Tips for Teachers

Using Sticky Notes to Teach Reading Strategies

March 15, 2017 by pathway2success 2 Comments

All grade and age levels need to concretely learn and practice active reading strategies. Just because reading comprehension strategies are more explicitly taught and focused on in primary grades doesn’t mean that middle and high school level teachers shouldn’t be teaching and reinforcing, too! Actually, as the content gets harder (around 5th to 7th grade) it becomes more critical that kids and young adults become stronger at utilizing active reading strategies on their own for continued success.

While there are many ways you can teach and reinforce reading strategies, one of the easiest methods includes think-alouds and sticky notes. It’s really that easy. The teacher should model reading a text aloud (which can be on ANY subject). As the teacher reads, he or she should stop and “think aloud” while using reading strategies. You might stop and say, “This part lets me really picture how water evaporates from the ground and becomes a gas” when reading a text on evaporation. You might stop and question, “I wonder why the Nile was such a valuable land for the early settlers” when exploring a text about early Nile civilizations. Besides just saying your thought, though, stop and actually make a sticky note. Then, add it to your text. Have your students practice the same.

Once your students understand how to use sticky notes while reading a text, have them do the same in partners, groups, and eventually independently. The ultimate goal is that learners are reading and stopping to think about what they are reading. It is helpful to have a foundational understanding of all the specific reading strategies, such as visualizing, making connections, questioning, and so on. This is especially true for struggling readers who need more concrete and explicit instruction. However, it’s more important that teachers expose their students to “stopping, thinking, and writing” than it is to wait until all reading strategies have been taught and mastered.

Some of the best specific reading strategies to teach include: monitoring comprehension, activating prior knowledge, making connections, visualizing, questioning, getting the gist, making inferences, determining importance, and synthesizing. Here is what each of those reading strategies really mean:

Monitoring comprehension is the first and most important strategy. It is teaching yourself to think about what you are reading. You might stop and highlight when parts are interesting or identify when you have no clue what you really read. It’s the most important strategy since it is the basis for all other reading strategies.

Activating prior knowledge means thinking about the topic of a text and considering everything you know about that topic. This is helpful for readers because it helps set the stage in your mind for further learning. Give a set amount of time for students to brainstorm what they known about a topic prior to reading about it. Then, give time for students to share out.

Making connections means relating what is read to things in real life or in other texts or movies. Making connections can be especially helpful when learning challenging science or math topics. Once you can relate a new concept to something else, it becomes much easier to generalize and concretely understand.

Visualizing is using the words in the text to create a picture in your mind. I often tell kids that it is like making a movie in your head using the text itself. This is also one of my favorite strategies to teach because you can use drawing or role playing to show how you visualize a text. A student might write, “I can picture when…” or “I can visualize this part in my head by seeing…”.

Questioning is coming up with questions about a text before, during, and after reading. This can also be a really fun strategy to teach, since it inspires students to engage in research and continued learning. Let students start with some stems such as “I wonder…” and “This part makes me question why…”.

Getting the gist means to put the “gist” or main idea of a passage in just a few words. This is the essential “did I really get that?” strategy, and a great tool for kids to use to make sure they are understanding what they are reading.

Making inferences is finding clues in the text to figure things out that aren’t explicitly stated. While this strategy is important in many texts, it is critical with higher level language and challenging novels. This can also be fun to teach when using news articles. Students might use this strategy starting off with “I can tell…” or “One thing I can infer is…”.

Determining importance is exactly what it sounds like: finding the most important parts in a text. While it sounds simple, it is often more challenging for students to learn. By forcing kids to identify what the three most important parts in a text are, they must really look critically at the text and use higher order thinking skills. Students might write, “I can tell this part is important because…”.

Synthesizing means being able to change your thinking after reading a text. It is putting different texts or media together to have a new understanding on a topic.

So get a few stacks of sticky notes and practice reading strategies in your classroom today! Note that it can be fun to have a variety of different sticky note sizes and colors so that your students can choose their own.

Reading Comprehension Lessons

If you are looking to get started right away, consider for the full reading comprehension lessons guide. It includes lessons for teaching: monitoring comprehension, activating prior knowledge, making connections, visualizing, questioning, getting the gist, making inferences, determining importance, summarizing, and synthesizing.

If you find yourself needing more than lessons, the Reading Comprehension Bundle includes 27 lessons, task cards, posters, journal prompts, a bulletin board, and more!

