Bloggiesta!

Bloggiesta September 28-30, 2012

It's time for the fall Bloggiesta 

hosted by Danielle at There's a Book and Suey at It's All About Books. 

Bloggiesta helps bloggers focus on their blog for a weekend twice a year. 

We have decided to participate in Bloggiesta again! It's always a blast and we get so much done. 

If you've been thinking about spiffing up your blog, this is the perfect chance to see what 

other bloggers are doing and to take the time to do what you need to do. Make sure to 

check out all the mini-challenges offered this weekend! 

Step one for us is always creating a to-do list. Gotta love it. 

We'll be sure to share everything we accomplished on Monday during the meme! 

1. Create a list of goals!

2. Log the hours we put into work on the blog: JEN __0__  KELLEE __6__

3. 5. Reworking Widgets including Pinterest "Pin It" button by the other social media buttons

4. Rethink in regards to Common Core

6. New background? New banner? 

8. Update 2012 Challenges Page: JEN  KELLEE

9. Check on My Copyright settings

10. Schedule reviews/posts 

11. Record We Believe in Picture Books video and share JEN

and

Bloggiesta! March 30-April 1

Jen and I are very excited to participate in this year's Bloggiesta (Ole!) 

hosted by There's a Book and It's All About Books. We're thrilled that Bloggiesta is back!

Here is how Bloggiesta works:
1. Make up a to do list to complete over the weekend to "spiffify" your blog.
2. Compete in mini-challenges and connect with other bloggers through Twitter or blog hops.

It's that easy! You can visit Danielle and Suey's blog for more info!

Here is our To Do list: 

• Update 2012 Challenges Page  JEN   KELLEE
• Update 2012 Book Lists Page  JEN   KELLEE
• Update Labels Page
• Update Review Policy Page
• Update Who We Are Page  JEN   KELLEE
• Reorganize pages in general
• Update sidebar content JEN KELLEE
• Update blogroll JEN KELLEE
• Contact authors for our blogiversary celebration in May!!! JEN KELLEE
• Write interview questions for blogiversary authors. JEN KELLEE (and I sent them off too!)
• Plan other blogiversary celebration fun!!!
• Create spring break #bookaday Animoto  JEN  KELLEE (gotta learn how! So, I think my school has an account so I am waiting until break is over to check there before signing up for Animoto.)
• Review some books we've read and loved ( _6_ reviews scheduled)
• Schedule upcoming posts (non-reviews) JEN _4_ (woo hoo!) KELLEE _2_ 
• Record and upload April vlog 
• Set up It's A-Okay to Reread in April kickoff post
• Look into setting up a Facebook page I did it! We have a FB page: http://www.facebook.com/TeachMentorTexts
• Set up link back to our blog when someone cuts and pastes  This is awesome! I used Tynt.

We'll be updating our progress throughout the weekend so you can see
what we accomplish during this installment of Bloggiesta!

 and

Bloggiesta 01/11 Finish Line!

Well, my friends, Bloggiesta has come to a close for me!  I had fun and got a lot accomplished...although I seem to still be scared of reaching out to publishers.  I just wish there was a way to do it and know I wouldn't be bothering any one.  I'm going to work on this even though I didn't get it accomplished this weekend.  Even though there is a lot that goes into being a book blogger, it is so much fun. I love books and I love the community and fellowship I have experienced from starting this blog and connecting with others.  I love books and reading and I truly believe that the social aspect of books and reading is critical.  More and more, I find myself talking to strangers about books and ending up with the best conversations.  Books link people together.  It's amazing.  I love that as a teacher I get to interact with my students and get them excited about books through my passion with sharing books with them.  Students need to practice reading to get better at reading and if I can get them motivated to read something then that's helping them be better readers.  What does this have to do with Bloggiesta?  I got so much accomplished and this weekend helped me make improvements to my blog that help me feel even more proud of what I'm doing here at Teach Mentor Texts.  I hope you like what you see and come back and visit!  Thanks again to Natasha at Maw Books for hosting Bloggiesta!
 

Bloggiesta Is Here Again!

Believe it or not, the last time I participated in Bloggiesta I was 4 weeks away from delivering the little Bird!  Crazy.  At that point it was imperative that I get posts ready to go while I was busy having the baby and bringing him home.  Now he's already 6 months old!  It'll take lots of help from my hubby to get my Bloggiesta schwerve on this weekend, but it's definitely happening!

