VIPKID -- ONLINE ESL TEACHER

I have been working for VIPKID for almost three months now. I heard about it from my cousin's wife who posted about how much she loved it on her Instagram account. It has been an absolutely perfect fit for my new life as a busy stay-at-home mom. I love focusing on my family, but I also have lots to offer the world as a result of my education and career experiences. VIPKID allows me to do both in a way that I feel comfortable. And extra money on the side is nice too. :)

WHAT IS VIPKID?
From my home computer in Idaho, I teach English to children ages 5-12 in Beijing, China. Parents book classes with English speaking teachers that can provide their child with valuable conversation practice and immediate feedback on pronunciation and sentence structure. Each private lesson lasts 25 minutes.


MY SCHEDULE:
I love that I can make my own schedule and teach when my Charlie Boy is asleep in the early mornings or in the evenings. I check the VIPKID app notifications on my phone for any new bookings, login to the VIPKID website, put on my headphones, and teach one-on-one 25 minute lessons to children aged 5-12. Very little prep is required. I just teach from the provided PowerPoint slides with a few fun props and visuals to keep the students' attention. It's so easy!

REQUIREMENTS:
To apply, you'll need a college degree and some teaching experience (even Sunday school counts). Then you go through the following process over video chat:
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1.) Interview
2.) Two Mock Classes (teaching an adult pretending to be a young Chinese student)
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Definitely do your homework first. Carefully prepare for mock classes with the PowerPoint slides they provide. Use your own creative props to make it interesting to a young child (online teaching requires even more enthusiasm to keep their attention), and watch YouTube videos from other VIPKID teachers giving demos and tips. I found the interviews to be fun and my mentors supportive and helpful. 

PAY:
Base pay for a 25 minute class is $8. So actually, it is $16/hour. But at the end of the pay cycle, you get an extra $1 per class you finish in the allotted time...so that's up to $18/hour. Then you get ANOTHER $1 per class if you complete 45+ classes in a pay period(one month)...so that's $20/hour!

But there's more! If you sign up for short notice classes (meaning you allow students to book you up to an hour before the class begins) you get another $2 per class! So potentially, if both classes in the hours are short notice, you are now at $24/hour!!

And there's EVEN MORE! If you teach a "trial" class (to a student just trying the program out) and they sign up, you get an extra $5 bonus. So there is the potential to make another $10/hour on top of the $24! 

There are also monthly and weekly incentives that provide additional opportunities for teachers to make extra money. 

MY VIPKID REVIEW
PROS:
1.) I love being able to use my creativity and training without having to spend hours prepping beforehand or hours grading afterward. 
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2.) I make pretty good money for working less than part time hours most weeks.
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3.) If I want to work a heavier schedule one week and a lighter one the next...no problem! It's so flexible! It would even be easy to teach these classes on top of an existing full-time job.
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4.) The students are adorable and entertaining every single day! They generally work hard and learn quickly. It is fulfilling to build relationships with my regulars. 
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5.) My daily uniform: a professional VIPKID orange blazer on top with sweat pants on the bottom...ha! My students never know how cozy I am!
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6.) There is a large, positive community of VIPKID teachers online who help each other out. Videos, free printables, Facebook groups, regional meetups, and discussion boards. They have been a great support group.
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7.) I have felt from the beginning that VIPKID is organized and clear about their expectations. They offer newsletters, teacher training classes, sample videos, and reminders. From what I understand, this company is growing very fast. It is obvious they are working hard to continually improve and update the way everything works everyday.
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8.) I feel supported by the company. Tech support can be contacted any time during a class, and very helpful to work with both the student and  teacher to get everything working smoothly. And I can contact educational support with a question or appeal that is always answered within a day or two. 
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9.) I love that I can replay a class afterward and learn from what I see. It's so valuable to watch and evaluate what did and didn't go well. I wish I had that option in my third grade classroom!
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10.) The app keeps my schedule, parent feedback, and lesson PowerPoints nicely organized and easy to access. It also allows me to chat directly with tech support and receive notifications and reminders about upcoming classes. 

CONS:
Like any job, there are a few things I don't love:
1.) Early hours. There is a time difference between China and America, after all. Sometimes, I open my camera to start class and I look like a zombie! Black eye liner has definitely been my friend and helped me look more awake. 
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2.) Sometimes students don't show up for class. This can be frustrating when I woke up at 5:30am to meet them. Luckily, as long as it's not a trial student, I still get full pay! Trial no shows result in half pay.
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3.) Even if I chose to word full time, there are no benefits. And if I suddenly get sick, canceling a class comes with penalties of varying degrees (depending on the amount of notice). This pressure has resulted in teaching classes when I felt awful...which then impacted my parent ratings. I miss the ability to call in for a sub without having my pay docked. 
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4.) Smiling for hours straight can be exhausting...and painful! Ha!


