TPT Seller Challenge: DARE TO DREAM

I can't believe it's time for week 2's challenge! 

Growing up it was just me and my mum. My dad popped in and out of my life(we're great friends now) but my mother was my constant, my best friend. She passed away almost 5 1/2 years ago at the age of 60. She was an inspiring teacher of almost 40 years who dedicated herself to her work and who inspired me and countless others to enter the profession or to be the best they could be regardless. 

Why am I telling you all this? Well this week's challenge is…

I dream of making my mother proud. 

Every day I go into work with the intention of being the best I can be- my mum only got to see me be a teacher for 3 years and I still strive to make her proud. My main reason for being part of this amazing teacher community is to drive myself further towards my goal of being the best I can be for my children, to continue learning and improving, to keep me on my toes!  

As far as financial dreams, well, here goes…

Mr T and I don't have a family yet but we're hoping it's too not far away and, whilst I know I would return to work, I would like to not worry about the big drop in pay that taking a year off on maternity would cause. As it stands, a full year off would be a stretch but if my TpT store could start to turn a profit then I know that this is something that I would do without a second thought.

We love to travel to other countries but are very much aware that we also live in a beautiful country- we would love to own a vintage camper van and just set off to a random part of the UK for a weekend so this is something I would definitely splurge on!

When my mother passed away I was in the position to donate money to her school to develop a Storyteller's Garden, something she had always wished she could give the children she cared so much for. I would love to be able to give back to the children of my school in a similar way- our school isn't in the most salubrious of areas and money is tight for both the school and our families but I would love to provide experiences and equipment to enrich the lives of the little ones we care so much about.

I'm loving reading all of your hopes and dreams- thank you!
I think it's so brave of us all to share them, fingers crossed they come true Xx 

Click on one of these lovely ladies buttons to hop and nose at our lovely communities BIG DREAMS

Sunday Scoop

I'm linking up with the lovely ladies over at Teaching Trio this week to help focus my mind.

I don't know about you but at this time of year I've got a million and 1 things floating around in my mind and I am by no means a completer- finisher!!! 

At the minute I'm swimming in a sea of planning for a lesson observation, tidying my classroom, keeping on top of marking, submitting my end of year levels, covering the last few things of the curriculum, updating policies, designing my new classroom and planning fun activities and trips for the last few weeks of school! Add to this the fact that I, like most teachers this time of year, am utterly worn out and the children are hyper, hyper, hyper!

So, to help focus my mind I'm sharing my Sunday Scoop…

With only 4 weeks to go until we break up for Summer, we are all planning our final Performance Management observation lessons. This time it needs to be a in a Foundation Subject so I've chosen Music- if you have ever heard me sing then you would find this hysterical but I think I'm going to rock this lesson- PMA all the way! Ha! 

Even though my little ones have done their KS1 SATs and I know which levels I will be recording them as, I'm going to give them assessments which are in-line with the New Curriculum just like the rest of the school so that I can highlight any gaps which may present a problem for their Year 3 teacher and I will try my best to plug them over the coming weeks.

Last week we had a H&S audit- I was named and shamed in the report! It's no secret in school that my huge walk-in cupboard is a total tip but it's one of those things I've just never got time for! After the audit….I've got to make time!

I've been taking part in the TPT Seller Challenge along with many wonderful teachers and Week 1's challenge was to make-over products we already have in our stores- I'm now on a mission to make-over  all of my old products. Read here to get links to already made-over products and snag them at discounted prices!

This weekend is my cousin's 30th Birthday so I'm heading home to have a wonderful night out with all of the girlies in my family. I'm the only one who lives away so it is always amazing to be spending time with them- they are my bestest of best friends! 

The problem is…we live in Merseyside so if you know anything about Liverpool then you will know that you have to look your best when you go out for the night and finding an outfit I love is proving a little tricky…only 4 more days to sort one out! Fingers crossed! 

Click on the button to head back to Teaching Trio and hop onto some other Sunday Scoops 

Five for Friday: Product Make- over Edition!

I know I'm late to the party, what with it being Saturday and all, but better late than never! 

It's been a while since I've linked up with Doodle Bugs Teaching and I've missed it!

I've decided to mix things up a little this week and tell you about the TPT Sellers Challenge I'm taking part in with the fabulous Amber over at Peppy, Zesty Teacherista, Ashley from Teach, Create, Motivate, Jen at Sparking in Second and Emily over at Third in Hollywood

Step 1 on the sellers challenge was to note down all of your starting stats. 

I'm not the biggest force in the Teacher Social Media universe but I'm also not too embarrassed by my stats- I know it takes a lot of hard work and time to build up a network of teachers. The stat I'm most hoping to improve is my TPT stat- I've been stuck on 86 follower for about 3 months now and my sales aren't that big- 1 or 2 a month yet my freebie downloads stats are quite big . The link to my store is here- I'd love it if you took a peek and gave me some feedback. 

I was so overwhelmed to see that, after only 2 days, my stats were on the up! 

Woohoo! Go TPT Seller Challenge!!!!

I'm loving the fact that each week we will be set a challenge- this week it was 'Make-over'!!!! 

Woohoo!!! Just to make sure I was ready I also purchased a pair of 'Clueless PJ's

Can you say 'total betty'??? 

I chose to make over a product I love using with my class-

I love how clean the new cover looks even though I kept the same background and clip art. 

It is a simple Scoot activity where the children are given a 2 digit + 2 digit addition calculation and 3 possible answers. During my BUILD maths session I used the Scoot as an 'Independent' activity and had the cards as a 'Diving in Deeper' activity where the children had to use their number knowledge to explain why/ why not one the possible answers was correct. 

It also ties in with 3 other 'Space' themed products in my store. 

Make-over Madness didn't stop with just one product- oh no! I'm on a roll now! 

I've actually been going through my products for the past month or 2 and revamping them.

I've been inspired Schroeder Shenanigans in 2nd's amazing product covers for her Nerd Alerts units and have been aiming for a more standout title panel and more information on the cover. 

My best selling product is my CUBES Mnemonics set so I decided to also make over my Problem Solving bundle- 

Can you spot the new cover?

Just FYI my 2 Make-over Madness products plus all of my 'Featured Products' are all $1 off until I finish school for the summer- that's 4 weeks away still!!!!!

As I continue my Make-overs I'll also reduce those products by $1 too so keep your eyes peeled!!

I started making TPT products before I had my own button from Lindsey at L Paull Designs for All (congrats on the wedding!!!!) 

 So in the spirit of Make-over Madness- these products (which have my old logo on them) will be next on the list and reduced until the I have time to revamp them!

Click on my store button a the top of this page to snag a few bargains today or pictures to go directly to the products!

I can't wait to take part in week 2's challenge but until then you'll find me on the sofa in my 'Clueless' PJ's indulging in Make-over Madness!!!