End of the Year Gifts

It's nearly that time of year for those teaching back in the USA, and I'm looking back on my "End of Year" gifts for my former students.  I've done a few over the years and changing each time for each class.  Here are some things over the years that had helped me out.

Class DVD

This is my staple in every gift bag with my students!  It's a great gift for students and parents and share some memories throughout the year.  Heck, it's a great gift to myself!  Near the end of the year I work on some digital projects with the kids.  One year we put on Fairy Tale Reader's Theater plays that we put our own special twists on.  We did filmed an interview as our favorite book characters (while dressed up as them as well).  We filmed us acting as news reporters and witnesses to the real life event  of the Great Boston Molasses Massacre and so much more!  I would make sure to add those into the DVDs because the students LOVED doing and watching them!

But I ALWAYS add in a fun slideshow of pictures I took over the years, and I also ask for parents to send in any photos of the school year to add.  Hello MacBooks and their iMovie & iDVD software programs!  They make it so easy and it usually would just take me 1 weekend to create the DVD and make copies for everyone.

OrientalTrading.com

Beach Balls & Sharpies

This was something I never thought of, but my team thought about getting cheap beach balls and a sharpie.  We would give them as gifts on the last day of school and allow some time to let the students in our grade go around and get signatures.  A fun toy to play throughout the summer and a chance to get signatures from all their friends.

Sweet Treats

I love using some kind of sweet treat and a play on words for the kids.  Not that they get it half the time.  "The s'more you read the s'more you know!"  I like the s'mores the most because who doesn't love a s'more while camping over the summer?

Scholastic Book Clubs

Book

I usually find some dollar deal through Scholastic Book Clubs, then I grab them for the kids.  One year I ended up buying a variety of books from the Sunshine State Young Readers list, that cost a bit though.

Oriental Trading.com

Hello Oriental Trading, probably the best place to go to for fun gifts at the right price.  My last year before I left for Australia I was able to score some boomerangs for the kids.  They loved it!

Last Tip

Instead of some bag they would throw away I would give a $1 bucket that I would score from Party City!  It would cost a bit more than I would normally pay for a paper bag, but it wouldn't go to waste and sticks with the beach theme again!

What's in your End of the Year gift package?

Tech Tip: Showbie App

Showbie App

I was in as a Relief Teacher for a Year 6 class today and I came across a new app that I found quite beneficial! It's called Showbie, and you could easily scan a page, upload it to your classroom, and give the code to students and they would complete the "worksheet" on their iPad and instantly turn it in.

The Benefits

1.) It's FREE! Yay!
2.) Less paper copies needed! (Great for those you only get a certain amount.)
3.) Less chance for students to lose papers.
4.) Easy grading/documentation for anything (data meetings, student portfolio, etc.)
5.) Students can easily write and erase without extra materials.

This is such a great tool, especially if you have a device set for your classroom.  I'm seeing more and more schools using iPads/devices in the classroom.  This is such a great eco-friendly substitute to all those papers!  Watch the quick informational video:

My Review

After seeing this in action, I'm definitely saving this as something to add to my classroom! Helpful for both the teacher and students.

Have you used this or something similar in your class?

10 TPT Tips for Beginners

I started selling & creating products for TeachersPayTeachers in October 2014.  I just moved to a new country and was in the process of becoming certified to start teaching again, so I had a bit of time on my hands.  It was all self taught for me and took me a good 2-3 months to really get into it.  Here are 10 tips for anyone thinking about selling on TPT or just starting out.  Hopefully it can help your transition and make it easier for you!

#1 - Use Powerpoint to Create PDF Products

My first product was created in Word Document.  It took a good while to organize everything and tweak objects to the way I liked it.  Still, it didn't quite look the way I really wanted it to do so.  Then I found tips from Ladybug's Teacher Files about using Powerpoint for printables. (Make sure to click the link for a nice video & more tips on her site!)  The more you use it the easier it gets each time.

I suggest saving the Powerpoint file at first, that way you can easily adjust and edit products later.  When you're ready for Printables just click "Save as" and choose PDF! No matter how many slides you use this program will easily help you stay organize.

Make sure to click the image for the BEST Powerpoint quick tips from Ladybug's Teacher Files.

#2 - Create a FREEBIE

One thing you may not realize when creating your seller account, I sure didn't, is that you will need to create and upload 1 freebie to your store.  Don't be discouraged by this because I think this is more beneficial than counter productive.