Overall however, I LOVE this job! I have been so happy. It has truly been a blessing in my life...and totally worth these few annoyances. I hope to work with this company for a looong time. 

Interested? Are you looking for a fun, flexible job you can do from home?

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!

Yes, I get a small kickback if you use my link (Thank you so much!)...but I have not been paid to give any certain opinion. All thoughts are my own! 

Best Wishes,
Rachel
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ART 101 FOR KIDS

THIS just posted on Teachers Pay Teachers! Over 20 pages of art activities and graphic organizers to aid in your art instruction of elementary-aged students! It covers a vast number of topics usually covered in an Art 101 course, but geared toward those little learners and can be assembled into cute, little learning booklets

This bundle includes the following subjects:

• Art Media
• The Color Wheel 
• Primary & Secondary Colors
• Complementary Colors
• Optical Color Mixing (pointillism)
• Cool & Warm Colors
• Value (tint & shade)
• Elements of Design
• Principles of Design
• Texture
• Symmetrical Balance
• Asymmetrical Balance
• Perspective
• Positive & Negative Space
• Facial Proportions
• Drawing Portraits
• Artist Study
• Art Critique

A Sneak Peek:

Fun, age-appropriate art critique organizer that allows students to collect information about an art piece as well as report their personal opinions! Can be applied over and over to any art being studied!

Clean, straightforward activity pages about color theory!

Experiment with color! Make that tree appear green without using a green crayon!

This packet was so fun to make, art being a particular favorite of mine. And these are so fun to put into action! Pull out the crayons and paint and use these engaging lesson resources throughout the year! 

Best Wishes,

Mrs. Ashmore
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TO ALL PARENTS

{This is a favorite post from about 4 years ago. Having just finished up parent teacher conferences, it's been on my mind a lot. Most parents are fabulous. But sometimes, I wish some would take to heart more seriously what I have to say at these meetings!}

I realize I don't know my students like their parents do, but I do think that spending six hours a day with the little squirts counts for something. And I really do have their best interest at heart. 

Here are a few things I wish I could tell all parents...from the desk of Mrs. Ashmore.


1. READ, READ, READ and READ SOME MORE with your child! Take them to libraries, talk excitedly about books, read them your favorite books, use books and reading times as rewards, have them read books to you...even have them write their own books. I can't tell you what a difference it makes on their academic performance. Parents always want me to give them a secret magical formula for success. And this is it. It is so simple, and yet has an insanely huge impact.

2. Throw the video games away. Every year, the kids with the worst ADHD....the ones with violent tendencies when things aren't going their way...the ones who drive me absolutely bonkers....are the ones who talk incessantly of video games. This may sound a bit dramatic...but video games will rot your child's brain.

3. Your kids are so capable. It's amazing what they can accomplish with some responsibility, direction, and trust. Stop doing everything for them and give them a chance to step up.

4. Talk to your child. This is the single most effective way to build their vocabularies. Low numbers of vocabulary words in a child's knowledge base will greatly inhibit their reading acquisition. Those entering school with lower vocabularies will almost never catch up to their peers. Talking with your children will give them practice with language, grammar, and interacting with others...all necessary skills. And it just makes them feel good to have you listen. =)

5. Missing school IS a big deal. Those two days that your child was absent in order to babysit her younger siblings, go snowboarding, or simply sleep in, she missed our lessons on nouns, breaking syllables, using guide words in a dictionary, explanation of the weekly vocabulary words, the spelling list phonics pattern, and multiplying by sevens facts. The "makeup work" I send home will never compare in quality to what they missed, and I simply do not have the time to re-teach those entire lessons just for your child! Plus, everything they learn tends to build on the previous lessons. The hole in their education stemming from those two days can haunt them for years.

6. Birthday invitations. I know it's convenient for you just to send them to school with your child to pass out to their friends...but you don't see the look on the kid's faces who aren't invited. It crushes their little hearts...and mine. Invite everyone, or send them in the mail.

7. Don't be a helicopter parent. Hovering protectively nearby to swoop in and save your child from consequence or discomfort, robs them of learning any lessons from those oh-so-important learning experiences (See # 3 above). Let me also mention, this type of parenting creates wussy crybabies. And they have to learn real fast that crying does not prompt me to swoop in and fix every little situation for them like would happen at home.