I created a nice, healthy list of things I'm planning to get accomplished this Bloggiesta-filled weekend!  Here goes:

1. Create a list of goals for Bloggiesta.

2. Log the hours I put into the blog for Bloggiesta: _____9 hours!___. Hmm...I kind of lost track after that...

3. Update my 2010 book list page.

4. Create/start my 2011 book list page.

5. Update my "Labels" page.

6. Add a Goodreads widget...I hope this is even possible...

7. Figure out how to post my vlog I created yesterday

...I might have to split it and post because it didn't want to upload yesterday...might be too long?

8. Update my links to blogs I like.

9. Write AND SEND e-mails to those publishers I added to my list 

from last time that I wanted to contact for books to review. (This still makes me nervous...)

10. Read the graphic novels I checked out from the library - 3/4 completed.

*The two I read are absolutely perfect for a post...excited!

11. Schedule posts for January - 3/3 completed.

12. Schedule posts for February - 1/8 completed.

13. Choose a challenge to commit to for 2011. 3 actually!

14. Upload the audiobooks I just got (3/3 uploaded).

15. Check out what others are doing for Bloggiesta.

16. Get books from library by Tim Green, Kathryn Lasky, Mark Teague, and "Weird" Al Yankovic (who I'll get to see at Anderson's Children's Literature Breakfast in February!)  

Didn't get to the library this weekend...Monday PM for sure!

I did make a list so I know where I'm going at the library! "Weird" Al's picture book doesn't come out until February 1st!

Mini-Challenges:

17. Add myself to blog directories.

18. Create a favicon. I did it!  Thanks to my Twitter friend and my friend Marc!

19. Create a gravatar.

20. Analyze/Grade my blog - not bad!

21. Read about organizing any reviews of books - entered dates on iCal.

22. Joined a meme...not sure this is really a mini-challenge, but I did it!

Whew!  I'm tired just looking at this list!  Can I do it?  I'm not sure there are enough minutes 

in the next few days, but I'm gonna try my best!  Hard is necessary!

 

Bloggiesta Mr. Linky/Linky Tools Mini-Challenge

I am thrilled to be hosting a mini-challenge for Bloggiesta!  Thank you to Natasha at Maw Books for this opportunity!  I participated in June and I got so much accomplished so I can't wait to see what I can get done this weekend (sorry in advance to my hubby who'll see me glued to my computer all weekend...).
If you have ever wanted to set up your own Mr. Linky so other bloggers can link up to your post then this is the mini-challenge for you!  I have to admit that I've never done a Mr. Linky before...but that makes this the perfect mini-challenge for me.

Setting up a Mr. Linky is actually quite possibly the easiest thing 

you can do now that I've gone through the process.  Here it is step-by-step:

1. Register on the Mr. Linky site: here's the link for the registration page.

They will send you a confirmation number to the e-mail address 

you use that you will have to enter to confirm you registration.

2. Once you are registered then you can click on the page across the top 

that says "Wizard."  It will take you to a page that looks like this:

3. On the Wizard page you have to select which server you use for your blog 

and the type of widget you want to create.  After you've made your choices you click "Generate code." 

4. From here it's a little hard to explain what to do next.  The next page will give you a 

box with some code in it.  Mr. Linky will explain where you have to embed that code.  I use 

Blogger so it explained that I have to copy the code into my HTML after I write my post.  

You will have to read about what to do based on which server hosts your blog for you.

On the Mr. Linky site they also explain the different Linkies they have available.  With the free registration you can get Image-Linkies or Original Auto-Linkies.  You can upgrade your 

subscription to a Silver membership for $5, a Gold membership for $10, or a 

Platinum membership for $20.  Upgrading your membership gives you 

access to different kinds of linkies.  

Another option for being able to ask other bloggers to link up to your post is to use Linky Tools.  

Here are the step-by-step instructions for using Linky Tools:

1. Register for Linky Tools here.  

(After you enter the funky human-identification code, you type in all your information.)

2. After you register and login, it should take you to your dashboard, if not, 

you can click where it says "Your Dashboard" from the page choices at the top.  

3. From the dashboard, you have to choose which kind of linky you want to 

create from the drop-down menu on the right-hand-side.  (The picture is kind of small, 

but you can see there is a green arrow and a white box.)

4. After you choose the kind of linky you want, you can enter in all the information you want to include and the dates that it will be available and click "Click here and continue to get your code."

