I was in my favorite store a few days ago and was taken by the display of school supplies. If you know me, you know I LOVE school supplies. I firmly believe nothing cheers you up like a shiny new pen. Some may argue, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Anyhow, I walked through the aisles of folders, notebooks, pens (so many pens!), and pencils as I searched for the student planners. I know, I know. STUDENT planners?!? Yes. I am known to be freakishly organized about certain areas of my life and I like a student planner to keep me that way. I have tried other formats over the years, but I find student planners suit me best. As I've posted before, I like the ones by Mead because some of the models have zipper pockets for storage of pens(!), pencils, post-its, and flash drives. Everything in one place. Perfect. I looked and looked, only to find that particular model wasn't anywhere to be seen. I decided to look at some of the others. There were some very snazzy ones by Greenroom Eco; I have my eye on one in particular if I don't find my Mead somewhere else.
Until then, I'll just peruse the pens.
Showing posts with label School Supplies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label School Supplies. Show all posts
July 16, 2012
January 13, 2011
Day 85: WhisperPhones Are Here!
Yay! My WhisperPhones have arrived! I shared with my class today what they were and how we are going to use them in class and they are just as excited as I am!
Before I can use them, however, I need to label them and put them into individual Ziplocs. I don't like the idea of the students sharing them because of sanitary reasons, so I requested enough for all students (plus a few extra to allow for new students and possible breakage). I hope to have them ready for next week.
The next step in the process is to create a Thank-You package to send back to Donors Choose. If you are not familiar with this, once a teacher's project is funded, the materials are shipped to the classroom. Once the materials are received, the teacher has about a month to create the package. This basically consists of pictures of the students using the requested materials along with a few thank-you letters written by the students. I think it's the website's way of making sure people aren't just taking materials. Whatever the reasoning, I will be using the website again.
Anyhow, I'm excited, the children are excited, and we're ready to roll!
Before I can use them, however, I need to label them and put them into individual Ziplocs. I don't like the idea of the students sharing them because of sanitary reasons, so I requested enough for all students (plus a few extra to allow for new students and possible breakage). I hope to have them ready for next week.
The next step in the process is to create a Thank-You package to send back to Donors Choose. If you are not familiar with this, once a teacher's project is funded, the materials are shipped to the classroom. Once the materials are received, the teacher has about a month to create the package. This basically consists of pictures of the students using the requested materials along with a few thank-you letters written by the students. I think it's the website's way of making sure people aren't just taking materials. Whatever the reasoning, I will be using the website again.
Anyhow, I'm excited, the children are excited, and we're ready to roll!
December 3, 2010
Day 62: Time to Celebrate!
I am bursting at the seams with excitement. I simply cannot BELIEVE it! If I weren't sitting down right now, I'd be doing a little happy dance all over my living room floor. And who knows? I just might cut a little rug after I finish this post!
What, you ask, am I SO DELIRIOUSLY HAPPY about?
Well...
Come closer...
Closer...
Lean in...
Good. Listen...
MY PROJECT THAT WAS POSTED ON DONORS CHOOSE HAS BEEN FULLY FUNDED! HOORAY!
I cannot tell you how excited I was to open the e-mail tonight and find out that my class set of Whisperphones is no longer a wish, but a dream come true! One of the donors has children who formerly attended the school where I currently teach. (I didn't have her children, though.) She called it an early Christmas present. That, I think, is the understatement of the year!
If you've never tried Donors Choose, I urge you to give it go. You may be pleasantly surprised!
Have a great weekend everybody!
What, you ask, am I SO DELIRIOUSLY HAPPY about?
Well...
Come closer...
Closer...
Lean in...
Good. Listen...
MY PROJECT THAT WAS POSTED ON DONORS CHOOSE HAS BEEN FULLY FUNDED! HOORAY!
I cannot tell you how excited I was to open the e-mail tonight and find out that my class set of Whisperphones is no longer a wish, but a dream come true! One of the donors has children who formerly attended the school where I currently teach. (I didn't have her children, though.) She called it an early Christmas present. That, I think, is the understatement of the year!
If you've never tried Donors Choose, I urge you to give it go. You may be pleasantly surprised!
Have a great weekend everybody!
September 20, 2010
Day 15: Somebody Wants to Interview...Me?
No, the header isn't a typo. I really can't believe it myself. Not that it's a national newspaper or anything, it's for the local newspaper, but it's still sort of exciting.