8. I know everything about you by the end of the school year...whether I want to or not. I know your level of education, the state of your marriage, your economic status, your religion, your values, your manners, whether you like me or not, your parenting skills, your top priorities, and even occasionally, your sex life. Kid's talk. Watch what you say.

9. Your child may be the center of your universe, but I have to share mine with 25 others. I saw this statement as part of a list found in the Reader's Digest a year or so ago. I love it. LOVE. IT. Often times, parents don't understand that I am working myself to the bone for their child...but I am spread rather thin.There is only so much I can do as a single person. Be nice to and understanding with your child's teacher!

10. I really do know what I'm talking about. I may look young, but I am a trained professional. I spent 6+ years learning how to educate your child, and I have 6 additional years of practical experience in this art. Don't discount my ideas because I can't possibly know what's best for your child. You may disagree. But do so politely, please.

11. Don't label your child in front of them. I have had so many parents inform me, with their child standing right there: "Suzy is so smart in math but will need a lot of help with reading." or "Steven is shy, so he may struggle making friends." "Billy is smart, he's just really lazy." People! Do you not understand what your words are doing?? Children will, rise up to meet your expectations. If you tell them they are a poor reader, shy, or lazy...they will become and always be, a poor reader, shy, or lazy. Those stereotypes are nearly impossible to break through.

12. I really do care about your kid. A lot. Please don't assume that I am "out to get him" if I need to share some academic or behavioral struggles with you. We are on the same team.

WISE WORDS

A small group of my 3rd graders talked as they worked on a Christmas craft. Somehow, they got on the topic of boys doing gymnastics. A sassy blonde with a mischievous grin stated with great authority that boys only do gymnastics so that girls will like them more. My interest suddenly piqued, I paused to eavesdrop.

The little guy next to her nodded seriously. "My big brother is always working out at the gym...except he's never been on a date. And he's eighteen."

Miss Blondie, suddenly aware that I was listening, turned to address me. "Mrs. Ashmore, the only reason Mr. Ashmore goes to work everyday is because he wants you to be more attracted to him." 

I responded with appropriate nods and words of validation. For this was valuable information indeed. :)

Though I couldn't help but wonder, as I continued on my way. Has Andrew been aware of this truth all along and using it to his advantage? 

And here I though it was my secret! 

Big trucks...ripped Levi's...heavy lifting...power tools...

Attractive indeed.

CAMPING THEMED CLASSROOM

I am so in love with my classroom theme this year! It was a blast to pull together, though it took a lot of work. I'm sure the principal, who walked in on me countless times working over summer vacation, thinks I'm insane. I tried to convince him that I really was having fun!

The camping and woodsy touches are fun and relatable for these small-town Idaho kiddos. The lighting is awful, so I apologize for the poor photo quality, but let me show you around. Many of my ideas are taken from the Internet and tweaked for my own use. I'll give credit at the end to those who inspired me!

In the hallway, I welcomed my new students with a silly display:

"3rd grade happy campers...the s'more the merrier!"

This wooden sign sat outside the door to give my room a real campground feel. Andrew helped me build it, and then I painted the lettering. This project cost nothing, because we used free pallets and wood scraps on hand. 

This is an activity we did in the first weeks. I wanted to incorporate fireflies somehow. Attempting to help them recognize the difference between long and short vowels, I wrote spelling words on Carson Dellosa cartoon fireflies and hid them around the room. After the kids "caught" a few fireflies each, we placed them in different glass jars based on the vowel sounds of the printed words. 

Afterward, we used yellow paint, our thumbs, and some black markers to create the above craft. They wrote a word with a long vowel sound next to each firefly in their "jar." Long Vowel Lightning Bugs. Super simple, quick, and fun learning activity. 

Inside, you get a view of our class library. The bulletin board over the books says "Reading Under the Stars" where paper stars dangle from the ceiling. I sewed those garlands together quickly using my sewing machine. 

For six months, I collected fake pine trees at thrift stores for cheap. They are placed throughout the room to make the room feel forest-y. A dollar store picnic tablecloth adds more character and color. A bunting made with camping themed scrapbook paper is strung behind my desk. 

The couch is decorated with forest animals and pillows with wood grain or leafy patterns. 

Kids can earn the privilege to read in this tent. Andrew and I built the frame before I simply draped fabric over the top.

The math fact charts I made on Photoshop using random Internet clip art. It is available to print at my TPT store HERE. 

I bought pine tree borders to decorate many of the bulletin boards in the room. 

And I added random forest animals. I thought the skunk was a cute way to reinforce my two classroom rules. 