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How to Progress Monitor Goals and Objectives

January 7, 2017 by pathway2success 2 Comments

As a special education teacher, I work to stay on top of my progress monitoring for the kids on my caseload. Between juggling IEP meetings, parent phone calls and emails, collabing with regular education staff, prepping, and teaching my daily lessons, it gets challenging. This problem is even more difficult at the middle and high school level, when the kids need their valuable resource room time to focus on complex homework assignments and projects they genuinely need help with. So, to solve this problem, I developed a Weekly Goals Worksheet that you can download for free and use right away. The idea is really simple: I give each student one worksheet a week on Friday. I make the worksheets far ahead of time, using their individual goals and objectives from their IEPs (Individualized Education Program). That way, I keep track of data on all goals and objectives for all my students throughout the year.

Here is how I do it:

Get your free Weekly Goals Worksheet

1. I make several copies of the Weekly Goals Worksheet. Download the free Weekly Goals Worksheet if you don’t have it yet! I always keep extra copies on hand. Essentially, you’ll need at least 2 per objective, so the number will depend on your students.

2. I print out my students’ IEPs. I personally love having a paper copy to reference, but you’re welcome to just work from the online document if that works for you. Working on one student at a time, I go through their goals and objectives.

3. On the Weekly Goals Worksheet, I write the first goal and first objective on top of the page. Then, I’ll create 5 sample problems for that specific objective. For example, if the student’s math objective is to add and subtract fractions with common denominators, I would write out 5 different problems on the worksheet. I always make at least two separate Worksheets for the same objective. I make copies of them, too. That way, I can reuse the same worksheets for the student, as needed.

4. I continue this process for each goal and objective. I then place all the worksheets into a student binder and label it “Weekly Goals”. Using simple tab dividers helps you separate the different sections.

5. On any specific day (I choose Fridays), make it a routine for your students to complete a Weekly Goals Worksheet in their data binders. For most students, you can probably assign which page to complete. For students who are more work-avoidant, you can allow them to work on any page of their choice.

For some goals/objectives that are more difficult to measure this way, I’ll ask the student to turn in a piece of work to me. For example, let’s say the objective is to “Answer open-ended text response questions by turning the question around”. I will ask the student for a piece of writing that would require this, such as history textbook questions or reading response questions. I’ll choose the first 5 questions. Then, on the Weekly Goals Worksheet, I use those 5 questions to assess his or her progress on the objective. How many of those questions did the student actually turn the question around? If it was 3/5, the score would be 60%. I staple the student page to the Worksheet (or make a copy if he/she needs it back!).

I will admit this does take some time and work to prep ahead for. However, once you do the work, you are all set to take all the data you need. Best of all, it allows you to be totally prepared with data for all the IEP meetings and parent conferences. Of course, this makes it so much easier to write specific goals and objectives for the next annual review. You can start small by choosing just 2 or 3 students you know you need to collect the most data on. Then, once you get more comfortable, you can grow from there.

If you are a special education teacher needing ideas for more progress monitoring, consider my Special Education Teacher Binder. Materials focus on IEPs and team meetings, progress monitoring of academics and behavior, classroom materials, building a classroom community, planning, lessons, organization, and other forms to make the life of the special education teacher easier. For many forms, there are two different versions so that one is editable for your individual need as an educator.

5+ Ways to Encourage Gratitude

December 26, 2016 by pathway2success Leave a Comment

Gratitude means feeling thankful and appreciative for what you already have. By just taking the time to recognize what we are grateful for, we can become happier, more relaxed, and keep a positive mindset. Encouraging kids and young adults to develop gratitude has been an interesting area of study. Some research highlights that getting in tune with your gratitude help social, health, and emotional well-being. Just a few examples include better relationship skills, more trusting of others, fewer feelings of stress, better ability to bounce back from challenges, reduced feelings of jealousy, and improved quality of sleep. In order to really teach and encourage gratitude with kids and young adults, we have to first understand it ourselves, though.

So how does gratitude really make us happier? It just makes sense, really. The more you pay attention to the positive things in your life, the happier you will be. Best of all, there are truly SO many things to be grateful for each and every day. Too often, we overlook the small things (and even the big things) that add to our lives. You might be grateful for: Your sister helping to clean up after a family dinner, the smell of rain in the spring, how great you feel after a morning workout, the taste of your favorite dessert, or the ability to stay in touch with your cousin who is thousands of miles away. Talking and writing about those things we are grateful for really brings them back to life. Once you do, you realize how much you really have to be grateful for.

