Tuesday 17 January 2017

Canada 150

I am so excited about Canada turning 150 years young!  I have already ordered my free Park Pass and will visit Haida Gwaii this summer!  I am SO EXCITED!  This is a bucket list item for me!  My camera will record every amazing scene.

What an amazing history Canada has had so far.  I started to research the Canada 150 website and found that much of it had to do with our National Parks.  I spent a week researching, reading, making notes, and then finally putting it all into a Word Search and an Internet Search document with the package called  Canada 150.  I have priced it at 150 cents!  Get it?  Clever?

       

I still want to add Park Birds and Mammals sections, as some are identified as being at risk.  This form of learning is important for our children to understand the purpose of our parks and what is at stake if we don't manage it; they will be the protectors of this great land in the future.

I certainly enjoyed making this, but I enjoyed learning about my country even more.  Did you know that the National Parks cover only 3% of our country's land mass?  The worksheet will ask you things you will find interesting, once you look up the answer!  This is great Canadian trivia you can impress your friends with!  Enjoy!  

Sunday 15 January 2017

2017

Happy New Year!  Do you have a New Year's resolution?  I do . . .

I have not be very good at writing a blog; terrible, in fact.  I spend SO much time on the computer, it really is nearing addiction level.  Between TpT, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and a Blog, I just can't do it all!  Did I forget one?  Oh yes, Instagram!  That one I'm even worse at!

And so January started with Teacher Pay Teachers putting me as the feature Teacher-Author in their newsletter!  How exciting!

Well, talk about renewed energy and inspiration!  I've already added two new products, reached record sales (and am only halfway through January!), and have new followers.  I needed this!  Spring cleaning will have to wait!  

I promise I will try harder with my blog!  Will bloglovin help?

Thanks!

<a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/18438659/?claim=yzw5esc7wgc">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Sunday 1 May 2016

Kahoot!

KAHOOT!  How had I not heard of this amazing teaching tool? 

https://getkahoot.com/

I observed a student teacher using this with his class to review for a final exam in his course.  It was brilliant!  Students follow along with their cell phones, or iPads, and answer questions by selecting the correct answer for each question.  Kahoot! tracks every participant's results.  The teacher knows how well students know the material and can take time to reinforce learning.

Later that day, I went to the Kahoot! web-site and tried a few.  If you search the database, there are SO MANY files already in place in a huge range of TOPICS.  It is quite impressive.  Just be sure to remember your login name and password.

I then went to the TpT web-site to see if teacher-authors had Kahoot! lessons.  Yes, indeed, they do.  Some are designed to explain how to use Kahoot! while others are linked to specific Kahoot! lessons.

I was then curious about the terms and conditions of Kahoot!, as it states clearly that it is FREE!  I sent them an email asking about it.  Here is the response:

Thanks for reaching out about this.
Per our Terms and Conditions, "Attempting to copy, duplicate, reproduce, sell, trade, or resell our Resources is strictly prohibited."
Also, "any content posted by you using any open communication tools on our website, provided that it doesn't violate or infringe on any 3rd party copyrights or trademarks, becomes the property of Kahoot! AS"
With those statements, selling access to specific kahoots is a violation.
I hope that helps! Let me know if there are any other questions.
Happy Kahoot!'ing!Bryan
So, now we know.  Use, make, share, but don't break copyright.  It really is a great resource for teachers.  I recommend it!  

Thursday 3 March 2016

Emily Carr

March 2, 1945 Emily Carr passed away in Victoria.
I just finished reading my second book, this one by Doris Shadbolt, about Emily Carr last week.  Because Emily wrote journals, which were published, many of her thoughts are repeated in the writings of others, myself included. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Emily-Carr-Quotes-2084798  I so admire her.  If you've never read her writing, or seen her art, please do so. She was an original.

This CBC article is a great introduction:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/arts/late-bloomer-emily-carr-paintings-group-of-seven-interview-1.3465841

Emily Carr lives on!



Wednesday 17 February 2016

Ted Talk - Communication

Do you show Ted Talks in your classroom?  I have and do.  Today I watched Celeste Headlee talk about communication.   She was spot on. I'd recommend this to high school students.  Follow the link.
Check out this amazing TED Talk:
10 ways to have a better conversation
https://www.ted.com/talks/celeste_headlee_10_ways_to_have_a_better_conversation

I could see a great writing assignment to follow this up. 

Thursday 11 February 2016

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today I finally saw MY Logo on the TpT home page advertising Teacher-Authors.  One year ago today was my first sale with TpT and tomorrow is my actual birthday.  It feels like I received a present!  I am celebrating!
I feel very blessed to do what I do and to know that what I have to share is appreciated and wanted.  
I am putting my ENTIRE STORE ON SALE for 24 hours in celebration!  Please come share in the party!  Happy Birthday to me!