It's a Blogiversary Giveaway!

8/22/12:  Comments closed!  
Thanks for the entries.  
Come back tomorrow for the winner!

Seriously, who forgets their blogiversary?

If that's even a word.  Well, it seems I missed my blog's first year anniversary. By more than a month!  On July 13, 2011, with this post, I began Teaching My Friends!  There were a handful of posts prior to then, but that is the date I consider the start of my blog.  I can't believe I missed it!

I have much to be happy about with this little blog.

• It has allowed me a place to keep track of some of what I've done over the past year.
• It has made me a more reflective teacher.
• It has led me to many other amazing blogs and fantastic teacher bloggers.  I've learned so much from all of you!
• It has allowed me to share ideas that have, hopefully, been helpful to others.  

That last one is a biggie.  I have said before in a few posts that I really believe we are stronger educators when we communicate and share ideas.  It is very easy to step in to your classroom, close the door, and just do your own thing.  Being a connected professional community makes us better at what we do.  So, thank you blog readers for making it happen.  I could easily blog without any followers or reader comments, but those are the things that keep me going!  I appreciate each and every one of you that takes the time to come by and read Teaching My Friends.

In honor of my first year blogiversary (Okay, I'm making it a word!) and in honor of YOU, I decided to do something to make it all the more special.  It's a Blogiversary Giveaway!  I've put together some goodies that I thought you might like.

What's in this fun little prize package?

1. A ten dollar gift card to Barnes & Noble - Get yourself a good read or buy a book for your friends.
2. An 8 GB bracelet flash drive - I love this!  I even got one for myself.  No worries about not having the flash drive with you.  It snaps on like a bracelet.
3. I'm a Star Reader bookmarks - I go through bookmarks like crazy with my friends, so I thought this is something we could all use.
4. Smiley face stickers - Stickers.  Enough said.
5. A big bar of Ghiradelli Chocolate - Milk chocolate with sea salt and roasted almonds.  Yeah, I got one of these for myself, too!  Treats for the teachers!  Let's just hope the winner doesn't get this delivery during a heatwave! :-D
6. A new copy of Swindle - After my post on the book, I thought it would be nice to give one away.

So, what do you have to do to win this little pile of goodies?

1. Leave a comment! Say anything! Or, let's keep it interesting and answer this one question:  What is one professional goal you have for yourself  this year?  One comment per a person, please.
2. Be in the United States.  I love, love, love that I have blog friends visiting from other countries, but my little teacher salary just can't support international shipping!    
3. If you are feeling it, please follow my blog.  While that would be appreciated, you don't have to follow to win the loot. :-)  Everyone is welcome to enter.

The give-away closes on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time.  You have a week to enter.  I will randomly pick a winner from the comments and post that winner on Thursday, August 23, 2012.

By the way, my professional goal for this year is to do more professional reading on teaching reluctant readers.  I've been looking at some of the professional resources on the International Reading Association site, and there is a lot out there just waiting for me.  But, for now, I'm going to enjoy my last two weeks of summer.  September 4th will be here before I know it!

Thank you, thank you, thank you 

blog readers for making it all happen!

Happy Blogiversary to Us!