Here are some simple ways you can encourage gratitude with kids and young adults:

1. Start a daily practice. Have students write down at least one thing they are grateful for every day. This can be a simple routine first thing in the morning or before students go home at the end of the day. It doesn’t have to take long, but it will start to positively impact kids and young adults. By recognizing what they are grateful for, both big and small, students will see that there is so much positive around them. You can start with this free Gratitude A to Z printable.

2. Say “thank you”. And encourage others to say it, too. Make it a normal routine to express gratitude when someone does something kind. Not only will it help you express your gratitude, but it can be a quick statement that means a lot to someone else. Best of all, it really doesn’t take any time at all.

3. Use gratitude slips. These are a simple and really fun way to tell someone else you appreciate them. Print these free gratitude slips on different colored paper and hang them around. When someone wants to use one, they can just simply rip the slip off and kindly say “thank you”.

4. Start gratitude journals. One of the best ways to practice showing your gratitude is by writing in a gratitude journal. All it takes is 5-10 minutes per day that you dedicate to writing in a journal about what you are thankful for. If kids struggle with writing skills, they can simply make bullet points or lists. Gratitude journal writing is a fantastic activity to do in the morning to start the day off with a positive mindset, or in the afternoon to bring positive closure to the day. Teach kids that they can write about anything: feeling healthy, a certain best friend who can be trusted, or being able to watch the phases of the moon. Over time, research indicates that gratitude journals help build positive thinking skills and increase happiness. These effects don’t just happen overnight, but are grown over time.

Strategies for practicing gratitude with kids and young adults do not have to be challenging! Have students use an empty jar or tissue box and add their gratitude slips to it every day. They can read the slips when they are feeling anxious, worried, upset, or just need some extra positive in their lives! #gratitude #pathway2success

5. Make a gratitude jar. Just use any old jar. Clean it up and place it somewhere special. Once in a while (or every day, if you choose) practice writing down at least one thing you are grateful for. Write your gratitude note on a small slip of paper, fold it up, and place it in the jar. When the jar gets filled, open the jar and read all the things you are grateful for. Not only does it encourage kids to find and write more things to be grateful for so they can fill the jar, but it’s fun to reminisce and remember all the little things we have in our lives when we review them. This is also something easy that kids can do at home with their families.

6. Create a gratitude club. Find some eager students who want to work together to create a more positive community in your school or organization. Students can develop ways to share and encourage kindness and gratitude with others.

Teachers, parents, support professionals, and other adults can get a lot out of teaching gratitude to kids and young adults. If you focus on the positive things in life, you are just more likely to feel happy. In turn, you will return that happiness by being kind to others. It really becomes a cycle of kindness and a positive climate. While focusing on gratitude is great for all students, it can be especially beneficial for kids with special needs or emotional struggles. This includes kids struggling with managing their emotions or behavior. By focusing on the positive, kids can build their confidence levels over time. I have created a Gratitude Workbook where you can get all of these ideas and more resources for teaching gratitude. Best of all, not only will kids benefit from practicing gratitude, but all adults will, too.

Teaching Kids to Work Together

December 11, 2016 by pathway2success Leave a Comment

Having kids and young adults working in groups (and partners) is just part of everyday life as as teacher. It can feel wonderful when you see a small group of kids collaborating effectively and learning together about a new topic. It’s true that many kids really learn best from each other when compared to learning from a teacher at the front of the classroom. On the flip side, though, sometimes setting up groupings in your classroom can be a nightmare. Whether or not the groups work well can have a huge impact on your classroom management, lesson, and the entire flow of the classroom.

Here are some simple tips that teachers can implement in their classrooms to support and facilitate cooperative partners and groups.

Tips for Teachers During Group Work
1. Choose the groups ahead of time. It might be tempting to let kids pick their own partners, especially since it is quicker and easier on the teacher. Most of the time, this doesn’t work out nearly as effectively as teacher-chosen groupings. Spend the extra time up front to pick your groups and it will pay off ten fold. Ahead of time, you can make a list of a few possible groupings that work. Keep this as your backup if you forget to make groups ahead of time.

2. Give directions in many different ways. Once it is time to get started in a group, there are always a few kids who didn’t hear the directions and aren’t sure what to do. This can really create mayhem in group situations. Set up a routine with having directions written on the board, written on paper, said aloud, and/or listed on your website. Give kids multiple opportunities to go back to those directions without needing you right there in order to promote independence.

3. Teach skills for working in groups. Don’t assume that all kids know and understand how to work cooperatively in groups. Many don’t. Spend time teaching how to work effectively with partners and in small groups. Giving some “group ground rules” can save the day (and year).

