Welcome to the #TransformEdFreeGiveaway!
This is a special contest and blog post, as it celebrates my blog exceeding over 2 million views! I have been planning a blog bonanza since our big milestone in February, however, had more to coordinate than I realized!
It began as an effort to highlight the work of my favourite bloggers, while also giving away some freebies that I knew educators would love. Contacting all of these amazing individuals and organizing their information became a little tricky (especially with my baby's sleeping schedule and my course load), so I decided to write it from my own perspective instead. Hopefully they don't mind!
I will therefore, be featuring my favourite blogs and of course explaining how to win the giveaway!
What is included in this summer giveaway?
- Book "The power of emergent curriculum" and Ministry Document "How does learning happen" donated by Carol Anne Wien
- Book "Loose parts" donated by Louise Kool & Galt
- Pencil shoes donated by The Number W Etsy shop
- Bouquet of flowers for your classroom donated by Lolo Floral
- Gift certificate for a professional learning workshop donated by ECCDC ($50.00 value)
- Crayola materials donated by Crayola Canada
How can you win?
- Follow me on instagram and like the contest giveaway picture @joannebabalis
- Leave a comment here (below) sharing with our online community the blogs that you recommend and why you appreciate their content.
Winners will be notified within the blog comment section on Monday, July 18th, 2016. Since there are 6 prizes, there will be 6 lucky contestants! Everyone who leaves a comment of their blog suggestions will be entered into this random draw and mailed their item(s).
Don't forget to spread the word about this giveaway to any educators or parents!
Good luck!
What blogs do I feel inspired by?
There are so many bloggers that I love and admire! I decided that the best way for me to introduce you to them, is by genre. In case I miss someone, please add their amazing link to the comment section below. I am sure that there are many blogs out there that I haven't even had the chance to read. My hope is that this post can be a space for us to refer back to together, as a resource!
In each section I have intentionally chosen only one blogger to place the spotlight on their commitment to the blogsphere. These blogs are updated on a weekly/monthly basis and each of these 10 incredible people are committed to posting rich content for their audiences. Some blogs have been around for years, while others are newer to this online platform. Regardless, it inspires me to see their dedication, especially since most of them have full-time careers and young families. For those of who are writing blogs, you can very well testify that they are almost like a job in themselves! To me, however, it will always be an enjoyable hobby!!!
So here goes...
Please note that there is no specific order and that many of these bloggers can be represented in multiple genres. For the purposes of this post, I have selected one area that they specialize in!
Early Learning Blog
- Technology Rich Inquiry Based Research - I appreciate this blog, as it engages my passion for the early years. Diane has a way of sharing important topics that many of us in the field are wondering about! She grounds her posts in current research, and communicates her thinking in a way that is clearly understood by the readers. If you are an early childhood educator you will discover a lot of information here.
- A quote that remained with me -
"To think critically is to examine reality beyond the surface - to see and think more deeply. When you think critically, you ponder questions of who, what, where, when, how, and, most importantly, why. Everyone has the ability to use the power of their mind to integrate thinking and practice... It is your professional responsibility to think deeply and be a disrupter of the status quo!"
Photography Blog
- Anna with love - Each photo truly tells a story and I love how real Anna is with her writing! She will captivate you and take you to dreamy destinations on a weekly basis! Not to mention that every image is filled with creativity and flair! This blog always brightens up my day and sends positive vibes my way! I hope that her genuine personality and design details make you smile too.
- Posts I adore -
- A quote that remained with me -
"The world is filled with beautiful, kind people if you're looking for them! Smile at a stranger, wish someone a good day or simply hold the door open for someone else... I want to focus more on sprinkling on the kindness in the little moments each day and incorporating it into the blog. Bringing light to all the wonderful people in this world and focusing on them! Kindness is contagious...pass it on!"
Education Blog
- Living Avivaloca: My many musings on life and learning - I love this blog's energy and consistent content. Sometimes it boggles my mind how Aviva finds the time to share her sincere journey with others. If you are an educator you will find plenty of food for thought here! I also appreciate that each post has links for further readings and research.
- Posts I adore -
- A quote that remained with me -
"For documentation today, we decided to spend more time watching individual and/or small groups of students. We are working on interrupting less and watching/listening more. This is an area that we continue to focus on, but by really spending time with different groups today, we noticed interests from before re-emerging, and students building on prior learning to create new learning."
Art and Creativity Blog
- Handmade Charlotte - If you enjoy diy projects, crafts and recipes, then you are in for a real treat with this creative blog! I don't know where Rachel finds the time with five children, but she certainly makes it look effortless! Once you visit her blog, I am sure that you will feel motivated to make something fun with your family!
- Posts I adore -
- A quote that remained with me -
"Can you imagine letting your kids decorate their own room? And the whole house? ... [They will] find creative and original solutions and [they will] turn [a] home into a unique space."
