June 10, 2012

Missing the Good Old Days, Are You?

Alright. I've started typing and there is no turning back.

Warning...long post ahead... may contain some ranting... I apologize in advance.

My husband thinks it would be better to just go to bed, but I just have to know...

Has the world of blogging really changed so much in the past nine months?  

Admittedly, I have been out of the game most of the year.  There was an occasional post here and there, but there were also some months that were completely forgotten.  Y'all know. Teaching is consuming and exhausting.  By the time I got home each day I was doing well to make myself more than a bowl of cereal for dinner. But in the past nine months, it seems like a lot has changed and I just can't keep.

I used to log-in to my dashboard and find tons of cool ideas: lessons, crafts, projects, room decor, websites etc. It was teachers sharing information and ideas. I followed all kinds of different blogs because even if it wasn't my same grade level I could adapt an idea and make it work for myself and my class. I learned a lot from so many amazing teachers all over the country.

I think the key word here is IDEA.  That, to me, is what blogging is about. I love reading about ideas from other people.  What books have you read that your students loved?  What read alouds work best for different reading strategies?  How did you take a boring concept and bring it alive in the classroom?  What lessons did you teach and how did you do it?  Freebies and printables are nice.  I love them just as much as the next teacher, but what I'm really interested in is ideas.  I've got a bookshelf of books with worksheets. Now, they may not have all that adorable clip art and cute fonts, but they provide what a worksheet provides - practice.

So, here's what I don't understand.  What changed?  What memo didn't I get?  Now, I find a lot more reviews of products and promotions for TPT and TN.  I feel like I am being bombarded by advertisement and promotion everywhere I look.  All the giveaways have 35 ways to enter.  I just have to follow their blog, follow the five other blogs that are supplying something from their TPT store, follow all their stores, follow them on facebook, tweet about the giveaway, follow them on twitter, like the company on facebook.  OH MY GOSH! Why can't I just follow?  Why can't I just read your blog and share teaching ideas with you?  Why do I have to be connected 25 different ways?

AND, if I choose not to be connected in 25 different ways, is my blog no longer interesting?  Am I not relevant? Do I have to have a Facebook page?  How about a TPT store? I'm starting to feel very inadequate.  Perhaps I'm not equipped to be part of this new blogging phenomenon.  I just want to share some ideas and hopefully inspire a few other teachers along the way.  I don't have an arsenal of cute clip art or fonts.  I do have a love of books, a love of teaching, and a love of sharing and learning with others.  But, is that enough?

Now, please don't misunderstand me. I'm amazed at what teachers everywhere have created and I think TPT and TN are great.  I have even tried my hand at creating a Teachers Notebook account. (I have a whopping 4 items!) I get it  We spend a lot of time creating things for our classroom and these sites create a wonderful platform for teachers to share with each other and earn a little extra money for all the hard work.  That's awesome!  I just don't understand why that is what is flooding my dashboard. Perhaps, I'm just nostalgic for the good old days of blogging.  Am I the only one?



23 comments:

  1. Hi Amanda!
    I wish we could have met! I love to have found another local blogger! I think your rant is fair! I am guilty of sharing the TpT and TN items that I have created. I do also hope that I share the inspiring ideas and freebies along the way too. I appreciate your honesty and look forward to more ideas and inspiration along the way!

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    1. Hi Reagan! Thanks for reading my whole rant. I've just been feeling very overwhelmed with merchandise lately. I enjoy seeing all the TPT items, I just like the lesson ideas that go with them more. Hope to stay in touch… San Antonio teachers need to stick together. ~Amanda

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  2. Hey Amanda!!
    I just found your blog and I love it....right off of reading your latest post. I feel the same way after the 9 months of teaching 4th grade here in SA- I finally got back around to blogging. I feel like I came back and all of a sudden just blogging and sharing teaching ideas is not enough. I feel like I must jump thru hoops for my blog to relevant. :/ I'm excited to hear what else you have to say and the incredible ideas you have about teaching. :)

    Marisa
    http://mstinezskids.blogspot.com/

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  3. Hi Amanda,
    First of all....I'm glad to see you back blogging. I always loved reading you posts so can't wait to see what you have in store. I'm sorry you're feeling frustrated. I've just tried to kind of go with the flow and not "break rules" along the way. There are times too that I have felt totally overwhelmed and just "walk away" for a while. You have to do what works best for you:)

    4th Grade Frolics

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    1. Thanks for the advice Tara. I think getting back into the swing of things this summer. ~Amanda

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  4. I have to agree with you; it has become very much about selling product. I get that but I do find myself unsubscribing to blogs I used to love. I wish it was back to the ideas focus too. :)

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  5. Hey Amanda!
    I totally agree with you. I don't have a TPT or TN store and I don't have tons of free printables and what not. I feel like you took the thought right out of my head when you said "Is my blog not relevant?"
    Things have definitely changed just since I started blogging in February of 2011. Hang in there girl, maybe it will change back!

