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Ericas Ed-Ventures

Primary Education Ideas

Happy New Year – Ask Me Anything!

Happy New Year to all my fabulous bloggy friends.  It has been almost a year since I started blogging and my TpT sales took off.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your supportive comments and of course your purchases!  My particular favorite comment was Erika‘s comment on my Gingerbread Cookie Mess, where she said it was nice to see my less than perfect side.  I am flattered that any of you out there think I am perfect, I am a bit of an overachiever, but I am NOWHERE NEAR PERFECT.  So thanks, that made me laugh.  I also loved the comments I received on my “You Get What You Get and You Don’t Get Upset” post.  I had no idea that “Get” and “Fit” rhyme in some parts of the United States.  I had to make another post “You Get What You Get and You Don’t Throw a Fit.”  So many of you followers and bloggers are from the South! After reading your posts and comments, I feel like throwing a “Y’all” or “Shut the Front Door” into this post ala my blogging idols  Deanna Jump or Babbling Abby.  I don’t know what would constitute slang here in New Yawk, but I am sure there are things I say that are not familiar to you, too.

I want to give a big shout out to Cara Carroll of The First Grade Parade for designing my blog way back when.  I love it.  And to Kristen of Ladybug’s Teacher Files for designing Critters in the Classroom, so cute!  I am giving another shout out to my blogging bff’s Anna Brantely of Crazy for First, Cheryl Sauod of Primary Graffiti, and Rachelle Smith of What the Teacher Wants.  You ladies are always there for me when I need you.  Rachelle, I don’t know how you do it but you manage to comment on everything!  I love that a big time blogger/seller like you takes the time to comment.  For more blogging shout outs go to my “What I’m Thankful For” post.

So now for the Q & A!  What questions do you have for me?  I get so many emails and I try my best to answer all of the questions, but I bet many of you have the same questions.   I will compile these questions and answer them in a post.  So leave your question in the comments below.  BTW – The most common question I get asked is how to become a published author.  For that answer, go {here}.

Any easy way to ask me a quick question about a product or keep up with my blog posts is through my Facebook Fan page.  Click {here} to become a fan today.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. OK SERIOUSLY!!!! You just MADE MY DAY!!! You are so sweet!!

    I really make it a point to comment meaningful comments on different blogs that I visit. I remember when I had 4 followers on my blog and I LOVED anytime I got one comment. It's a karma thing! I also get really amazing ideas from others out there in blog land and I just gotta let them know how much I appreciate it! 🙂

    As for my questions for you….can it be a personal question?

    How in the world do you teach, have a blog, sell on TpT, have a social life, AND KEEP THAT ROCKIN' BODY??? Tell us your secrets!

    -Rachelle
    whattheteacherwants.blogspot.com

  3. I find myself repeating some of my dad's quirky sayings in the classroom. Once at a grade level meeting I threw out one of my "Dadism" sayings and my coworkers found it so funny! I grew up with it so didn't realize it was so comical. Happy New Year and kudos to all your accomplishments!

    Yearn to Learn Blog

  4. What advice would you have for someone who wants to get started on Teachers Pay Teachers? I am addicted to creating things for my classroom, and really want to get started sharing/selling them. However, I'm a little hesitant just because there are already sooo many great teacher-bloggers who create so many great products. Is it worth adding to the already great items that are there? Thanks for the help!!

  7. Oh Erica, thank you so very much!!! What a lovely thing to say! I am so glad to have met you this year 🙂

    My question is this: how do you balance everything? You always find the time to make the most incredible units!

    Happy New Year!
    Kristen 🙂

  8. Aww, this post gave me the warm and fuzzies! 🙂 Hope you have a great year! By the way, we say "You get what you get, and you don't throw a fit" in Ohio too! 🙂

  10. hi erica! i found your blog last summer while i was at home recuperating from a mastectomy. reading your blog and the many others helped to keep me occupied while i was stuck in my house. i appreciate so much the fun and passion that i found here about working with our little ones. i have been teaching for 30 years and am in no way ready to quit now…have found a new lease on life! thank you so much for sharing your hard work with us all…i have learned so much, and now want to do my own blog and make things to share. now how in the world do i get started??? oh, and i have always used the phrase " you get what you get and you don't fuss a bit"!
    susie in warm ga

  11. We say, "fit" in Indiana too! 🙂

    Rachelle, I have the same question as you!! LOL! Erica, maybe you should start a "Rockin' Body Blog."