I made this sign to post by the hooks where the kids hang their backpacks. It is available to print at my TPT store HERE. 

Of course we had to have a fire! I built this with rocks and sticks from our yard, a black fabric covered bucket lid, and tissue paper. Andrew's construction glue keeps it all attached. Inside the tissue paper is a string of orange twinkle lights. We plug it in and enjoy our glowing fire on special occasions, or when we are gathered around to hear one another's writing. 

A mini picnic basket holds the teacher's random junk. 

The kids work hard to earn "Cocoa Points" with good behavior (polite assembly manners, everyone getting their jobs done before the music ends, working hard to learn a new skill, etc.) After 20 marshmallow are added to the mug, we'll have a cocoa party! 

I found the four free woodland animal CAFE signs on TPT. Everything else is my own creation. The CAFE circles (along with a matching CAFE binder cover sheet) can be found on my TPT store HERE.

Each student chose a tent to represent them next to their assigned classroom job. Hence the "We All Pitch In" sign. I simply printed tent clip art on card stock.

Random reading corners are set up with kid-sized camping chairs or park benches acquired at garage sales.

I also printed signs on card stock that you might find posted at a real campsite and taped them to yardsticks. There are six of them around the room.

Well, that wraps it up. Thanks for stopping by!


Credits:

• I got the pennant flags in the hallway as a free printable from here. 
• My "Moose Ashmore" door idea came from here. 
• "Reading Under the Stars" bulletin came from here, though I added the hanging stars. 
• Printable camping signs came from this website.
• The original firefly craft came here. I added the vowel sound practice to it. 
• I saw a "marshmallow points" example here, but I used my own mug clip art. 
• A"Drop Your Pack" sign at a camping themed party inspired my own. 

TURKEY "DRESSING" {November Kid's Craft}

As a testament to how far behind I am, here is my Thanksgiving craft post. 

I copy a basic turkey outline (that I found in an old "The Mailbox" magazine) on brown construction paper, and then my kids and I have a discussion about the double meaning of "dressing a turkey". Then they are set free to decorate their turkeys however they please using scraps I've collected. 

This is one of my favorite projects of the year. Sometimes, the rows of identical kids' crafts hanging in the hallway can be depressing. But this project allows for individuality and true creativity...and the kids blow me away with how dang creative they can be. 

Here are a few of my favorites:

Please note the karate uniform, belt, Asian symbol.

The eye patch.

The dark mask and super hero cape.

Some even got together and made turkeys to go together. I love her pom poms and his shoulder pads and helmet...

Don't miss the stubble on the robber's chin and the bag of stolen goods slung over his shoulder. The policeman has a nightstick and a badge. 

Someone was still stuck on Halloween. The little vampire suit, red cape, and special hair do just kill me. 

This turkey's flowered hat and pretty parasol accessorize her beautiful summer dress.

The jeans and the hunting cap are perfect. 

Lady in pink.

And this turkey...I'm not sure. I stared at it for a long time trying to figure it out. Curly hair...sweat band...short shorts...gaudy sparkles...

The best conclusion I could come to was a Richard Simmons turkey...?? Ha!

Sorry about the lousy blurry pictures taken in our dark hallway. Hopefully, this still gives you some fun ideas for next year!

MUMMY ACTION WORDS {kid's craft tutorial}

So excited to share what my third graders did last week to display in the office. 

I wanted our display to have a fun Halloween touch to it, but still be educational.

I found a tutorial on how to make garden wire mummies on Pinterest, and the rest just kind of clicked and hit me like a lightning bolt. Mummy action words!

I found the wire at K-Mart in the garden shop for about 6 bucks. We needed two packages for the whole class.

Each mummy's framework was molded into the basic outline of a man.

Then I used the cheapest Wal-Mart muslin I could find and ripped it into inch-wide strips.

With an occasional dot of hot glue, we wrapped the bodies tightly with the fabric. 

We decided our mummies needed googly eyes too.

Then the class brainstormed action words they might demonstrate with their mummies. 

Their creativity blew my mind.

They were so excited to bring in all of their props from home.

Then we arranged them in the display case for the whole school to enjoy.

And enjoy they did.

This I know because the glass doors are always covered in heavy fingerprints. 

I don't thinkmy kids will ever forget now that verbs are action words. 

Just enjoy the other examples...they were all so cute I had a hard time weeding any out!

Dance.

Hang.

Swim.

Ride.

Sit.

Love. 

(Hugging a sheep?)

Hide.

Climb.

And my favorite: escape. 

We put this mummy on top of the display case instead of inside it. :)