Tuesday 17 January 2017

TPT Featured Author - Me!

Advertising Works!  

This TpT newsletter feature has resulted in breaking my best month's sales record, has added many new followers, has moved me up almost 1000 spots in TpT ranking, and it is only the middle of January!  The bigger change is that I am inspired again!  I have already created two new items and am working hard on a very comprehensive course presentation, which I may be teaching for semester two! I should know by the end of this week. I hope it all falls into place.  So much for retirement!

TPT Newsletter #392
One month

These graphs are created by The Colorado Classroom, and allows viewers to see their own stats, and those of other TpT stores.  I check here frequently!  I learn so much here!  If you like this link, do let Brittany know you where there!
One year
I became a premier seller in April 2015, and my store growth has been steady, but I see how promotion is crucial to growth.  Even though I have a facebook page, Twitter, InstagramWordPress, Blogger, Pinterest, and Google+, I have not utilized these very well, at all!  Looking at the TpT traffic stats they lead me to believe most views are directly from TpT, with Pinterest a distant second and Facebook third.  So, where should I devote my time?  I still think it is in creating new lessons.  I enjoy that much more than posting, here, there and everywhere.  I don't know how some sellers do it all!  Anyway, slow and steady is how I work, and so, I will happily carry on.  Sales and feedback tell me I am doing something good.  Yeah!    




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.