Indiana Blogger Meet-Up

Today is the DAY!!  Indiana Blogger Blog Hop!  

You are in for a treat!

Start the fun at this page!!

Wow!! I had an amazing time at our Indiana Blogger Meet-Up two weeks ago in French Lick, Indiana. I was able to meet so many fun and passionate teachers. If that doesn't get you excited about your job, then I don't know what does! A HUGE thank you to Holly Ehle for putting it all together! She absolutely rocked it!!!

After I attended the Blogger Meet-Up I met some AMAZING people that I now follow through Facebook, Instagram, and their blogs.  It has been such a great experience for me because I've been able to learn so much from.  I've learned various teaching strategies, methods, resources to use, and how to make my blog more sophisticated!  I cannot thank my fellow teacher friends enough for their  support and guidance!  If you ever have an opportunity to attend a blogger meet-up I highly encourage it because there are so many opportunities available to you!

The decorations at our event were adorable!  Compliments of schoolgirl style.com - you should check her out! We had a fabulous lunch while we mingled with one another.  I was able to sit next to Abbie Jinnings and Allison Stuckey.  They were AWESOME!  They inspired me to start making TPT products and got me started on a Facebook Group.  Wow - they are super motivating.  Check them out at: http://stuckeyinsecond.blogspot.com and http://talesfromthefirstgrade.blogspot.com. We also were given the chance to enter our names in the raffle for some prizes and for the I Teach K conference this summer in Vegas.  That was a biggie!!  After we ate, we played a fun teacher swap game where each person brought a teaching tool to swap as a gift! I was so fortunate to receive these awesome pens!!

Teacher Swap Gift!

I will be using these in my classroom often! I actually already have.  The gift that I brought consisted of items for SKILL BOXES.  Check back later to see my post on skill boxes - I LOVE them and it is great for differentiation!!  Also, during the meet-up we were given coupons for Erin Condron products so I purchased my first Erin Condron planner. I am obsessed!!! I am using these fun colored pens to organize my planner!

You should totally check out Erin Condron.  It is totally worth it!

My RAFFLE PRIZE!

Holly was fortunate enough to receive some awesome prizes to give away!  I won items from Crayola!! I was in heaven!! School supplies are my absolute favorite!! Check out all the goodies I received!

I use the washable markers constantly! As well as the dry erase crayons.  The crayons are nice to use because they don't wipe off as easily.  I also enjoy the markers because during our reading group block we rotate students based on their ability-so in order for their teacher to know how their student behaved they receive a number on their hand.  These markers work perfect because they don't stick on their hands forever!  I would definitely recommend these products!  Thanks Crayola!!

During the Meet-Up I learned some great ideas:

1.  I learned how to create a TPT product using PowerPoint.  Greg Smedley (http://www.thekindergartensmorgasboard.com) showed us how to download and purchase various fonts, clip arts, borders, and backgrounds.  He also suggested to save the items using a folder on your computer and name the folder the creator of the product so that when you are making your Thank You page you know who to give credit to.  This was genius!  It seems simple - but it's the little things you don't think about!

2.  I learned how to create a Facebook Group so that I could get more followers, as well as parents involved in their child's education.  This is such an easy way to communicate with parents since so many use social networking.  Abbie Jinnings and Allison Stuckey gave me various tips on how to get my Facebook Group up and running as well as attract followers.  Therefore, I have been giving away free products to the first five people that comment/re-post my product.  This is a great way to advertise and share with others!  Teachers are always collaborating and working together to create the best learning environment for our kiddos!

3.  I learned how to make a fun backdrop on my computer so that I can save it for my To-Do lists.  This idea came from Amanda Pauley and you can visit her at http://mrspauleyskindergarten.blogspot.com.

Check out some of my new friends from the trip!

This is a picture of the friends I went with.  I am so lucky to teach with friends that are as passionate as I am!  I went with Haley Ringwald (my sister), Sierra Lang, Penny Burley, Maja Austin, and Stephanie McCullough.  We had a blast!!

Check out Maja Austin's blog at http://kookykinders.blogspot.com.  She has some great ideas!!

Now the part you have been waiting for...the prizes!!

If you follow the blog hop all the way to the end (which you will want to so that you can learn all these new tricks!) you have a chance to win ALL of these cool prizes!!  Holly Ehle organized all of these goodies!!

Now it is time for you to go to the next blog!  I hope you have enjoyed my blog - please come back and visit!!  There are always fun posts as well as free items posted for YOU!

Visit Mrs. Banister's Kindergarten Kids!