In our Meet the Maker series, we shine a light on some of the many talented educators behind the resources on TPT, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at their process and their story.
When Chandra Martin of Teacher Gameroom decides to make a game, she thinks about how much she loved playing digital games in elementary school and asks herself how she can create something that will make the classroom a better place. “I think about how much fun I had learning,” she says, “I want both teachers and students to have fun.”
We caught up with Chandra to get the scoop on how her childhood love of games has influenced her resources. Read on to learn more about how she creates engaging PowerPoint games that delight the whole class.
What’s a piece of advice you’d share with educators?
Ask for help when you need it. Don’t be shy about it.
What are two resources you’d recommend?
I loved learning fractions in school and loved teaching them, so my “Fractions Unit Worksheet Bundle” is the first I recommend. Each topic has guided notes and examples for students to try as well as a variety of activities to reinforce the topic.
Fraction Unit Worksheet Bundle
Grades: 3rd-5th | Math
The next is one that is significant to me and my store. It’s a community helpers game. It was the first game I created when I made the decision to start branching out from just Math and ELA games.
Who Am I? – Community Helpers Powerpoint Game #1
Grades: PreK-2 | Civics
What inspired you to start selling on TPT?
At first it was just a side hustle. I thought, “If others can do it, so can I. Besides, fractions is my favorite subject to teach and no one else likes it. Let’s make fractions!” From there, I was motivated to create, not just for my students, but also for teachers who didn’t have time to. That hasn’t changed. I want to create resources that not only teach students to learn, but help teachers to teach.
What motivates you to create resources for teachers?
Students. It’s always been for the students. They’re the ones who motivate me to create. Although I’m not in the classroom, hearing from teachers that my resources helped their students motivates me to keep doing what I’m doing.
Tell us a bit about how being a TPT Teacher-Author changed your life.
I never imagined I’d have my own store with my own resources. You can almost say it was predestined because I always wanted to be a teacher and even created my own workbooks when I was 10-years old.
Becoming a TPT Teacher-Author has given me opportunities I never imagined. I’ve met amazing teachers and traveled to places I never thought I’d see. It allowed me to break out of my introverted shell that I’ve always had ever since elementary school.
What’s your favorite thing about being a part of the TPT community?
I love how we all help each other and give each other advice on how to run our stores.
What’s a life lesson you have learned from being a TPT Teacher-Author?
You can’t do it all alone. There are others who are on the same journey as you. Ask for help when you need it. Someone is always willing to help you.
It’s clear that you put a lot of time into your resources. Can you tell us more about your creation process?
- I ask teachers what they are working on, and also take a look at the calendar to see what they’re working on soon. I ask myself: What do they need?
- I choose the activity I want to create. Will it be a whole class review or is it something for smaller groups? Have I made something similar before?
- Once I’ve chosen an activity, I begin writing out the problems. I take a piece of paper, number from 1 to 25, and create the problems and answers.
- Once the questions and answers have been made, I’ll decide what clip art to use, based on the topic. For younger grades, I’ll use cute kid or animal clip art, and for older grades, clip art that looks more mature.
- Next, I’ll create the resource as a PowerPoint game. Once it’s completed, I’ll hand it off to my niece or nephew to play with.
- If everything is alright, I make three more versions: a printable task card version, a Google Slides version, and an Easel Activity. I’ll also make a printable answer key. Then, I’ll post it to TPT.
Where do you find inspiration for your resources?
My childhood. I loved playing digital games when I was in elementary school. I think about how much fun I had learning and I want both teachers and students to have fun
What are some ways you ensure your resources work with students?
I have three nephews and a niece. They LOVE when they can help with my business, especially my niece who keeps asking me to be a model for my pictures.
Who’s another Teacher-Author you admire?
Kelly Malloy An Apple for the Teacher. When I first started, I always admired her store and how organized she was. I was lucky enough to meet her at the second TPT conference, where we became good friends.
From their classroom to yours
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