Thank you, TpT!

     I love being a part of TpT  (www.teacherspayteachers.com).  It is truly a community of teachers routing for and supporting other teachers.  This week, one of my free products, was posted in the newsletter.  As a result, the PowerPoint was downloaded over 3,000 times.  It is a tool that really helped my students; I hope that it will help other students across the country (and perhaps in other parts of the world).  Click on the link if you would like to view the free PowerPoint.  I'd Like Some FRIES with That!  I'd love to hear from you if you use the tool in your classroom!

I'm so happy for one of my former students!!!

     Today, I got one of those sweet compliments that makes all the hard work we put in as teachers worth it.  A former student of mine just got hired as ESPN-U.   The girls' mother put this post on Facebook:  "Well I just got the news- my girl is officially a reporter for ESPN- U ! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU !! You can do ANYTHING you put your mind to !"
     I then responded by writing:  "Yay!!! Okay, as her 6th grade language arts teacher, I have 2 things to say: 1) I'm not surprised 2) I bet she never thought writing all of those papers could turn into something so lucrative!"  Then, my former student responded by saying, "Writing has always been my strong point, and it started with YOU!"  What a nice compliment.  I am smiling from ear to ear and I am so so happy for my former student.  Hooray!

A Comment from "The Voice"

     As a teacher, I always have tried to praise my students and let them know if they can dream, then anything is possible.  Tonight, I was appalled when I saw previews for the next show of "The Voice".  One male contestant said, "I am doing this for my 8th grade teacher."  (I thought, "Oh, how sweet!")  Then, he said, "...because she said I wasn't ever going to amount to anything, and here I am!"  I sat there in disbelief.  I just cannot imagine anyone ever crushing someone like that--especially a teacher.
I am glad that this young man believed in himself and is making his dreams come true.

Living in Town vs. Living on Base

      I found out this week that about 1/2 of the families who will be transferring out of the country with us will be living on base while the other 1/2 will live out in town.  There are pros and cons to both.  We don't know whether we will be one of the families on base or in town.  If we live on base, we will have the convenience of being so close to the Navy Exchange, Commissary, gym, movie theater, and other military families.  If we live out in town, we will have more of a cultural experience by having the opportunity to interact more regularly with the locals.

Proud of the "Popcorn, Anyone? 5 Ways to Respond to a Movie" activity I created today...

   
      I love creating things that others can use.  One thing I've noticed over the years is that it seems like the moment a teacher shows a video or movie, the administrators pick that day to visit classrooms.  That may be the only day of the year that you show a movie, but the odds seem to always be against you.  I have never shown a movie in my class that was not tied to content.  Still, I didn't want to have to explain why my students were watching a video rather than engaging in a more acceptable learning activity.  That is why I always wrote on the board the following:  Title of the film, Purpose for Viewing, and the Learning Standard(s) Addressed.  In addition, I gave each student a handout to complete while they were viewing the film.  This helped keep the students on task.
      "Popcorn, Anyone?..." consists of five different handouts.  Teachers simply have to pick one of the handouts and make copies prior to showing the film.  The handouts are suited for language arts, social studies, and even science.  Some of the handouts are strictly for fiction, others are more suited for nonfiction.  A couple of the handouts will work for fiction or nonfiction.

      I had so much fun creating this product.  I especially love the adorable graphics I purchased from www.scrappindoodles.com.  Popcorn, anyone?  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Popcorn-Anyone-5-Ways-to-Respond-to-a-Movie

Beyond Excited!!!

      I woke up this morning to my first sale on a teacher product I created.  I couldn't wait to tell my husband because he has witnessed the time I have put into creating products, blogs, Pinterest boards, and so on over the last 2 weeks.  He was very happy for me.  This evening, I noticed that I had a second sale and just a few minutes ago, I noticed a third sale.  I certainly hope that the teachers who downloaded the products enjoy them and are satisfied.  Even more importantly, I pray that the students love the activities.  Hopefully, they will return to my store and leave feedback.  I am beyond thrilled about this whole experience--yes, it was exciting making a sale, but I am in awe of how there is a whole community of teachers on TpT supporting each other.  Students across the country will reap the benefit.

Decisions...Decisions...about Japan

     Last night, my husband told me that there will be a Town Hall meeting for families to ask questions about our upcoming move to Japan.  I already attended 10-hours of meetings that covered such topics as driving in Japan, how to purchase vehicles, average price of a vehicle, local customs, sites to visit, the subway system, learning to speak the language, and how their restroom facilities are different than ours.  My biggest question right now is what will I teach--language arts at a DOD school or English to local Japanese students?  I have applied to teach at a DOD school.  I have heard that it is a great work environment.  I have also heard that Japanese students want to practice their English with Americans.  Students want to make sure that they are pronouncing words correctly and they want to learn the meaning of the figurative language we use in the states.  Tutoring Japanese students can be very rewarding--on a personal level and financially.  I had always planned on teaching at a DOD school in Japan.  However, since my husband will be deployed quite a bit during our stay in Japan, it may be best for me to tutor local students so that I can set my own schedule.  That way when he is home, I can spend time with him and we can travel.  Decisions. Decisions.
     If any of you have ever been in a similar situation, I would love to hear from you.  I really could use some advice.