Here's the deal. Over the summer I signed up for a class set of Whisper Phones on the website Donors Choose. If you're not familiar, DonorsChoose.org is an organization that helps supply classroom teachers with materials for their classrooms through donations by the general public. This is the first time I've used it, so I'm pretty excited to see how things come together.
Anyhow, the local newspaper is doing a series on teachers and how much we spend out of pocket for classroom materials. She found my name on the Donors Choose site (you can search by area) and contacted me through e-mail for an interview.
Any teacher can tell you (unless you are blessed to work in an unbelievably wealthy district/school) that we spend a ton of money on school supplies. I remember when I started teaching (in an urban school district; see earlier posts!), I was given a box of office supplies: a stapler, a staple remover, a tape dispenser, masking tape, scissors, some thumbtacks, and some extra stapler strips. That's it. I had to use whatever furniture was there to arrange my room (which isn't uncommon), but I literally had nothing else, aside from the curriculum books and teaching guides. No paper. No class library books. No computer games. No games at all (learning or otherwise).
In addition to my classroom decorations and necessities like a calendar and alphabet line, I bought my plan book, my gradebook, writing paper, construction paper, craft materials, games for learning, number lines, games for indoor recess, computer games, a tape player to listen to stories, mailboxes, desk organizers, chalk, chalkboard erasers, extra office supplies, books for the class library, flashcards, math and language arts manipulatives, science models, learning posters, and at one point, my own copy paper for the copy machine because the district couldn't afford it. Oh, and did I mention that most of my materials had to be bilingual or I had to buy two sets (one in English and one in Spanish) because my school had a very high ESL population? Listen closely. That's the sound of money sprinting out of my pocket.
My husband and I tallied up my expenses, and I was averaging $200 a month in extras for the class. Most of it was books and paper, but it was still a lot. And even then, thanks to good old Uncle Sam, I didn't spend enough to get more than a few hundred back. And the years I did spend enough to get more than that small sum back, it still wasn't enough to get back all of what I'd spent; only a fraction.
The students brought in items from a list given on the last day of school the previous year. They had to bring most of their learning materials, and if they didn't have them, couldn't afford them or get them from somewhere else, guess who was responsible? The list wasn't just pencils and a notebook. They had to bring their own pencils, crayons, markers/colored pencils, rulers, calculators, notebooks, folders, glue, scissors, pencil boxes/pouches, erasers, pencil sharpeners, and binders. They were also expected to bring paper towels, tissues, and wipes.
Now I work in a school with an actual supply closet (!). I don't go crazy with it; I just get what my students need because I know what it's like when you need something to do your job and it isn't available. That's more stress than necessary. I still spend quite a bit, but not nearly as much as I used to spend.
It cracks me up to hear some of the teachers complaining about how there aren't any materials or that the brands aren't what they would have bought. I think they should just be happy it's there. Let them go to my former district and try it for a bit. Puts things in a whole new perspective.
So I'm curious to see what this reporter asks me. She may just get an earful.
Here's the deal. Over the summer I signed up for a class set of Whisper Phones on the website Donors Choose. If you're not familiar, DonorsChoose.org is an organization that helps supply classroom teachers with materials for their classrooms through donations by the general public. This is the first time I've used it, so I'm pretty excited to see how things come together.
Anyhow, the local newspaper is doing a series on teachers and how much we spend out of pocket for classroom materials. She found my name on the Donors Choose site (you can search by area) and contacted me through e-mail for an interview.
Any teacher can tell you (unless you are blessed to work in an unbelievably wealthy district/school) that we spend a ton of money on school supplies. I remember when I started teaching (in an urban school district; see earlier posts!), I was given a box of office supplies: a stapler, a staple remover, a tape dispenser, masking tape, scissors, some thumbtacks, and some extra stapler strips. That's it. I had to use whatever furniture was there to arrange my room (which isn't uncommon), but I literally had nothing else, aside from the curriculum books and teaching guides. No paper. No class library books. No computer games. No games at all (learning or otherwise).
In addition to my classroom decorations and necessities like a calendar and alphabet line, I bought my plan book, my gradebook, writing paper, construction paper, craft materials, games for learning, number lines, games for indoor recess, computer games, a tape player to listen to stories, mailboxes, desk organizers, chalk, chalkboard erasers, extra office supplies, books for the class library, flashcards, math and language arts manipulatives, science models, learning posters, and at one point, my own copy paper for the copy machine because the district couldn't afford it. Oh, and did I mention that most of my materials had to be bilingual or I had to buy two sets (one in English and one in Spanish) because my school had a very high ESL population? Listen closely. That's the sound of money sprinting out of my pocket.
