Product Development Archives

Branching Out: Creating Graphics

One of the most common questions I get through emails and on my blog is: "How do you create your product covers/backgrounds/images etc.?" I am always surprised when I get this question because I have never thought of myself as a particularly artistic person. However, I have always enjoyed playing with graphics on the computer. Since starting to sell my products on TeacherPayTeachers, I have poured myself into learning about graphic design and my creative side has certainly emerged. I have loved every minute of it and learnt so much! I thought I would share[...]

Product Development

5 Reasons Why I Love Teaching Figurative Language

1. It’s all around us. I regularly hear the question, ‘Why do we need to learn this?’ For figurative language the answer is simple: Because it’s all around you. From popular song lyrics to political speeches, figurative language is prevalent. This makes teaching relevant as students can actually engage with the application of this linguistic technique in their everyday lives. I ask them to bring in cuttings of newspaper headlines, to present their favorite song lyrics, to do collages of advertising slogans – it’s fun and engaging. Personally, this is[...]

Product Development

Using Music Videos in the Classroom

A few months ago I had a startling revelation. Before I explain this, a small disclaimer: When I say ‘music video’, I am not talking about those verging-on-pornographic spectacles of musicians exposing far too much skin and dancing in inappropriate ways, which are degrading and contribute to unrealistic expectations of beauty and sexiness (can you see me on my soapbox?). I mean those meaningful narrative videos, which add layers of subtext to the song, portray the essence of the lyrics and contribute to its effectiveness. Got it? My revelation was this:[...]