My Teachers Pay Teachers Journey

I'm still having FOMO feelings at the fact I couldn't be in Vegas for the TPT Conference 2015, but I'm so glad that those who went decided to share their experience via Instagram, Twitter, and Periscope as it was happening.  I'm looking forward to reading your blog posts for more details and insights!

I decided to share my journey with TPT with you all and am curious to learn about your journey!

I started teaching in 2010 and I started off my year going through what my school provided.  I would tweak some things and add my own activities.  In 2012, I was always looking for more and more resources to add to the curriculum.  Thank you to Google search for finding an activity for me that sparked my interest when I saw "https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/....."  I know by that name that it was something interesting!  I soon created an account and started buying!  I loved how creative, easily available and AFFORDABLE it was!  My first purchase was "Introducing Multiplication - Early Multiplication Worksheets and Activities" by Classroom Chit Chat because I was new to 3rd grade and wanted more resources for multiplication!  I still use it! 

When I moved to Australia in June 2014 I found myself with some free time on my hands and anxious to get back in the classroom.  I went through a 6 month process to get the eligibility to begin teaching and started working as a relief teacher.  I wanted more and more products to gather for my upcoming class, but I was short on money.  So I started making products *I* wanted, soon I had a passion for creating products.  I'm notorious for changing blog layouts constantly because I get the bug to create.  (Now I put that passion into creating classroom products!)  Now I use 100% of my earnings to purchase on TPT for clipart & classroom products.  I'm not in it for the money, I'm in it to create, utilise my passion in design and sharing with others! (One of my first products.)

Over the months I learned to use Powerpoint for PDFs and packets, and I learned the tricks of the trade within the POWER of Powerpoint!  I was exposed to different fonts, clipart, backgrounds, frames and more!  I found myself purchasing more of these products via TPT!   After about 3-4 months of creating I found *my own niche* in style, and it was received well!  My anchor charts, especially my Reading Anchor Charts packet, are my best selling product.  Learn from others, but stay true to yourself and your niche.  It's true!

I haven't been doing it for that long, but it's still a growing passion in me!  The sparks within the teaching community online really inspires me as a TPT seller, TPT buyer, but mainly as a TEACHER!  I love learning more and learning from others is my favourite way to be exposed to something new! I'm amazed at all the activity online via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and now Periscope!  I love that we love sharing so much and learning from while supporting each other! Let's keep this amazing online #TeacherTribe going!

What's your TPT journey?  Share it with me!  

I would love to hear more about it!

Made It Monday

Check out 4th Grade Frolics for more information about Monday Made It!

Thanks to One Stop Teacher Shop for making these I CAN activities!  (Yep, I'm mentioning them again.  They're that good!)  I bought mine in a bundle with Maths work and look forward to using these in maths rotations.  I didn't have any tennis ball containers (and they're quite pricey here in Australia), so I used old Pringles cans.  I've spent quite some time laminating, cutting, and taping my materials.  I still need to make a binder to hold response and answer sheets.  (But to save on paper I'll also have students use dry erase boards to write and work out problems.)

I had seen some teachers move away from specific classroom jobs charts and such to group jobs/committees.  I LOVED this idea because you can easily incorporate teamwork in the classroom.  I had made these posters for my classroom, then I decided to made a general one for anyone who'd like to use them.  (Not pictured is Library Committee because I don't currently have a classroom library and assign school library jobs to another committee.)  I used crews within the committee with 2 students per crew, except for a few that only require 1 person.  You can adjust how you use it in your classroom to your liking! 

Download this FREEBIE at my TPT Store!  Don't forget to FOLLOW ME! 

The last thing I made was a Get to Know Your Class Scoot!  I'm taking over a class halfway through the year and I got a bit of background from the previous teacher.  However, I'd like to learn more about the students from their own perspectives as well.  I made this activity for the kids!  I'm excited to try it out in a week!  (You can get this BACK TO SCHOOL activity for just $1!)

Five for Friday!

Five for Friday is a weekly teacher linky party where you post five random things from today or this past week and on your blog. Check out the linky party at Doodle Bugs Teaching.

Get to Know Your Class SCOOT

I was creating a game for my upcoming class to get to know them a little better & from their own perspective.  I wanted to know what they liked about their class, what they'd like to change, and so on.  Then I realised that this would be a good "Back to School" activity for any class!  It's up on my TPT Store!

FOMO TPT Vegas '15 & Periscope App

The ONLY downside to moving to Australia is trying to go to the TPT Vegas 2015 Conference would cost the ticket times 1,000! $$$ Not enough time off to justify spending that money to go back to the USA, especially since I would have time to visit my family in Florida.  I WISH I could go, BUT this Periscope App has been SO AWESOME! I'm slightly obsessed!  I'm loving all the videos and chance to chat with the teachers via messages.  If you're on Persicope, find me: @FishingForEd 

Australian Teachers Facebook Page Reaches 1,000+ Likes!