5. Your new linky will be listed on your linky dashboard now.  

6. On the dashboard there will be a blue link that says "Get Code".  If you click on that it will open up a new window that gives you code for Blogger and other Javascript blogs or FREE Wordpress blogs and others that do not allow Javascript.  I don't think this part is as clear compared to the Mr. Linky instructions, but I think you just embed the code the same way you would for Mr. Linky.

I don't have much experience with either of these other than having 

registered myself so I would love if you give me some feedback on your 

experience with either of these or another linky site out there.  

By leaving me a comment, you will be eligible for publisher sponsored prizes 

at the end of this glorious Bloggiesta weekend!

Also, if you accept the challenge and create your own linky you can link up here!

 

Bloggiesta Wrap-Up!

Whew!  I'm pooped!  Is it bad that I'm tired of sitting?  Sheesh.  I'm ready to curl up in bed with a book!

I have to say that I got a ton accomplished this weekend with Bloggiesta though!  I'm so glad I joined in and really committed to getting things done.  I'm a little bit on overload at this point, but the good news is I have done so much that I can give myself some time off!  I can focus on reading all the new blogs I have found this weekend and less on writing my own content.  Oh, and I can do some more reading!

So here is my list:

1. Create a list of goals! DONE

2.  Log the hours I put into my blog: Total time spent    15   hours . DONE

3. Set up stats - via There's A Book mini-challenge. DONE

4. Set up Google docs for giveaway next week. DONE

5. Research what I have to do to apply for copy right - possibly apply for copyrights. DONE

6. Schedule posts for June.  DONE

7. Schedule posts for July - 6 DONE!!!

8. Write non-review posts - about activities that go with books? - not sure what this is going to be...DONE

9. Research and create a list of publishers to contact. DONE

10. Make a list of bloggers I would like to collaborate with - develop ideas for contacting them. DONE

11. Enter Book Blogger Appreciation Week. DONE

12. Load up on books at the library. DONE

13. Update my TBR list. DONE

14. Plan giveaway for Got Books event. DONE

15. Design business card - research where to get printed. DONE

The main thing I still have to work on is getting posts scheduled for July.  I wouldn't worry so much about getting ahead, but with the baby coming, I want to get as much ahead as I can, or at least started on things so I can tweak and just add simple things if I need to after the baby comes.  

I really liked the min-challenges, even though I didn't really officially do them all.  I knew what I wanted to get done so I just focused on that, but I'll definitely do them next time.  I'm super happy that I have ideas for collaborating with other bloggers.  I intended to start this blog to simply review and share books with teachers but now I realize how I can share more about what makes a reader and reader and hopefully use that to give insight as to how to help kids become readers.  I can't wait to contact the bloggers I found this weekend and see if they'll be part of the new feature I came up with this weekend.  You'll have to check back to see what it's all about!!!!

Thanks Maw Books for hosting this Bloggiesta, I loved it! 

Bloggiesta Is Here!

This weekend I'm participating in Bloggiesta - a book blogging event that's all about devoting time to working on my blog!  I'm super excited.  I'm going to try and get in as much work on my blog as possible, amidst my 30th birthday celebration, hopefully seeing Killers (with Ashton Kutcher!!!!!) with my hubby, and getting the house organized for Baby Bean to make his/her debut (less than 4 weeks!).  Here are my goals for the Bloggiesta weekend:

1. Create a list of goals!

2.  Log the hours I put into my blog: Current time spent    15   hours .

3. Set up stats - via There's A Book mini-challenge.

4. Set up Google docs for giveaway next week.

5. Research what I have to do to apply for copy right - possibly apply for copyrights.

6. Schedule posts for June.

7. Schedule posts for July - 6 done!!!

8. Write non-review posts - about activities that go with books? - not sure what this is going to be...

9. Research and create a list of publishers to contact.

10. Make a list of bloggers I would like to collaborate with - develop ideas for contacting them.

11. Enter Book Blogger Appreciation Week.

12. Load up on books at the library.

13. Update my TBR list.

14. Plan giveaway for Got Books event.

15. Design business card - research where to get printed.

Okay, 15 things to do - that seems possibly do-able but at the same time enough of a challenge.  I'm hoping to get these things done or at least log 12 hours during this weekend.  I can do it!  Thanks in advance to my wonderful hubby for putting up with me being glued to my laptop all weekend...