Leadership Blog
- The Higher Education Revolution - Debbie Donsky - Whenever I am in need of some updates around educational issues, I know where to go! The quality of writing and thinking within this blog always leaves me reflecting about learning, leadership, innovation, and creativity. As a fellow academic, her journey inspires me not to give up on my own, and I love how she has incorporated her own visual representations within many of the posts!
- Posts I adore -
- A quote that remained with me -
"Innovation happens when people take risks with their creativity, problem solving, and actions. If innovation is encouraged in schools, then the leader's job is to create the conditions where it can happen... It is wonderful to have opportunities for inspiration with colleagues but in the end, an idea is nothing but ether if it is not tied to action within your organization."
Lifestyle Blog
- Bonjour Bliss - When I find myself in search of ideas for any/every area of my life, I visit Roxanne's blog! She writes about her home decor projects, recipes, fashion, beauty tips, travel, events around Toronto, and experiences with her two adorable children. I love her visual layout, relatable content, and how each of her posts has you craving for more!
- Posts I adore -
- A quote that remained with me -
"On the family front we are all doing well, the kids are growing like weeds and to be honest it's fulfilling yet heart wrenching..."
Fashion Blog
- Bijuleni - If you love fashion and colour, then you have come to the right place! I love this bloggers fun style and well planned posts. From her cute accessories to the stylish backdrops, she will have you curious for more! Eleni is super sweet and makes her audience feel as though they know her. Overall I love her fresh perspective and honest advice!
- Posts I adore -
- A quote that remained with me -
"The only person that will give you exactly what you want is yourself. You know what you want, you know what you need, you know what will make you happy and what will not. Romantic love will embellish your life, but you do not need romantic love to bloom. Let's learn to love what is within first. Be kind to your inner core, understanding to your needs, give your wants a little joy, be forgiving to the mistakes you have made, be loving towards the image you see in the mirror."
Food Blog
- Dine and Fash - This foodie's blog makes the simple act of eating always look like a gourmet experience. My mouth literally waters every time that I read her posts! I love how thoughtfully Krystle captures each moment that she highlights from her dining experiences, outfits, or travels. If you are ever looking for a new restaurant to visit in the TDot, she has written several reviews with photographs of both her meal and the ambiance.
- Posts I adore -
- A quote that remained with me -
"We are constantly being bombarded with information and there is so much to filter through from various channels, so the few minutes it can take to read (or scroll through) a blog post alone can be a lot. Admittedly, I never really paid attention to anyone's blog until I started my own. Now, I find myself actively seeking blogs out, since I can really appreciate all of the hard work that goes on in the background to put together even a short post."
Technology Blog
- The Spicy Learning Blog - This is more than a techie blog, even though I must admit that it's why I first started following it! Royan provides an interesting perspective of our changing times from the point of view of an educator and father. I am currently loving his #MyWorkflow series where various educators who are active creators on social media are featured to share how they do their work. I recommend that you join in on the conversation!
- Posts I adore -
- A quote that remained with me -
"Should our schools and systems leverage their own students as actual teachers of the adults? If education in this age demands a learner's stance from all stakeholders, then when will we actually formally (not just through poetic observation) learn from the students? Are they not capable? Are there not certain things they are inherently better at teaching us than our middle aged peers and colleagues?"
Parenting Blog
- The Sweeter Side of Mommyhood - The writer of this blog, Jacquie is an artsy mama to three precious girls! I absolutely love how she posts about her family, art/design ideas, recipes and photography so seamlessly together. It is obvious when you visit her online space, that blogging has become her creative outlet. I feel so grateful that she is willing to share her projects online!
- Posts I adore -
- A quote that remained with me -
"I posted a photo on instagram of the empty bookshelf, hoping my friends and family would want to give me a few books to fill it up. The response I got from that photo was astounding. Everyone wanted to donate books! Thus was born Gracie's Gift of Words in honour of my kids, but mostly as a way for me to personally say thank you to the hospital, the doctor's and the nurses who have given us incredible care."
* * * * *
Collectively all of these bloggers have inspired me in some way and I have certainly learned a lot from them. I continue to admire their commitment to blogging and enjoy reading about their passion.
Sending a whole lot of blog LOVE their way today, and always!!!
What blogs are currently inspiring you?
Are you reading a variety across genres, or focusing solely upon education?
Before ending this post, I would like to extend a HUGE THANK YOU for your ongoing support and readership to my blog! As many of you know, I started off writing about my early learning and kindergarten journey. Now I would like to think the blog is a space for passion for the early years, creativity, and a piece of documentation from my own life.
Without you, we would have never made this incredible milestone! THANKS 2 million + times over!!! I promise to continue to blog as much as possible!
Enjoy the contest and of course your very well-deserved summer vacation!
A flower does not think of competing with
the other flower next to it.
It just blooms.
-Unknown author
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