• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

A Field Trip Life

Books, places, and books that take you places

  • Home
  • About
  • Places
  • My Author Site
  • Review Policy
  • Contact Me

Reflections – 10 Thoughts about the A – Z Blog Challenge

May 4, 2015 By Claire Annette Noland 24 Comments

a-z reflections

10 Thoughts about the A-Z Blog Challenge

I woke up on May 1st feeling like I was forgetting something. Did I actually make it to Z? Yes, I did! I’d like to say thanks to Arlee Bird, Challenge founder and the great co-hosts.

Here are my reflective thoughts in no particular order:

 

  1. The second year doing the challenge was easier than the first year.
  2. Short posts are better than long posts. I get too wordy and I realized I liked reading shorter posts.
  3. When it was hard to find a place to comment I didn’t – no matter how great the post was.
  4. It was wonderful to see so many different blog layouts. I got some great ideas.
  5. Black background with aqua text is very hard to read.
  6. I had fun with my theme- “Read Your World with Kid’s Books.”
  7. O was my toughest letter. I finally found a book set in Oman. Thankfully it was a really interesting book – The Turtle of Oman by Naomi Shihab Nye
  8. Pam’s Unconventional Alliance was awesome! I was honored to be one of her minions.
  9. It is fun to promote other great blogs I discovered and even more fun when those bloggers made comments on my blog.
  10. I can’t wait for next year. I have my theme ready and will be making notes in the months to come.

Here are some blogs I really liked that you should check out as you cruise through the list in the next few months:

Pam at http://unconventionallibrarian.com/

Evelyne at  http://evelyneholingue.com/

Arlee Bird at http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/

Anna at http://www.wellhellohandbag.com/

Linda at http://publishingbones.com/

S.L. Hennessy at http://pensuasion.blogspot.com/

Stephen Tremp at http://authorstephentremp.blogspot.com/

Rosie at https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/

Betty at http://viewsfrombenches.blogspot.com/

Livia Quinn at http://liviaquinn.com/

John Miller at https://theartisticchristian.wordpress.com/

Ellen at http://thecynicalsailor.blogspot.com/

Anabel at https://anabelsblog.wordpress.com

Veronica at http://owlwonder.com/

Donna at http://www.donnamcdine.com/

Charlotte at https://mygreennook.wordpress.com

Kern at http://www.oddparticle.com/

Jennifer at http://j-scribbles.blogspot.com/

Sarah at http://travelswithchoppy.com/

Sandy at http://homelessbridge.blogspot.com/

Debbie D at  http://thedogladysden.com/

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: a to z blog challenge, Read Your World with Kid's Books

« Celebrating May Day
The Accidental Field Trip – UC Davis Arboretum »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rosie Amber says

    May 5, 2015 at 11:30 am

    Thanks for the shout out I really enjoyed your theme.

    Reply
    • Claire says

      May 15, 2015 at 5:47 pm

      Hi Rosie
      I’ve really enjoyed your blog posts!

      Reply
  2. Tina Cho says

    May 5, 2015 at 11:31 am

    I really like the idea of blogging A to Z. Was it a contest as well?

    Reply
    • Claire says

      May 15, 2015 at 5:48 pm

      Hi Tina, it wasn’t part of a contest even though I feel like I won a prize just for finishing. Why don’t you join in the fun next April?
      Claire recently posted…Reflections – 10 Thoughts about the A – Z Blog ChallengeMy Profile

      Reply
  3. Sandy says

    May 5, 2015 at 6:53 pm

    Well how sweet you are to make the list. Many thanks for doing that. I too have given some thought to next year, but…just not sold on anything yet. Repeating wouldn’t be a good idea, I don’t think…..probably couldn’t come up with that much new material…even if the topics were the same? Just don’t ow.
    Sandy recently posted…Appreciating Your Thoughtful DonationsMy Profile

    Reply
  4. evelyneholingue says

    May 5, 2015 at 6:56 pm

    Your response to the challenge was awesome, Claire. Thank you for adding my blog to the ones you’ve enjoyed reading in April. It’s really generous and I appreciate the gesture. See you soon.
    evelyneholingue recently posted…Sentiments or Feelings Post A to Z ChallengeMy Profile