My husband and I tallied up my expenses, and I was averaging $200 a month in extras for the class. Most of it was books and paper, but it was still a lot. And even then, thanks to good old Uncle Sam, I didn't spend enough to get more than a few hundred back. And the years I did spend enough to get more than that small sum back, it still wasn't enough to get back all of what I'd spent; only a fraction.
The students brought in items from a list given on the last day of school the previous year. They had to bring most of their learning materials, and if they didn't have them, couldn't afford them or get them from somewhere else, guess who was responsible? The list wasn't just pencils and a notebook. They had to bring their own pencils, crayons, markers/colored pencils, rulers, calculators, notebooks, folders, glue, scissors, pencil boxes/pouches, erasers, pencil sharpeners, and binders. They were also expected to bring paper towels, tissues, and wipes.
Now I work in a school with an actual supply closet (!). I don't go crazy with it; I just get what my students need because I know what it's like when you need something to do your job and it isn't available. That's more stress than necessary. I still spend quite a bit, but not nearly as much as I used to spend.
It cracks me up to hear some of the teachers complaining about how there aren't any materials or that the brands aren't what they would have bought. I think they should just be happy it's there. Let them go to my former district and try it for a bit. Puts things in a whole new perspective.
So I'm curious to see what this reporter asks me. She may just get an earful.
August 21, 2010
Room Arranging Has Begun!
Oh, the joys of organization. Right. I was in the building this past week arranging my room. Painfully so. Here's the deal: temps were in the high 80s/low 90s, my building has no air conditioning, my room faces the bus loop (which is on the sunny side of the building--of course!), and air flow is not the best. Needless to say, I was a sweaty, stinky, tired mess at the end of the day each day. And I have more this week. Joy.
With all that said, however, I did make some progress. I cleaned out two of the four drawers of my filing cabinet. They all looked like this:
But then, about an hour and a half later...
Aside from the filing cabinet, I also managed to arrange my desks, get some posters up, and clean out my desk. I still need to reorganize my class library, and finish my last two file drawers. Really looking forward to that. (You can hear the sarcasm, right?)
On a brighter note, I did come up with more ideas to help make life a little easier. Grab a pencil or hit "Print"; here they are!
Hope this helps. More to come; stay tuned!
With all that said, however, I did make some progress. I cleaned out two of the four drawers of my filing cabinet. They all looked like this:
 |
| Overflowing. This is my Language Arts drawer. I have stories, writing projects, journals, and daily language practice in here. Sadly, this was not one of the two drawers I made it through on Friday. I just didn't have the energy to do it after the other two. However, Monday is a different story. |
But then, about an hour and a half later...
 |
| Progress! This is the first half of my math program, Units 1-6. Units 7-12 are in the drawer underneath. I literally could not get any more papers in this drawer before cleaning it out. Doesn't it look purty? |
On a brighter note, I did come up with more ideas to help make life a little easier. Grab a pencil or hit "Print"; here they are!
- Keep two copies of all worksheets. One for sending away to copy; one to have as a backup.
- File according to math lesson, social studies lesson, language arts story, etc. All sheets, models, overheads, and patterns go in the file folder. I also file writing, daily language practice, holidays, etc. by themselves. I'm a fan of color coding by subject, too.
- Keep a list of reference books written in the inside cover. For example, in my Black History Month folder, I've listed all of the books and stories I have in my library so I can pull them when needed.
- Keep duplicate overheads. When you have the same overhead to reference across several lessons, you won't have to hunt around or try to remember which story/lesson to file it with.
- Before sending out your family welcome letters, check your roster against the nurse's roster for food allergies. You can put the information in your letter so parents are aware before school even starts. Useful for snack time and class parties.
- If your materials come in shrink wrap, use an envelope opener. You will save time and your scissors can take a break.
- Use painter's tape to put up decorations. It's less messy than Sticky Clips and comes off better than regular masking tape. Your custodians will thank you.
- When putting your items together for students, make at least one extra set. (This means books, folders, journals, parent info sent during the first week, etc.) If you get a new student during the year, you don't have to hunt around for the materials. A set is already there. See below.
 |
| Ready for a new student. Paperwork is in a separate folder in my desk. |
Hope this helps. More to come; stay tuned!
