Everything Elementary School - ALT Resources

Now that my time at elementary school is over, I figure that I'd create a link roundup to consolidate every post I've made about my time at elementary school! While elementary isn't that much different from junior high in the realm of teaching in Japan, there are some fundamental differences.

This list is still a work in progress because there are a lot of things that teaching elementary entails that I haven't necessarily posted about yet. It could just be that I forgot, so leave a comment here if there's anything that you'd like me to cover!

Cheap Travel Within Japan and Going Abroad

I recently posted about my Japan Bucket List, which has got me more motivated than ever to start crossing some of the things on there off! I'm on a poor teacher's salary, so I don't have a lot of money to spend on traveling (plus I really like to eat, so that's where 70% of my salary goes anyway). But I still make traveling possible!

I wanted to share with you all some of the methods that I employ when traveling. If you know of any that you'd like to share, please comment below! I'm always looking for even cheaper methods.

5 Options for a Phone Plan in Japan

If you'e just moved to Japan (or if you're responsible and like to plan ahead), one of your top priorities should be getting a working phone. The data options are indispensable, especially if you want to go exploring in your first few weeks and don't want to get hopelessly lost, ending up at a convenience store trying to score some free WiFi. And you need a phone number for a lot of things, whether it be setting up a bank account or making reservations at a busy restaurant.
Here are some of the options you have:

My Japan Bucket List

I think it's so important for everyone to have a bucket list of some kind. For me, it really inspires me and keeps me focused on my life outside of work. Sometimes, I get so caught up in what I do that I forget to have fun. I try to always do something every weekend, whether it's just exploring more of the city I live in, or the station I live by, because I know I'm never going to have this opportunity again. As cheesy as it sounds, I'm trying really hard not to take any part of my time in Japan for granted.

Image courtesy of www.leeabbamonte.com

And that's where my Japan bucket list comes in. A lot of these things aren't necessarily activities I can fit into one weekend, but rather require a three-day weekend at minimum, but it's always here to remind me to always keep exploring. I try to update this list as much as I can whenever I see something new and cool that sounds interesting. If anyone has any other suggestions, let me know and I'll check it out!