The number 13

You ever get in one of those funks that you just can't seem to get out of no matter what you do?  Yea- well this is me right now.  Luckily it's only been 2 weeks but I sure hope it doesn't take me the rest of the quarter to get out of it.  

You might be wondering what that has to do with the number 13. I think writing this down might help me get out of this funk, so here goes...

For as long as I can remember, 13 is a symbolic number in my family.  So many things happen on the 13th.  I was born on the 13th, my youngest sister was born on the 13th, my grandparents moved to Florida on the 13th, to lot number 13, the Luke Bryan concert I was going to attend was on the 13th (duh this is totally significant! :)) among many other things.  My grandfather also passed away on the 13th - and the 13 year anniversary of his death will be March 13 this year.  Exactly 1 month before the 13 year anniversary of my grandfathers entry to heaven - my family and I buried my Uncle/Godfather , my grandfathers son, and sent him to eternal rest. 

 For the past 2 weeks, I keep asking myself, why? Why do good people get taken from us too soon.  Why does this have to happen to my family - a good loving family who tries to do as much good as we can? Why?

 But then, I remember the number 13 - and oddly - I find comfort in that.  Because, for us, 13 isn't a bad number, and it isn't unlucky.  It's a symbol of happiness, new adventures, and love.   And even though my grandfather and uncle passed into eternal rest on the 13th - I know it was because they were no longer needed here on this Earth, but needed by the hands of God to help pour out the rain- and they left us on the 13th so that we could find comfort in their new journey.  Today I am thankful for the number 13.

Thanks for reading! I have so many teaching ideas to share with you and hopefully getting this off my chest will help me get my behind moving!

I'm a guest blogger!

Yup, you read that right... I'm a guest blogger!! Hooray!

Thank you so much to Rachel Lynette for this fantastic opportunity!! Head on over to her blog to read about using The Workshop Model in the Classroom :).

Bright Ideas: Using Kidblog to Engage Student Writing

Whether this is your first stop or you've be hoppin' for a while- Welcome to the Bright Ideas Blog Hop hosted by the oh so fabulous, Shelley Gray!  I'm here today to share a great technology tool with you!

How many of you have those kids who hate, I mean really hate writing?  They are the ones who will sit there for a 30 minutes writing block and get 2 words on the paper.  Their go to responses are usually "I don't know what to write" or "I'm thinking".  I have a fun way to get them writing and engaging with other writers in their class using.. drum roll..

Kidblog is a great, free tool for teachers to use in their classroom.  Signing up is really simple.  You sign up for an account, put in your students names, give them a password, and viola.  The blog is totally protected.  Nobody but you and your students can read and interact.  And teaching my 2nd graders was a lot easier than I thought!  

It's pretty simple.  They can use the profile button to name their blog and add a picture of themselves. ( I had my kids add pictures at home if their parents allowed them to.)

And everything they need to access is right on the home screen (If they've navigated away from the page, they just have to click the Class Blog Button up on the top)

 You can ask kids to create their own post or reply to a question/prompt posted by you!

My favorite part of all this is that it has gotten my most reluctant writers to begin to enjoy writing!  They get to read other students writing, respond to them, and get responses on their own writing and it's always so rewarding to get some comments (something to look forward to).  We use it for reading, writing, science, social studies and even homework.  My kiddos LOVE to get on at home and leave comments for friends.  

It has truly made a wonderful difference for all of my kids in my room.  So why not go give it a try? What do you have to lose? :)

If you are looking for more great ideas, please visit the next blog on this blog hop. written by Lydia Furtado over at Owl be in Kindergarten.  She's sharing some great ideas on moving to learn! Alternatively, you may visit the link-up below and choose a topic that interests you.  Thanks for visiting!