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>

TpT Newsletter - My Freebie!

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!  

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!

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. 

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!  

Winter Be Gone!

Today was proof that the groundhog may have gotten it right.  Frosted car windows, fog on the road, and chilly fingers means spring is not quite here yet.

Today I thought I'd share my little trick for teachers needing to defrost their car windows in a hurry.  I have never been late for school, but I did burn out my wiper blade motor because the blades were frozen to the window.  EXPENSIVE LESSON!

 

Forget the scraper and don't turn on the wipers to use the antifreeze de-icer.  If your blades are frozen, it will be the beginning of the end.

Simply put the antifreeze de-icer in a squirt bottle and spritz your window.  Wait only a few minutes, and presto, the blades will move freely and the ice will be melting in a hurry.  

Truly, I don't scrape any windows anymore, ever.  Why did it take me so long to figure this one out?  Not sure, but I think it is pretty clever.  Feel free to share.  

This was my drive to school today.  The fog didn't lift for hours.  I had a good day today.  Did you?