    Jodi
    fun-in-first.blogspot.com

  12. A few things…
    Love your blog.
    Seriously…so impressed with Rachelle's commenting.
    AND…I need to know your 'rockin' body' secrets, too 🙂 Any tips for getting rid of 10 lbs. of extra baby belly SKIN?!?! GROSS.

    XOXO

    PS: I agree with Jodi. Start ANOTHER blog 😉

  13. Erica, happy new year! Your writing has been an inspiration to me. And, I LOVE the stuff you "pin" 🙂

    I want to ask a question about creating things to sell on TpT, etc.. I know where to find the graphics, but I'm wondering if you use a specific program to create your documents. I told my principal about TpT and she became very enthusiastic (which is unusual, as she has a perfect poker face!) and asked me when I would be opening an online store. Of course, that is a another question–does the school have any rights to something I make and sell?

    I'm in the heart of the midwest, but blogging seems to bring out the southern girl in me. I always have a southern accent going on in my head when I'm blogging!

    Have a great week! ReadWriteSing

  14. In some of your documents, you have cute backgrounds for like the entire page pretty much. Are those retrieved from a clipart website? If not, where do you get the backgrounds from? Also, what clipart websites do you prefer to use?

  15. I agree I am on board for the rockin body blog! (and pretty much everything else you write!!!)
    Thanks for being amazing and for sharing how to make it in the publishing world. I have a children's book written I just haven't done anything with it…
    Thanks so much for your comment! You made my day.

  16. You are TOO sweet, Erica!! This post had me smiling and made my day, too!! I really can't thank you enough for always being there for me ever since I started blogging/selling on TpT!! I know this is the year that we'll actually get to meet each other & I can't wait!!! We'll start talking details soon!!! Virtual hugs for now:)
    XOXO~Anna

  18. You are such an inspiration! Congratulations on all the goals you have accomplished in one short year! You rock! I am now a fan of your FB page. If you're interested in checking out my blog I would be flattered!

    Teach It With Class

  19. Any suggestions on how to organize all the TPT downloads I have bought over the last 8 months? I have tried putting them in pocket folders based on theme, math, literacy, but still find it overwhelming. I love your blog and find you amazing – accomplishing so much! Thanks for all your do.

  23. Hi Erica, you are such an inspiration and a source of TONS of ideas that I will totally "borrow" once I get a classroom of my own. My question is "What advice can you offer for a first time teacher?" I start my student teaching next semester and pray for a class of my own soon, and I want to soak up any advice you'd like to give.
    -Jenny

  24. Hey! Thank you for all your hard work! I do have a question for you. I noticed that you had a Amazon wish list. What items do you put on this list? Do parents donate them to your classroom?? Thank you!

  26. Ok seriously….there needs to be a like button similar to the one on facebook. Because I would totally be clicking it on some of your comments (Rachelle's for instance – love!). hee hee Anyways, my question for you is…how do I increase my followers? I'm close to my year mark (aka blog birthday) and am at a little over 600 followers and feel like I spin my wheels at times. What can I do to gain more and where do I go to get them? ha Congrats on your bloggiversary and thanks for your continued energy and ideas! You're an amazing teacher!
    Erin
    http://eberhartsexplorers.blogspot.com/

  27. I follow your blog, your fb, & your tpt store…so I obviously think you're pretty great! I have the same questions as a lot of others. After reading so many great teacher blogs the last few months, I finally decided to make my own over break. How do I get followers?? I've also started to try to create some of my own things (which will probably never be as great as yours-but I'll do my best!)! So thanks for all of the inspiration!

    Caitlyn
    slidinginto1st.blogspot.com

  28. Hi!
    I love your blog and like everyone else wonder how you manage to do it all?! Reminds me of the title of that movie/book, "How does she do it?"
    I am also interested in creating a TPT store because like so many others, I find myself creating sooo many worksheets and units for my classroom. However, I am dying to know where you get the uber cute clipart?? Do you have to purchase it?? Also, do you use Microsoft Word to create your documents or some other publishing software?
    Thanks for the opportunity to ask my burning questions!!