4. Identify the kids who need stronger supports. Some students will need extra attention during partner and group time, such as reminder cards, frequent check-ins, or a checklist to keep themselves on track.

5. Give choice and differentiation in your group work. Provide choice and supports so that all kids have the opportunity to find success. Perhaps a student who struggles with writing doesn’t write the paper but draws for the group. You may also choose to have different groups doing different things. Give a lower level reading passage to those who have similar reading skills, for example. As long as each group is working and making progress, it’s okay if they get to their learning goal in different ways.

6. Modify assignments for students with special needs. Assignments that are just too challenging for kids with disabilities are a recipe for disaster when it comes to group work. Again, make sure that every student has a way to find success. Modifying each assignment specific to student needs is a way to reach that goal. Consider learning more about how to modify for students with special needs.

Working With Others – Groups and Partners

If you need more support in helping kids learn how to work effectively in groups, consider this Working With Others Workbook. Using this workbook, a teacher or specialist can work with a small or large group of kids to develop those cooperative learning skills necessary for success. The workbook is set up to be completed in order, with skills that build on each other. For example, kids will first learn and understand why it’s important to work effectively with others, understand how to be a responsible partner, and then even identify problem behaviors they might exhibit when working in groups.

When it comes to learning to work together, lots of guided practice will make the difference. Not only is group work is often something that kids really love, but a time when lots of student to student learning occurs. It will be worth the effort in the end!

How to Modify for Special Education

November 12, 2016 by pathway2success 3 Comments

Supporting kids with special needs works best when both regular education and special education staff work together. That’s why it is helpful for all teachers to understand how they can modify and accommodate for students in their classrooms. For newer teachers, learning that you need to modify work for kids of various levels can be a bit overwhelming. Even teacher who are highly experienced might struggle with how much to modify. It’s really a balance because you are constantly trying to find out what is “just tough enough” to push your students, with it still being at an appropriate level that can help them grow. Too easy and the work doesn’t really challenge them. Too difficult and kids might shut down, causing them to not learn anything at all. It’s okay (and actually good) to fine-tune your level of modifications over time.

Most importantly, if a child requires a modification according to their IEP, the teacher needs to provide it. The IEP is a legal document and those modifications and accommodations were agreed upon the child’s planning team. Some modifications are specifically listed, such as having a word bank or being able to use a calculator. Other times, modifications are left up to the discretion of the teacher. If there is something you are unsure about in the child’s list of modifications, talk to the spec

ial education teacher and get further clarification.

Here is a quick reference list for some ideas to pull from when you need to modify for a child’s assessment, homework, or other assignment:

Reduce the Workload:

Assign even or odd problems only – This is a great strategy for homework. It’s simple and quick for the teacher, but still gives the child similar practice to everyone else.
Select specific problems and omit extra ones
Give 1 essay question instead of 3 or 4
Give choice – Let the student select 10 problems to do or let them pick whether to do the front or back of a worksheet. This will help with motivation, too, since the child sees they have a choice in the assignment.
Put fewer problems on each page – This will be less visually distracting.
For matching, reduce the number of items to match or break them in half
Reduce the number of multiple choices – There will be less to select from. For example, if everyone else has a quiz with 4 possible multiple choice answers, your student might only have 2 or 3 options to choose from.
Eliminate true or false questions – These questions can be extremely tricky, especially for kids with language-based disorders.

Modify the Content:

Give a similar but different assignment with lower grade level material in area of weakness (math, reading, or writing) – For example: if the topic is computing with fractions, the student might be drawing fraction pictures. This will also help you target the “most important” concepts for the child to learn at the time.
Provide an alternative assignment – This can be a research project, hands-on project, lab experiment, or making a poster to show understanding of a topic.
Align student interest to the content – For example, you might focus on reading strategies while learning about trains.

Provide Supports:

Give a word bank for fill in the blank or when writing an essay
Allow students to type or orally report their responses
Give a specific list for steps to complete a task
Provide concept cards with an assignment
Allow the student to use their book or notes
Provide specific examples
Highlight tricky or key words in questions
Allow extra time
Allow student to work in quieter setting
Allow calculators
Allow for brainstorming prior to the assignment
Have adult read assignment to student

Learning to modify can be hard work at first. It’s best to give it a try even if you are not entirely sure it’s the right modification. Remember that you can always tweak your modifications as the year goes on. Most likely, you will need to continually reassess modifications and supports, since your students will be growing and making progress. And when in doubt, work with your special education staff to ask for feedback, support, and ideas.