My first product was a quick behavior chart that was similar to what I used in my classroom.  I used a generic theme so that it could appeal to nearly anyone and any grade.  This is one of my most downloaded items, and that may be mainly due to it being a freebie.  However, I believe this product has generated plenty of traffic to my store!

You can create a simple product or something a little more.  It is up to you, however, it is recommended to keep below a certain amount of slides.  I'd suggest keeping it simple and no more than 10-12 slides.  (If it's more then consider using that as a paid product instead.)

#3 - Take Your Time with Products & Review Review

I don't recommend rushing a product just quickly put it on your store.  Take your time and make sure it is made to your liking!  I like to spend a few days on products with no more than working on it for 3-4 hours at a time.  This is my personal preference, especially since my work varies each week at the moment.

Also, make sure to review review review!  Just like you used to for essays while in school, make sure you review and proofread several times before completing your product.  I've misspelled a few words on larger products and I've had to re-upload products.  My suggestion wait a day after you completed a product, review everything you wrote, then decide to upload it.

#4 - Find Your Own "Style"

When creating your products make sure it appeals to your own "style." One thing to keep in mind is you may enjoy how someone else made a product don't copy their style.  People will gravitate to you for your unique style.  Dare to be different and YOU!  You've got the knowledge and creative mind to style & format to your liking.

You can experiment with different fonts, backgrounds, and clip art from other TPT Stores, just make sure they are for Commercial Use if you intend to sell/distribute.  

I recommend checking out KG (Kimberly Geswein) Fonts & Creative Clips by Krista Wallden for some great starter stores. Also, click the image for some Font Pairing Guides!

#5 - Add a Thank You/Copyright Page

Make sure to include a Copyright Page with each of your products.  If you use any clipart, backgrounds, fonts, frames or more from other TPT sellers (or any other site/company), make sure to show credit!  Also, make sure each item has permission for Commercial Use.

I like to show credits for every product used in each product and a Thank You section.  Keep in mind whether you'd like your product to be used for Personal Use (majority of the time) or Commercial Use.   I also use this section to share my blog, a page for a list of ALL credits, and a way to contact me (email).

#6 - Become a Premium Seller & Know the Benefits

Free Seller Account vs. Premium Seller, which to choose?  I started out with just the Free Seller account because I was just starting out, then one month (while I was away on holiday) BOOM! I got all sorts of sells.  I had wished I purchased the Premium Seller Upgrade before that.

Free Sellers get 60% royalties and have to pay a transaction fee for each purchase.  Premium Sellers get 85% royalties and don't have to pay transaction fees, but you have to pay $59.95 for each year.  Let's just say that one month would've more than paid for the Premium account with the 15% profit difference and no transaction fees. Click the image for more information and read up on it.

#7 - Utilize a Blog 

This isn't a necessity, but I know it's been beneficial for me as a teacher, let alone as a TPT Seller.  I'm a blogger by heart and I love the community blogs can create.  There's a HUGE education blogging community out there!

It's great to get your name out there, but mainly because you can communicate and learn from fellow teachers.

You can create collaborations, get tons of tips and share ideas with others.  My favorite moment was when I was asked if I'd like to donate a product for an Autism Awareness Fundraiser.  It's amazing to see a community helping each other and causes we're all passionate about.

#8 - Spread the Word

You on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and other Social Media accounts?  Utilize them to spread the word of your product.  I was complete surprised when I realized there was a community for teachers among all social media platforms.

Pinterest is great to generate ideas.  Did you even realize there's a huge education community within Twitter & Instagram?  I find new bloggers that I enjoy following this way.  It's another way to communicate and share what you have.

#9 - Create a Sale

While spreading the word, this is a great way to attract new buyers!

This is something I've looked into and found myself finding new stores to check out.  There are tons and tons of great sellers on TPT and it's sometimes hard to get your store to reach others.

Sales are a great way to get others to check out your store!  Plus, I've kept some items on my Wish List and once I see it's on sale I usually jump on purchasing it.

#10 - Keep a list of ideas

While I'm creating products I'm always thinking of other things I'd like to create.  I personally like using my Google Drive account to keep a running list of ideas that come to mind.  This is because I have an app on my phone and I can update it whenever an idea comes to mind.

I'm such a sucker for "To Do Lists" of all sorts!

**Side note:  Planning & organizing your products can be very helpful on your creation process.  I do this before starting so that I make sure I have all that I want to add/create, decide what is important and adjust accordingly.  (Check out Blair Turner's To Do List & other paper goods!)

Check out more helpful tips:

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