I'm so excited!  Australian Teachers Facebook Page reached 1,000+ Likes and we're hosting a giveaway to celebrate this milestone!  (We're each offering a product from our TPT Store, to find out more information: http://australianteachers.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/1000-facebook-likes-giveaway.html and it'll direct you to the post on Facebook.)

Nespresso Machine

We just got back from the city and bought this little baby!  I'm not a big coffee connoisseur, but my bf is picky about his coffee (a bit) and I'm all about something quick and simple.  This machine is AMAZING! I love how it "steams" the milk!  Yummy too!  

Organising Materials for My New Class

I've been collecting our Pringles cans because #1 we don't get them often because they're ridiculously expensive here in Australia, but they were 1/2 off and #2 they're perfect for the "I CAN..." activities from One Stop Teacher Shop!  Love this activity for my maths block!

Classroom Improvements

I'm linking up with Lucky Little Learners & Schroeder Schenanigans in 2nd for the #2getherWeAreBetter!  

This month they're focusing on Classroom Improvements.  I don't officially start in my classroom until 20 July and I'm taking over a classroom where the teacher encouraged me to make any changes if needed.  So I'm going to list the 3 things I want to implement in my upcoming class.

#1 - CAFE & Daily 5

I never got around to fully implementing this in the classroom before moving to Australia, but I did do parts of it and found it beneficial.  I taught 8-9 year olds and I'll continue to work with that age group, so I'm liking the chance to implement these as a Reading Rotation.  It allows me to work with students in small groups and one-on-one.  I have seen the Daily 5 book as a book study on some education blogs, so I bought the book to really read up on it.  I know it'll take the students a few weeks to really get into the groove of this, but I know it'll benefit my classroom.  (I got my Daily 5 signs from Ladybug's Teacher Files!)

#2 - Math Games & Groups

Like Reading Rotations I'll also work on using Maths Groups & Rotations.  One thing that REALLY helped my class from TPT was all the maths games!  My students loved SCOOT & I Have... Who Has? games.  I just purchased "I Can..." Maths games from One Stop Teacher Shop and I know these will be great in my class.  The best way to make sure your students really retain & understand most math skills is through regular practice through a variety of outlets.  I usually start each lesson with a math word problem that students solve as a class, explore the lesson, and allow a rotation of practice skills.  I'm hoping to add more hands-on exploration with these Maths Games and improve maths lessons. (You can get the "I Can..." games at One Stop Teacher Shop on TPT!)

#3 - Daily Affirmations

Follow Stephanie's board ED: Class Affirmations on Pinterest.

One thing I enjoyed that the teacher did with the class I'm taking over is having students do daily affirmation responses in their morning journals.  Students would write a daily goal and reflect on the previous day, upcoming day, and so on.  I plan to keep this rhythm, but I'll be giving students a daily quote/affirmation that they would respond to and explain what it means to them, then write a goal based on that quote.  I'm hoping this will get students in the right mindset for the day and their lives! (Check out my collection of Class Affirmations Board on Pinterest!)

Currently: July 2015

Linking up with Farley at Oh Boy 4th Grade!

Listening

I've got a 40 minute commute to work and I'm constantly TRYING to change up my music from Taylor Swift.  This week I've been listening to my College Music Throwback playlist which consists of music from 2002-2010ish.  Think: Brand New, Taking Back Sunday, The Used, The Good Life/Cursive, and so much more. 

Loving

My NEW Erin Condren planner packet!  It was just under $10 for shipping to Australia, so PLUS PLUS PLUS! It is SO amazing and I can't wait to really get into using it regularly.  I had been using my Google calendar for months, then POOF it all randomly deleted.  Not to mention individual appointments deleting here and there.  Sometimes it is just best to stick to a hard copy. 

Thinking

I start my full time position after the school holidays and I'm thinking about all the things I want to prepare and organize in my classroom.  

Wanting

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS is nearly here!  I'm ready for this 2 week break!  I'm looking forward to some down time for me, myself and I!

Needing

Got to gather materials for the new class.  I'm off in a semi-regional area and I'm off to the city for the first part of the break.  I will definitely be picking up some materials for the classroom.  I'm thinking this girl will need to buy her own personal laminator.  Aussie teachers, got any recommendations?

All Star

One thing that REALLY worked well and stuck with me in my previous 6 years in the classroom is staying organized!  I make sure the students AND MYSELF put things (and papers) away in their designated area!  Once I kept doing this and putting things away everyday I realized how much of a difference it made in my day.  I never felt scrambled and knew where everything was when someone would pop in and ask for some paperwork.