    Reply
  5. Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor says

    May 5, 2015 at 10:25 pm

    Thank you so much for including our blog in your list! I feel quite honored. I really enjoyed your A to Z posts – fantastic theme! Can’t wait to see what you do next year 🙂
    Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor recently posted…April In NumbersMy Profile

    Reply
  6. betty says

    May 6, 2015 at 2:54 am

    Oh that was so sweet of you to list my blog 🙂 I like your reflection post and I agree with you about the comments; if they were hard to leave, I didn’t leave one. Good for you that you have a theme already picked for next year! I’m going between several, not sure where I’ll land for the theme for 2016 🙂

    betty
    betty recently posted…ZooMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Sandy says

    May 8, 2015 at 10:38 am

    Sandy at Bridge and Beyond, Annoucing a Contest
    Sandy recently posted…Lola and Yarn Bombing, Bridge and Beyond StyleMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Debbie D. says

    May 9, 2015 at 6:03 pm

    Congratulations on finishing the challenge and thanks so much for including me on your list.! Sorry I didn’t get a chance to visit before, but I was having a rough time this year. Will definitely be better organized next time. You are doing well to be planning for the 2016 challenge, already.
    Debbie D. recently posted…WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE DEN – MAY AND BEYONDMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Cynthia says

    May 11, 2015 at 8:09 pm

    Great observations, Claire. Some of what you mentioned here rings familiar, as I”d done A to Z for two years. I might have an idea for next year, but I can’t just put it together next March. I’m already working ahead right now!

    Reply
  10. S. L. Hennessy says

    May 11, 2015 at 9:51 pm

    I’m so honored to have made your list! Wow! That means so much! And I’m even more glad to hear you had a good time with the challenge and this year was easier – I agree, the more years I participate, the easier it gets.
    S. L. Hennessy recently posted…Insecure Writer’s Support GroupMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Mary Burris says

    May 12, 2015 at 2:48 pm

    Congrats on completing the A to Z Challenge! Looking forward to next year! See you on the Road Trip!

    Mary @ http://www.JingleJangleJungle.net
    Mary Burris recently posted…The Allman Brothers: Blue SkyMy Profile

    Reply
  12. Sandy says

    May 15, 2015 at 3:54 pm

    I’ve popped in a dozen or so times since the completion of a to z, but can’t tell if you’er still blogging? Sorry for the 2nd note here on the same blog post, just thought this time I’d leave you a note to see if you’re still at it. Let me know.
    Sandy recently posted…Learning Logs, The 2nd SquareMy Profile

    Reply
  13. Stephanie says

    May 15, 2015 at 7:09 pm

    I wish I had found your blog sooner. But thankfully we have the Road Trip.

    Reply
  14. Sandy says

    May 15, 2015 at 7:20 pm

    Glad to knowyou’re ok. Be safe and good luck with the research!
    Sandy recently posted…Learning Logs, The 2nd SquareMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Paula says

    May 16, 2015 at 5:37 pm

    Congratulations on finishing! This is a great reflections post. Looks like you found some really good blogs. I am on the A to Z Road trip finding those I didn’t get to see the first time. Good luck! I agree with you about trying to comment. Some blogs it was just too hard to find the comment spot so I moved on. It’s a shame they done make that easier
    Paula recently posted…Dear FridayMy Profile

    Reply
  16. Random Musings says

    May 26, 2015 at 1:34 am

    Loving your theme 🙂 I think it’s really interesting seeing what everyone chose for their themes!
    Popping by on the A to Z Road Trip
    Debbie
    http://www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com
    Random Musings recently posted…When Blogging Goes Bad!My Profile

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      June 1, 2015 at 10:12 pm

      Hi Debbie,
      So nice of you to stop by. I just visited your blog and will join the fiction linky if I can figure out how to do it.

      Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      June 1, 2015 at 10:24 pm

      I’ve been amazed by the creativity of so many bloggers. I’ve learned a lot, too. Hooray for the A to Z Road Trip.

      Reply
  17. Parul says

    March 11, 2016 at 6:08 pm

    Those are some good reflections. 2015 was my first year and this year, I am also writing shorter posts. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
    Parul recently posted…#PledgeForParity – Change Begins With YouMy Profile

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      March 11, 2016 at 6:18 pm

      So glad to be in Pam’s Alliance with you!