If you are a special education teacher in need of a toolkit, consider the Special Education Teacher Binder. It is a huge compilation of special education resources. Materials focus on IEPs and team meetings, progress monitoring of academics and behavior, classroom materials, building a classroom community, planning, lessons, organization, and other forms to help make the life of a special education teacher a little bit easier.

9 Tips for Motivating Unmotivated Kids

October 22, 2016 by pathway2success 1 Comment

Many kids and young adults struggle with motivation. These are the kids who are slow to start classwork, often don’t turn in homework, and may even refuse to attempt any assignment they view as a challenge. It can be extremely frustrating, especially because these students are often bright and capable in their own way. Here are some strategies you can use within your classrooms to help support their needs while still holding them accountable.

1. Keep your expectations high. Even when kids are struggling with finding motivation, you want to give the message that you expect greatness from them.

2. Give choices. Allowing a choice in an assignment or task gives kids power and helps them feel more in control of what they are accomplishing. Choice can mean choosing between two different worksheets, choosing their own lab group, or choosing whether to write or type an assignment. Consider finding a choice that fits a student’s individual strengths or interests. If a student isn’t motivated to write a research paper on a famous poet, allow them to present about their favorite musical artist. Instead of completing a lab report on cells, have your artistic student draw and label a diagram of a cell. It’s okay to think outside the box with this.

3. Allow accommodations when necessary. Simple accommodations, like a word bank, a calculator, or a word processor can help kids get in a better mindset for finishing a challenging task.

4. Talk to the student. Find out what is behind the lack of motivation to complete work in your class. Perhaps the student struggles with your content area, doesn’t understand the way you give directions, or is having some major issues at home. Talk privately and compassionately with the student and you can find out a lot.

5. Work out a plan. For students really struggling with getting tasks done in your class, try working out some incentives. Find out what the student would like to work towards – extra points on a quiz, a homework pass, or sitting in a special spot in your classroom. Then, make a plan so that your student can work towards earning that incentive. Maybe when he or she finishes homework for an entire week, they earn something special. Not only does this give the student something to work for, but it also helps build your relationship, too.

6. Work through motivation challenges together. Use this Motivation Workbook to teach about motivation, identify motivational challenges, and make a plan for success. Consider trying the Free Motivation Workbook Sampler which includes identifying what motivation is, understanding lack of motivation, strategies for improving motivation, and a motivation journal.

7. Talk to other adults who work with that student. Look for trends. Find out where the students does well and find out how you can replicate that in your class. For example, I worked with a student who did considerably better in his history class than his science class. With some investigating, I was able to notice that the science class lacked the same structure that his history class had. It was a simple thing to replicate once the teachers were made aware. Another important consideration is the time of day that the student is struggling. Is it in the morning when he or she didn’t get enough sleep? Or maybe around lunch time is challenging after being in a less structured social setting? These are just some examples of what you can consider.

8. Talk to parents. When you find yourself not making enough progress with your student, talk to his or her parents. Share what you have tried and see if there is anything at home the child can work for and if parents could talk to the child, too.

9. Keep your cool. It’s easy to get frustrated at kids who lack motivation but remember that they are just kids. There is often a reason why students won’t initiate tasks, even if we don’t know that reason at the moment. Take your time working with the student and show you are proud when you see progress – even just a little means baby steps in the right direction.

12 TpT Tips You Need to Know

July 2, 2016 by pathway2success 1 Comment

12 TpT Tips You Need to Know Yesterday marked my 2 Year Anniversary with starting Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT) as a teacher-author. I really wanted to make a post to share some tips that have helped me be successful, but it actually turned into a therapeutic experience for me to look back on the experience as a whole.

I’m very serious when I say TpT has changed my life. I think back to when I got my first alert on my phone that I sold something. It seriously sold for 96 cents. I wasn’t even a Premium Seller at that that point yet, so my earnings were 28 cents. Yes, 28 cents! Yet those 28 cents would impact me (and my then boyfriend, now husband) more than words could say.

Hard work here on TpT really does pay off. I’m so grateful for this experience all the support of the entire community. So, here are some tips that I wish I knew about 2 years ago right from the start. And if anyone ever needs help, feel free to reach out! If you are interested in learning about becoming a TpT seller, feel free to read my free TpT Seller Guide or learn more about getting started (Note that these links do include an affiliate links, which means I will make a commission at no extra cost to you should you click through and start an account).