    Adventures in Teaching

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    1. Well, I think we are relevant and fantastic. I'm just going to stick to Tara's advice and do what works best for me. ~Amanda

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  6. Hi Amanda,

    Thank you for putting into words what I have been thinking for the past couple of months. I too, joined the blogging community to share ideas about teaching, and like you, have become a bit disappointed with some of my favourite bloggers, who now seem to just post about their latest TPT product!

    I don't mind if the blog contains links to a product, but I like to see some 'substance' to it, as well.

    I think you can take heart in knowing that there are probably quite a few teachers who feel the way you do...they just didn't have the guts/time/werewithal to actually blog about it! Kudos to you! :))

    msbsclassroomcapers.blogspot.ca

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    1. Thanks for the bravery comment Monica! You should have seen my husband when I was telling him about my post. He does not like it when I "make a scene" which I rarely do, but sometimes it is just therapeutic to let to out so you can move on, ya know? I totally agree with you about substance. Here's to hoping a few heard our message. ~Amanda

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  7. I feel the same way that you do, especially the giveaways! I don't even enter them anymore if it takes more than just adding a simple comment - I don't have time for all of the hoop jumping and I don't want my email being bombarded every single time that a random seller has uploaded a new product on TpT.
    April
    Johnson's Jungle

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    1. Ha! I just clicked away from a giveaway today. The post was a million miles long because of all the graphics of products. C'est la vie. Thanks for your support. ~Amanda

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  8. I feel the same way! I get really overwhelmed by the giveaways sometimes too. I just try to focus on what I want to focus on, which is great ideas and great blogs. It's a good reminder for me as well to make sure that I'm posting more good ideas than products. I have a store, but I definitely don't want to just be a seller. I'm a blogger first! :) Thanks for the reminder and the inspiration! And thanks for your sweet comment on my blog!
    Sarah
    Sarah's First Grade Snippets

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    1. Hi Sarah! Yes, you are a blogger first. You did a beautiful job weaving your freebies and products into your post on small moments writing. I loved it! If I taught 1st grade I would have bought your products, but since I teach 4th I'm running with your idea and modifying it for my age group. Kudos to you and thanks for sharing your great IDEA. :) ~Amanda

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  9. I am glad you are back Amanda! I have always loved following your blog...plus you are a Texas teacher too! BTW- I wish you could have joined us on Saturday. I hope we can both make it to the next meet-up.

    I do have a TpT store but don't add new items to it that often. For me, my blog is hopefully a place for encouragement and inspiration. I think we all get large doses of curriculum but for me teaching is about touching the heart first. There is no way they are going to learn if they don't feel safe and loved.

    Your blog is a map to your heart. What pieces you share is your choice and those who want to journey with you will! =)


    Heather
    Heather's Heart

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    1. Hi Heather! Oh, I just loved your line about your blog being a "map to your heart." You are so right! Thank you for your support and reminding us all why we blog. :) ~Amanda

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  10. I totally agree with you. I feel like you took the words right out of my mouth. I started blogging to reflect on my practice and to share ideas with everyone...not to mention snag a few myself. I don't have any stores, but I do feel pressure like you said. Is my blog relevant without them? I think so. There are probably a lot of us out there with the same feeling. I actually read a post somewhere (can't remember where now) about a challenge to bloggers to NOT post "freebies" or other items for at least 5 posts. Glad you're back! I'm a follower!
    ThinkShareTeach

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  11. I don't have a blog but love reading about all the great ideas that are out there. I totally agree with what you said. I have also unsubscribed from great blogs because of these things. I also teach fourth grade in Texas. Thanks for a great blog.

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  12. I agree with you Amanda! I don't have a blog and just started following bloggers recently. I love hearing about every one's ideas, but am starting to get fed up with all the selling of items. I even thought about becoming a blogger myself, but thought I had to have a store for anyone to follow me. Keep sharing your ideas!!

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  13. I completely agree with you. I have been a long time blog stalker and recently started a blog myself. While I do love spotlights and linky parties (how I have found so many blogs I love!), the constant promotion is getting out of control. I have unfollowed a couple of blogs I used to love because I'm tired of the pirate/robot/alien packs.

    Megan
    I Teach. What's Your Super Power?

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  14. Just found your adorable blog and became your newest follower!
    Blessings,

    Jessica Stanford
    Mrs. Stanford's Class
    PS I'm having a linky and would love for you to join!

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    1. Whoops, first comment had a faulty link. Haha! I wanted to let you know I came across the link to this post through your comment on Tales of Frogs and Cupcakes and wanted to mention that I'm glad you stuck with blogging through the summer, as I loved your Fiction Friday feature (even though I only was able to link up once). Keep on keeping on! :)

      Stephanie
      Maestra Bilingue

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Thank you for taking a moment to share your thoughts!