      Reply
  18. Chicky says

    March 21, 2016 at 8:32 am

    Hello Claire!
    I am Chicky from India. Hopped over from the Theme Reveal linky for this year. I love what you have done with your blog design! Beautiful aesthetically as well as functionally!
    I was looking for your theme reveal post for this year, but instead, found this one. What are you blogging about this year?
    Looking forward to connecting with you.
    Chicky recently posted…A to Z Apr 2016: HappinessMy Profile

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      March 26, 2016 at 4:33 am

      Hi Chicky,
      I love your name! This year I’m looking for mermaids around the world from A to Z. Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply

Leave a Reply to Claire Annette Noland Cancel reply

Please submit your comment with a real name.

Thanks for your feedback!

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Hello. I’m Claire Annette - reader, writer, teacher, and field trip planner extraordinaire. Here at A Field Trip Life you will find ideas for adventures large and small and the kids’ books that inspire them. Sign your permission slip. Let's go!

Connect With Me!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS

Join the Fun, Subscribe to a Field Trip Life Monthly!


(We will never spam you)

Search

Categories

  • 2020 Debut Crew
  • Adoption
  • alphabet books
  • Biographies
  • Blogging A to Z
  • book maps
  • Book Travel
  • Bookish Field Trips
  • Books
  • Celebrate
  • Chapter Books
  • Christmas Books
  • Citizen Science
  • Cybils Awards
  • Evie's Field Day
  • Family
  • Farm Fresh
  • Field Trips
  • Food
  • Inspirations
  • Library Love
  • Mermaids
  • Multicultural Children's Books
  • picture books
  • Places
  • Uncategorized

MCBookDay-white-21-300x234



clairesfieldtriplife

Teachers- do you know about World Read Aloud Day? Teachers- do you know about World Read Aloud Day? Cardinal Rule Press authors would love to do a free zoom visit with your classroom on February 3rd  Sign up in the link in my bio
Mr. Ernie loves to put his nose in a good book. He Mr. Ernie loves to put his nose in a good book. He's currently reading the fantastic LAYLA and the BOTS: HAPPY PAWS written by Vicky Fang and illustrated by Christine Nishiyama. 
Layla is a rockstar and inventor (how cool is that?) who has three bots who help her solve problems in their town using technology.
This is a perfect chapter book for budding makers who love STEAM and fun! Mr. Ernie loves the roller coaster they design for dogs!

To read more about Happy Paws and the second book in this new series,  LAYLA and the BOTS: BUILT FOR SPEED visit my blog, A Field Trip Life. (link in bio)

@fangmousbooks #stemforkids #kidlit #Cybilsawards #chapterbooks @mrernierecommends #dogsofinstagram
What are you reading today? What are you reading today?
Posted @withregram • @robinhaart Of all the incr Posted @withregram • @robinhaart Of all the incredible images that flooded my media yesterday, this photo by @glennondoyle of two women #senate aids rescuing the boxes containing the #electoral #votes stood out to me. This image perfectly illustrates what #Strength is about. Strength is not about oppressing others with power. It is about doing the right thing, and calmly carrying out our duties in a time of peril. Despite the delay caused by the #domesticterrorists, our government resumed and announced @joebiden and @kamalaharris as our next president and vice president. And Georgia has elected two democratic senators @jonossoff @raphaelwarnock, who is the first Black senator to be elected in Georgia. This was possible because the majority of ordinary Americans have done their duty and voted, and countless people have organized and volunteered and donated their time and money to protect our voting rights. They are our true heroes.
I hope all the government officials who have been elected will uphold their duty to carry out the will of the people.
We’re celebrating National Bird Day with THE SKY We’re celebrating National Bird Day with THE SKY PAINTER: Louis Fuentes, Bird Artist written by Margarita Engle and illustrated by Aliona Bereghici. Written in first person poems, readers are introduced to the “Father of Modern Bird Art” who was repelled by the practice of killing and mounting birds to paint them. He traveled the world and painted birds in their natural habitat and encouraged wildlife conservation. Children love this book as it shows how Louis Fuentes became enthralled with birds as a child. Beautifully told with gorgeous illustrations- highly recommended! We followed up by making little treats for our neighborhood birds. @engle.margarita #nationalbirdday #kidlit #picturebookbiographies #birdwatching @mrernierecommends
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2020 · FieldTripLife · All Rights Reserved
Designed by: iBoost.co