1. Embrace the TpT community. Get involved in the forums. Join some groups. I honestly cannot say enough positive things about you all here. You make everyone feel welcome and accept everyone with open arms. I love giving back by helping people in the forums. So, if you’re new, ask that question you’ve been thinking of! Don’t be shy – there are many sellers that are honestly happy to help you.

2. Focus on quality content. My best selling products are full of rich and robust content that is unique to my store. It takes more time and effort to complete, but the payoff is worth it. When I create something, I like to think, “Would I buy this?”. You are taking your own precious time and effort to make materials, so make nothing less than something amazing.

3. Keep your prices high. You are worth it! Don’t fall victim to thinking people will buy more if you way lower the price on an item. Charge what you truly believe it’s worth is. If it’s a great unique product, buyers will come.

4. Revisit your old products once in a while. It’s amazing how much and how quickly we grow as authors and designers. I just spend several days redesigning covers that I thought were amazing at one point. Since we continue growing, it’s important to take the time and check up on our older products to make sure they are up to par with our current materials.

5. Get on board with the bundles! I always say this is a win-win for both sellers and buyers. Not only do you sell more of your materials, but you are giving people a chance to get more for less.

6. Make the business investments you need to. You have to either think of this as a hobby or a business. Even if you’re just starting, it’s important to invest in what you need: clipart, fonts, computer programs, etc. Then, once you get going, consider other ways that will help your productivity like computer upgrades, Tailwind, having a logo designed, and more. I personally spend quite a bit on clipart and fonts every year. I don’t think of it as buying a new pair of shoes (even if it feels THAT good when you purchase). It’s a smart business investment that’s worth making.

7. Listen to the negative feedback. Some of my BEST products were created out of semi-negative feedback from buyers. Someone recently told me that one of my best selling items was “too basic”. I felt a mix of anger and heartbreak, especially considering all the positive feedback that item has gotten. But instead of ignoring it or feeding into negative emotions, I took that feedback into consideration and ended up making an entirely new (and more advanced) version of the product. A couple have already sold in just a couple days. So, always listen to your critics. They can give you your best ideas.

8. Invest in your brand. You should have seen my first logo that I made myself. It was horrendous and embarrassing. Having a professional logo and website (my website was JUST redone!) contribute to your image as a whole. I also recommend having a TpT designer do it for you- we have so much talent right here among us. Laine from A Little Peace of Africa has done mine and I highly recommend her!

9. Be open to new ideas. Sometimes my husband will tell me he thinks I should change something right after I put something up or think I’m “finished”. I honestly don’t want to hear that feedback, but he’s usually right. A fresh set of eyes can help give you new perspective on your products and store. Similarly, if you’re thinking of trying something new and innovative in your store, be brave. You’ll never know until you try it. Be open to new ideas, both with feedback from family/friends and your customers. We are always improving.

10. Think of your buyers as your friends. I actually learned this from a video I saw with Deanna Jump. It’s true. Your buyers and supporters are what keep you going. When someone has a question or problem, it should be extremely important to you. I do think it has helped me develop more repeat buyers and if nothing else, it’s the right thing to do.

11. Follow your passion! My BEST products have been created out of pure passion and excitement. I keep a list of ideas that I refer back to when I’m drawing a creative blank. Sometimes, though, I don’t even write an idea on the list. I get a new thought that I’m SO passionate about and start working right away. This actually just happened to me last week. When you are truly excited about a topic or project, the creativity just flows. It’s honestly the best feeling.

12. Know when to take a break. Most of us extreme-TpTers struggle with this, I think. I’m still working on it but luckily my husband keeps me in check (well, he tries to). You can’t accomplish everything in one day and if you get to a frustrating road block, sometimes it’s better just to start fresh the next day. Make sure to enjoy time with your family and still give yourself a break here and there.

Thank you all for these amazing 2 years. Dream big, work hard, and never give up!

5 Ways to Maintain a Work-Life Balance as a Teacher

December 29, 2015 by pathway2success 3 Comments

Many teachers struggle with maintaining a healthy work-life balance. I know I do. While it’s true that the majority of other jobs lend themselves to some work outside the 9-5 schedule, the life of a teacher is just different. There are a few big reasons why teaching so drastically impacts the work-life balance for educators. First of all, we’re dealing with the lives of children and young adults. Even when things are going well and we’re making good progress in our classrooms, we’re always thinking about those kids! Did that student really understand the lesson? Is this student making enough progress in reading? Is that student eating breakfast? The questions go on.

Also, there is always, always more work that can be done. No matter how many emails we read, another one pops up. The list of papers to grade almost never ends. And even when you have lessons planned perfectly for the week, there are always new ideas that come up.

