Spring Blogger Meet-Up Blog Hop

Just a couple of weeks ago I was part of a fabulous meet-up! I made so many friends and got to meet people I only stalked on blogs and Facebook. It was an awesome experience!!

Holly from Ehle Kindergarten Connections was the coordinator of this major event. She contacted a ton of vendors and got us all some amazing swag and the decorations were provided by Schoolgirl Style. It was an EVENT!

We ALL received not yet released Scento marker packs and Scento rainbow pens, Erin Condren gift cards, Vera Bradley bags, and Jamberry Nail samples.

There was also raffles for many great prizes including a SDE conference giveaway, Crayola products, Boogie Boards, and a Hue Document Camera.

I won classroom accessories from Creative Teaching Press. I can't believe how cute everything is! I am looking forward to hanging this in my classroom. Especially the number line!

We also were able to bring in a favorite tool for the Teacher Tool Swap. We played a cute game where we passed the wrapped tool left and right and left and so on. I brought a staple remover made by Tul. I LOVE my flat staple remover. It is so easy to take the staples out quickly and neatly.

I received Command Hooks. I am SO EXCITED that I got this because we are NOT allowed to hang anything on the walls... yet. We just moved into our new building over Christmas break and they are waiting for the paint to "cure". Uh huh! I am hoping they let up on that soon. I will still be a little OCD about my walls though because they are drywall, so these Command Hooks are absolutely perfect for me!!!

Our meet-up was not entirely giveaways and swaps. When you get that many like minded people in one room there is bound to be something to be learned. I actually already blogged last weekend about 3 Techie Blogger Tips that I learned. Simple to some, but eye opening to me. But there were a few things that I left out.

1) Pool Noodles as Base Ten Blocks:

OMG!!! Look at my group picture at the top. My friend, Connie, in the white sweater brought these as her Teacher Tool Swap. All I can say is, "WAHHHH WHY DIDN'T I WIN THIS!!!".

I have scoured stores around me to make them for my class and the "Polar Vortex" has delayed this creation. Kindergarten Smorgasboard blogged about them {here}. Basically you cut pool noodles into ten sticks and units and you have an oversized version of those little base ten blocks. I KNOW my kiddos will enjoy reviewing with these gems. Now if warm weather would please hurry up!

2) Pinterest by Mel D from Seusstastic:

We got a little sneak peek on what can be expected at the Las Vegas TPT conference. Let me just tell you that Melissa is the Queen of Pinterest. That's right... the QUEEN! Here is what I learned:

1st: Only pin from the blog post or be sure that the pin goes to a the correct place. People are pinning from you because you are finding valuable resources.

2nd: When creating a blog post be sure to also create a pin worthy picture (see my 3rd bullet point). People scan Pinterest quickly. It is so important to be able to catch their eye within 1-5 seconds. Think bright and bold plus give it a great description

3rd: When pinning be sure not to only self promote. Pinterest can be a great (free) promotion for yourself, BUT that will turn people off. Mel suggests pinning 5 other pins to your one.

3) Cools Apps shared by Dana from Common to the Core:

I am always so envious of those amazing jazzed up pics on Instagram, Pinterest, blogs, and Facebook. How do they do it? Dana shared a list of favorite photo editing apps.

-PicMonkey

-A Beautiful Mess- great app for your phone

-Phonto- you can use your fonts on your pics

SAY WHAT RIGHT?!

So many fabulous tips!

So, I am not here to brag about all of the AMAZING things we got. We were so excited about it we thought someone else should get in on the action too! You can enter to win ALL of the prizes pictured below and more. It that awesome or what?! Simply follow this hop all the way to the end to find the rafflecopter.

Good luck!

~Stacey