11 October 2015

Change your link to FishingforEducation.com!

If you're seeing this, then you haven't update my blog link to http://www.FishingforEducation.com!  Please change the link and check out the new & improved website!

http://MsStephTeacher.blogspot.com

07 October 2015

Sorry I've been away, but I'm back!


First and foremost, I have to apologise for being away for so long.  As some of you may or may not know, I had just started back teaching full time and made the transition from US curriculum to Australian curriculum.  I'm at a new school and learning something new everyday.  Sure took a lot of time and energy from me and I vowed to make sure my focus was on my classroom/students.

A Sneak Peek


We've had nearly every single special event in term 3, so I was busy busy busy.  One of my favourite events was during our Book Week celebration!  We had a parade of all the costumes with prizes and dancing, and a full day of activity rotations! I dressed up as Max, King of the Wild Things, and did an activity with the book.  We also had our School Athletics Carnival, that took all energy of me and left like a zombie the next day.  We had Jump Rope for Heart, Inter-School Carnival and so much more.

What's Coming Up Next on the Blog


I've got some new TPT products to showcase, share my experience teaching overseas and more!  I hope to have a giveaway on the blog soon as work on building more with this blog!


15 July 2015

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!


13 July 2015

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!)





10 July 2015

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!

08 July 2015

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

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!)

01 July 2015

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.

28 June 2015

Weekend Warriors: 3-2-1 Teacher Bio



I love getting a chance to read more about the teacher bloggers and their lives, it's a great community of educators who truly enjoy sharing their ideas!  After this post, I'm off to read more about the individuals in this community! 


#1 - I've been teaching for a while, but at times I still feel like a newbie.  One thing I truly love about teaching is that I'm still learning new things myself each year.  I found out what works for me and my class and what doesn't.  My teaching style has definitely changed since my first year of teaching, but I have always stayed true to myself.

#2 - One lesson I had done a few years ago for my formal observation was on congruent shapes.  Instead of introducing the concept, I showed digital cards that followed the "definition" (or RULE as I called it) and some that didn't.  I had students tell me what they could see, then I showed them another set of both following and not following.  The students told me their new observations, then they were given cards that they had to decipher if it followed the rule or not.  Then I asked the students "What does congruent shapes mean?" and they all were able to give the definition in their own words.  This was something the NEVER forgot throughout the year.  I truly believe that since they discovered and investigated it on their own that they could easily retain the information.

#3 - This is another big reason why I love the teacher blogging community, you get a chance to get exposed to new ideas!  I had never heard of SCOOT and I tried it once in math with my kids and they absolutely LOVED it!  I changed up my reading groups and applied Daily 5 and my students (and myself) enjoyed our reading block more and got more out of it!


#1 - I was a child of a Military family, but luckily didn't have to move THAT much compared to others.  I grew up in Hawaii from Kindergarten to 6th Grade, then moved to Florida.  I think that getting the chance to live in Hawaii, which was at the time VERY different to lifestyle in the rest of the "mainland" as we called it, gave me to bug to live overseas one day!  I had looked into teaching overseas at one point, but I actually ended up getting a teaching job nearby.  (I wasn't ready to move away from my family at that point.)  But after 5 years of teaching, I made the decision to move to Australia.  It was scary and I didn't realize how big of a move it was!  After being here for over a year I'm still loving it and finding myself really being "at home."  Let's hope my permanent visa goes through and I can stay here!

#2 - Thanks to my dad I'm a HUE technology nerd.  I had 2 iPads, an iPod Touch, current iPhone & an old iPhone, my MacBook and so on.  Really, should I say I'm an Apple/Mac nerd?  (Did I mention I also have an AppleTV?)  Either way I use EACH item in my classroom at some point!  I'm asking all my friends that if they're getting rid of their old iPhones to donate them to my class to use as an iPod Touch! We live in an age where technology is taking over, and I love incorporating it in the classroom!  (But only to a certain extent!  No terminator problems arising in my classroom please!)


I was all about moving and teaching overseas for years and I finally achieved it! (I'm still shocked I went through with this!)  My next goal is to take this blog to the next level!  I want to make sure I post regularly (and schedule posts ahead of time) and possibly get the chance to attend a meet up of some sort!  (Teacher Bloggers of Australia, think we could arrange this at some point?)  I'd love to collaborate more and participate in more of these linky parties! It exposes me to new blogs and bloggers!

26 June 2015

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.

Getting Ready for Full-Time Teaching!


So excited to get back into the classroom regularly and have my own class again!  I have got so many new ideas I'd like to implement into my class.  My favourite at the moment is having the class update our classroom Twitter account with things we have learned throughout the day.  I got to meet with my class this week for a day of observation and meet with the team of teachers I'll be working with.  So anxious to get started in 3 weeks!

Teacher Bucket List


Got this from MyDayinK and wanted to quickly share my own Teacher Bucket List.  I've been teaching for 6 years now and I'm getting to the point in my career that I'd like to take on some kind of leadership role, mainly among the lines of helping other teachers through a workshop or something.  I'd like to go back to school and get a Master's in Reading Education (specifically) because I know there's so much more that I can learn.  And finally, I'd like to implement more class projects since I know these are the things students love most and can get the most out of it.


Engineering Process



I had a relief day where they asked me to come up with a lesson to do with a variety of ages.  I only had 50 minutes with each class and I was allowed photocopying time, but I opted out from worksheets and more of a hands-on lesson.  The students used tape and straws to build a structure to stand during our make shift earthquake.  I was worried about the Year 1s, but they did awesome!  Look at this one!  Great structure and done all by themselves!  That was a good day!

The Day the Crayons Quit!


I did a small reading group activity using this book about describing characters.  We described the boy in the story, which was interesting because all we knew about the boy was from letters from each crayon.  It was amazing how much we could tell about the boy without ever meeting him!  Loved this book, I'm definitely going to look out for more from this author!

School Holidays!


In just a little under a week I'll be on school holidays!  I'm ready to spend some time reading up on Daily 5 & Teaching with Intention, once my books get in.  I can't wait to get into my classroom and organize some things and look over information I need to know.  Nice to get 2 weeks off to restart!

16 June 2015

Technology Tips: Flubaroo & Google Forms

I love spending some downtime on Pinterest, you often find some amazing ideas.  I recently came across using Google Forms  & the add on "Flubaroo" to grade work.  

Now I don't often give worksheets/quizzes to give to students, but I will give one every once in a while to assess and/or document progress.  (Unfortunately, our system focuses a lot on data.)

Why waste time on grading multiple choice work when you can a script to do that for you?  

I came across this idea through this Tech with Jen post & she has a great tutorial for how to set up Flubaroo!  Check out her post and video, I found it very helpful.

Here's a video featured on their website:



Add your technology tip!