Here are five simple ways to help maintain a good work-life balance in our world of education:

1. Leave e-mails at work

1. Leave the e-mails at work. Make a general rule that you won’t answer emails from home. That might mean you need to come in early or stay 20-30 minutes late each day, but that’s okay. It will make a huge difference in how much time you spend working each night. Another extra benefit is that it will reduce stress. We’ve all gotten that “hair on fire” emergency email from a parent at 8pm and have the need to head to the computer and write back right away. It would have been more beneficial to never have seen the email until the next morning. The truth is that it’s not an emergency and yes, the emails can truly wait.

2. Reduce your grading

2. Reduce your grading. There are a few ways you can accomplish less grading in your classroom. One way is to grade homework assignments for completion, rather than accuracy. Go around the room and check off who has the homework. Then, you can go ahead and review the homework as you wish. It becomes one less pack to take home. Another simple strategy is for students to grade their own papers. This also allows students to see their own mistakes as they go. Rubrics are also very helpful with reducing grading, because they make the grading process very clear. Students can even grade their own work before you see it and “double check” their grading.

3. Make dinner time sacred

3. Make dinner time sacred. Whether you have two or five in your family, dinner time should be something that is shared with the family. Make a general rule that work goes away once dinner hits the table. Let this be a relaxing and happy family time to chat about the day and what is going on in the world.

4. Find time for yourself

4. Find time for yourself. Schedule things you love doing into your week, so that they become a habit that you just can’t break. Whether it is daily reading, Zumba twice a week, or a weekly night out at a restaurant, make sure you incorporate such hobbies and activities into your everyday routine. It’s extremely beneficial to have something awesome to look forward to. Whatever you choose to do is also most likely going to reduce your stress levels, too. Even more, once you schedule these activities into your day or week, it really forces you to leave the work behind.

5. Let someone help you

5. Encourage a family member to keep you in check. Sometimes it’s easy to get lost in how much you are over-dedicating yourself to school/work. Talk to someone close to you about it, whether it is your spouse, best friend, brother, or mother. For me, this person is always my fiance. He can easily tell when I’m stressed with work and need a break, even when I am sometimes absolutely blind to it. Once you open up to someone, you can ask them to give you a polite hint when they think you are spending too much time at work or if you might need to put the computer away.

The work-life balance is always a struggle for teachers. We are tossed in many directions at once and we truly want to accomplish it all- that’s just our nature! It truly is in our best interest (and our students’ best interest!) to be well-rested, fresh, and ready-to-go for our students every single day. It’s okay if your work-life balance isn’t perfect yet, but let it always be something you’re striving towards.

De-stressing Tips for Teachers

December 4, 2015 by pathway2success 1 Comment

De-stressing Tips for Teachers Teaching is stressful. Mentally, physically, and emotionally, as teachers we give our all to our students and our profession. In addition to the hustle and bustle in our classrooms, many teachers have spouses, children, parents, and friends on our minds, too. We are pulled in many directions all at once and often put others first. It’s just part of the teacher mindset. This can take a huge toll on the well-being of educators over time. Here are some tips on how to de-stress and put yourself first for a change.

1. Revisit an old hobby. You really need to make the time for things you love doing, even when you think you don’t have the time. It could be as simple as reading, or a more specialized hobby like crocheting or playing guitar.

2. Find a workout routine you love. Research is very clear that physical exercise is one of the best ways to de-stress. It’s critical that you invest time into finding a workout routine that you really enjoy doing. One that makes you feel good. That might mean you’ll need to try out several different types of exercise before you find your thing- that’s okay. I remember about a year after I started teaching, I tried out the gym. I gave it a good try but it was more torturous going there than it was even worth. While some people love the gym, it just wasn’t for me. Luckily, soon after, I found yoga, which has seriously changed my life. It helps me stay fit while keeping my mind calm. Other teachers that I know love zumba or even jogging. It’s important to experiment and find what you love.

3. Spend time away from the computer. Sometimes we think that Facebook and Instagram is downtime, but we really need time away from screens and computers. Use that time reading a book, calling an old friend, or gardening. The time spent away from a screen will help you focus on yourself and destress over time. It will also make sure that you’re not over-checking your emails.

4. Pamper yourself. Consider getting your nails done, hair styled, or even getting a massage. As teachers, we love to help others and make others feel great. We need to make sure we do the same for ourselves!