August 11, 2010
More Preparation
I've been slowly getting my school supplies. (I like to catch the sales, so I get a little each week.) This week I stocked up on Crayola crayons, 25 cents a box, down from $1.19 a box at Target. Good deal made better considering I had to buy 24 boxes!
I also bought my pens from Office Max. If you are like me, I am particular about what I write with on a daily basis. I like pens with brightly colored ink, medium to large points, and thick barrels, preferably with a gel cushion or something. I usually buy Pentech pens, but I found some pens with my specifications at a great price: two packs of five for just over $3.00. (They are buy one, get one this week.)
I still need to order school supplies online; that will be done in the next two days or so. Hopefully what I need will still be in stock. It's a bit late, true, but I also have two school-age children I've been simultaneously buying supplies for as well.
We're finally down to the school clothes part. Although, I don't usually buy new clothes before school starts. I buy shoes and a few basics, but then I wait until after the school year begins to get the rest (when it's on clearance!). This is not to say my kids go to school in raggedy clothes. Definitely not. They have play clothes and regular clothes (for errands, doctor's appointments, church, and now, school). Play clothes stay home. (Although my youngest would have no problems wearing his favorite play shirt EVERYWHERE!)
Anyhow, I found that Jo Ann Fabrics and Big Lots are having their Teacher Appreciation Days this weekend, August 14 (Big Lots) and August 14-15 (Jo Ann Fabrics). Be sure to check your local area for offers from other stores, especially Borders/Waldenbooks, and some of the larger department stores. I've got my eye on a wicker chair at Big Lots; I've been looking for a new reading chair for class. I also have my eye on some safari-themed fabric at Jo Ann Fabrics. I want to make a new cushion for my chair and maybe new curtains for my classroom windows to add color. The beige and giraffe curtains I currently have are a little drab against the beige walls and cabinets of the room. Now I know I told you I was able to make said curtains for under $20. I am not going to spend a ton on fabric if I decide to make new curtains. With the current sale on the safari-themed fabric, (50% off), it comes to $3.50 a yard. Add an extra 20% off if I go on Saturday, and I can still get what I need for under $20. I guess I need to make a decision because time is ticking fast!
Three weeks. Sigh.
I'm slooowly getting there.
I also bought my pens from Office Max. If you are like me, I am particular about what I write with on a daily basis. I like pens with brightly colored ink, medium to large points, and thick barrels, preferably with a gel cushion or something. I usually buy Pentech pens, but I found some pens with my specifications at a great price: two packs of five for just over $3.00. (They are buy one, get one this week.)
I still need to order school supplies online; that will be done in the next two days or so. Hopefully what I need will still be in stock. It's a bit late, true, but I also have two school-age children I've been simultaneously buying supplies for as well.
We're finally down to the school clothes part. Although, I don't usually buy new clothes before school starts. I buy shoes and a few basics, but then I wait until after the school year begins to get the rest (when it's on clearance!). This is not to say my kids go to school in raggedy clothes. Definitely not. They have play clothes and regular clothes (for errands, doctor's appointments, church, and now, school). Play clothes stay home. (Although my youngest would have no problems wearing his favorite play shirt EVERYWHERE!)
Anyhow, I found that Jo Ann Fabrics and Big Lots are having their Teacher Appreciation Days this weekend, August 14 (Big Lots) and August 14-15 (Jo Ann Fabrics). Be sure to check your local area for offers from other stores, especially Borders/Waldenbooks, and some of the larger department stores. I've got my eye on a wicker chair at Big Lots; I've been looking for a new reading chair for class. I also have my eye on some safari-themed fabric at Jo Ann Fabrics. I want to make a new cushion for my chair and maybe new curtains for my classroom windows to add color. The beige and giraffe curtains I currently have are a little drab against the beige walls and cabinets of the room. Now I know I told you I was able to make said curtains for under $20. I am not going to spend a ton on fabric if I decide to make new curtains. With the current sale on the safari-themed fabric, (50% off), it comes to $3.50 a yard. Add an extra 20% off if I go on Saturday, and I can still get what I need for under $20. I guess I need to make a decision because time is ticking fast!
Three weeks. Sigh.
I'm slooowly getting there.
