{Meet the Author} Amanda from Teaching Maddeness

Hi everyone!  It's Amanda Madden from Teaching Maddeness.  I always feel it's necessary to put my last name so you'll understand that the name of my blog is a play on my name - and not just think that I can't spell. :)

I am so excited to be a part of this new collaborative blog that is geared toward grades 2 and 3.  I've taught 2nd grade for 16 years now {geez...did I just put that in writing??} and think it is the absolute best age EVER!  How could you not love their enthusiasm for learning??  I am National Board Certified in Early Childhood {just renewed that last year - whew!} and have my Masters in divergent learning.  You could say that I love being a student, as well as a teacher!

I feel blessed to have spent my entire teaching career in 2nd grade, but I often feel that 2nd grade gets "lost" in workshops and inservices, as it doesn't really fit with K/1 but usually gets lumped in with them anyway!  I love the idea of putting grades 2 and 3 together for a collaborative blog and know that you will learn a ton from the other AMAZING authors here!

Now, to tell you a little bit more about myself.  I am a strong believer that a picture is worth a thousand words, so I hope this little collage of pics will help me out.

I am a southern girl, born and raised, but am actually more of a city-girl at heart.  I live in upstate South Carolina with my husband, a cat, and two Boxers.  I am a sports fanatic and can be found at all of the home games for my Carolina Gamecocks during football season.  My husband and I love to attend concerts and go to many each year.  Right now, I'm looking forward to Bruno Mars {in August} and Maroon 5 (again) {in September}.  We also LOVE Halloween...I would probably keep my house decorated and throw on random costumes year-round if it were acceptable! ;)  I'll jump at any chance to throw a themed-party!  I have a love for adrenaline sports, not shared by my husband, and LOVE to skydive, bungee jump, parasail, rock climb...I'll try most anything!  I'm a super girlie girl who loves to wear dresses and high-heels.  I put jalapenos on everything.  I read as much as possible and watch WAY too much reality television.

I hope you've been enjoying all of the fantastic freebies being shared during the "Meet the Authors" series here...I know I have! :)  I have another exclusive freebie for you that I hope you will be able to use in your classroom.  Speaking of "Meet the Authors"....

I LOVE to teach reading and will take any chance I get to do a read-aloud in my classroom.  I set aside a "read-aloud" time in my schedule each day, even though I actually read books all throughout the day in the subjects I'm teaching.  Each month, in my scheduled "read-aloud time", I read aloud at least one chapter book, but I also take the time during our read-aloud block to focus on one author each month.  As we read books by that author, we talk about the author's "fingerprints" - the things that the author does that sets his/her work apart from other authors.  As we focus on each author, we create a little bulletin board of the things we discover.  These "Meet the Authors" signs are a great starting point for the bulletin board and give the students a glimpse of what the author looks like and provides a little background information on them.  You would be surprised at how often the authors' "fingerprints" start showing up in students' writing - whether it be onomatopoeia inspired by Robert Munsch, detailed borders inspired by Jan Brett, or voice inspired by Mo Willems!  It makes my heart happy! :)

This pack of "Meet the Authors Signs" contains 10 authors, as shown below.  Click on either of the images to download the freebie!

If you would like Pack #1 that I previously shared on my personal blog, you can click here to snag those, too!  I look forward to this exciting new venture for grades 2 and 3 and can't wait to share more ideas with you!

I'd love to have you come follow my blog, Teaching Maddeness, by clicking below.