5. Spend time getting organized. Much can be said for taking even just 15 minutes to reorganize your desk, calendar, and to-do list. A great tip given to me by a fellow teacher was to make tomorrow’s to-do list for the day before you leave. That will give you a sense of control over what has to happen the next day, and will give you a jump start when you get to your desk in the morning. Another option is to reconsider how you organize your plans, emails, or papers in your room. Try a new organization strategy that will put less work on you in the long-run, such a bin for students to turn homework into or a folder/cubby for each student when work needs to be returned. It might not be relaxing while you are organizing, but it will provide you with a sense of calm and relaxation after.

6. Use a journal. Just writing about your day can help melt the stress away. Share with your journal or diary why you are stressed and how you feel. It’s an extremely positive outlet that no one else will see but you.

7. Use aromatherapy. Many scents can be extremely helpful in calming nerves and allowing you to relax. Use a plug in air freshener by your desk or light a candle at home. Lavender, jasmine, chamomile, and sandalwood are scents known to reduce anxiety and stress.

8. Draw and color. Research has recently shown that drawing for adults is similar to meditation. It might seem silly but there are even adult coloring books and free coloring materials you can find online.

Remember that what is relaxing for one, may not be for someone else. Experiment and really find what soothes your soul. You deserve it!

Starting Up on TpT

October 15, 2015 by pathway2success 1 Comment

Getting Started on TpT Teachers are creative. It’s part of our nature and what we do every single day to help kids learn best. That’s why becoming a seller on Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT) can become a wonderful positive outlet for educators all over the world. I wish I had known about it years ago so I want to share my experience with others in hopes of inspiring someone along the way. Note: This page includes an affiliate link below, which means I will make a commission at no extra cost to you should you click through and start a a new seller account.

Here is my own personal TpT story: In the summer of 2014, I was looking for alternative ways to earn extra money during the summer. I already tutored students but it was very limiting for me. Tutoring requires so much prep time (and yes, I’m one of the many teachers who prefer to over-prep than under-prep), so I was looking for other options. In addition, I was also seeking some type of teacher support community. I had just finished my Master’s degree and missed connecting with other teachers from all around. When I stumbled upon a link to Teachers Pay Teachers, I figured I might as well give it a try.

I made some quick freebie products and uploaded them. They were not anything special, but I learned that I really enjoyed making products and being creative. I explored the TpT site, eventually finding the TpT seller forums. These forums are the go-to place for sellers where you can ask and learn just about anything and everything. I realized I had found my community of teachers!

As a few weeks went by, I continued adding more and more products. I tried to think what other teachers could use in their classrooms to help them in the upcoming school year. Not long after, I got my first sale. I couldn’t believe it- someone actually purchased items that I myself created for other teachers! Of course, this only motivated me more. I worked tirelessly creating more and more products. It became a bit of an obsession – one that I absolutely loved! Ever since that point, TpT has been an integral part of my whole life. TpT encourages me, inspires me, and helps me grow as an educator.

Best of all, anyone can start as a seller on Teachers Pay Teachers. It’s free to start, fun to learn, and encouraging with a positive community of other teachers behind you along the way. Here are just some of my favorite reasons why being a TpT seller is such a unique and amazing experience:

You become a better teacher. Making new educational products help you stay on the forefront of what’s working in education. Both by creating new products and seeing the products of other sellers, you are immersed in teaching ideas, curriculum, and strategies on a constant basis.
Creating new products helps your creativity flow. This helps you create great new materials that others will purchase, but the creativity also overflows into your own classroom.
TpT is a community. You will meet the most amazing, creative, and kind teachers who will support and encourage you along the way.
You earn extra cash. While this isn’t the only (or main) reason for many TpT sellers, it’s fair to say that earning some extra cash for your efforts is a huge plus! First it will be coffee money, then shoe money and school supplies, and eventually (with LOTS of hard work and time) you might even be paying your rent or mortgage.
You become a mentor to newer sellers. There is such a special feeling about helping new teacher-authors and really giving back to the community. With the TpT seller forums, you are always able to be a support to sellers just beginning their journey even soon after you’ve started your own.

Free TpT Seller Guide

If you haven’t started yet, you need to try! First, sign up for a TpT account. Then consider checking out my free TpT Seller Tips & Tricks Guide that will help you find success as a TpT seller. Whether you are completely brand new to the idea of Teachers Pay Teachers, or you’ve recently started and need some tips, this guide can help. I’m also always willing to help support new sellers with questions, thoughts, and ideas along the way. Remember that here at TpT we are a community and we are capable of great things together!

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