August 5, 2010
Planning
Okay. Today was spent going through my beginning-of-the-year checklist. You know, the list that reminds me of what needs to be done to prepare for the school year and what to get finished. I've begun gathering things for this school year. I've gathered plastic twin-pocket folders to use for take-home folders. (I like these better than laminated folders because they are extremely durable. Got them on sale at Target this week for 35 cents each.)
I also purchased my personal planner. I use a Mead student planner because I prefer the layout to other planners I've used--and I'll admit, I like the funky patterns.
Past that, I've been taking inventory of extras. You know, the things you wish you had when something happens, but didn't really think of getting until something happens. My classroom "extras" list is comprised of:
My personal "extras" list consists of:
Other things you may want to keep (locked away) in your room are:
I also purchased my personal planner. I use a Mead student planner because I prefer the layout to other planners I've used--and I'll admit, I like the funky patterns.
Past that, I've been taking inventory of extras. You know, the things you wish you had when something happens, but didn't really think of getting until something happens. My classroom "extras" list is comprised of:
- Band-Aids
- Kleenex
- Select-a-size paper towels (Just the right size for little hands.)
- Hand sanitizer (If your school permits it.)
- Ziploc baggies in snack and sandwich sizes (SO many uses!)
- Baby wipes (If you use them for the overhead or wiping small hands, you can usually get away with cutting them in half before use. They last twice as long.)
- Hand soap refills (I find that foaming hand soap is easier to rinse and lasts much longer than regular liquid soap.)
My personal "extras" list consists of:
- Deodorant (No A/C in my building!)
- Safety pins
- Extra body spray (See note about deodorant!)
- Mints
- Lip gloss
- Personal hand sanitizer (For use after sneezing, coughing, touching student papers and folders, etc.)
- Excedrin
- Personal sewing kit (For those little mishaps.)
Other things you may want to keep (locked away) in your room are:
- Extra batteries (For games and gadgets that need them.)
- Screwdriver (For getting backs off of said games and gadgets.)
- Disinfectant like Lysol
- All-purpose cleaner
- Sponges
July 6, 2010
It's Begun
Well, it's a few days past my "official" beginning of back-to-school planning, but I did get some things done. Last night I took an inventory of things I need to purchase or make for next year.
I try to be as frugal as possible in my selection of where to buy school-related items. Sites/companies I order from are: Classroom Direct, a division of School Specialty, Really Good Stuff, and Carson Dellosa. The stuff I order online is usually nametags, bulletin board sets, games, and indoor recess activities. Stores I peruse are Target, Dollar Tree, Five Below, and Big Lots. I purchase baskets, books, wipes, desk supplies, post-its, thank-you cards, my personal planner, computer paper, etc. The trick is to buy what you need when things are on sale (except Dollar Tree because the prices are the same all the time). Check the fliers in your weekly Sunday paper or bookmark the sites to follow the ads online.
Other places to consider when getting things for your room:
A final way to save money is to make things yourself. There are many fonts and clip art images out there just waiting to be used to make signs or posters. This can be extended further for classroom decorations. Last year I changed to a safari theme and wanted curtains for my windows. (My windows face the bus loop and playgrounds. Needless to say, I wanted to cut down on distractions!) The panels I wanted to cover my windows would have been close to $45, so I made my own. I found some 84-inch beige-colored panels at Big Lots. I cut them in half, hemmed them, and trimmed them in a giraffe-print ribbon I found at Jo Ann Fabrics. Total cost: $20.
How about you? Any money-saving tips to share?
I try to be as frugal as possible in my selection of where to buy school-related items. Sites/companies I order from are: Classroom Direct, a division of School Specialty, Really Good Stuff, and Carson Dellosa. The stuff I order online is usually nametags, bulletin board sets, games, and indoor recess activities. Stores I peruse are Target, Dollar Tree, Five Below, and Big Lots. I purchase baskets, books, wipes, desk supplies, post-its, thank-you cards, my personal planner, computer paper, etc. The trick is to buy what you need when things are on sale (except Dollar Tree because the prices are the same all the time). Check the fliers in your weekly Sunday paper or bookmark the sites to follow the ads online.
Other places to consider when getting things for your room:
- Library book sales (books, videos, books on tape, child-friendly music)
- Yard sales (One of my colleagues has gotten everything from videos to storage furniture from her weekly yard sale trips!)
- Flea markets
- Goodwill/Salvation Army (I have gotten some neat baskets and pristine books for next to nothing!)
- Freecycle (Check for availability in your area. Last year I was given three Leap Pad learning systems, a carrying case, and nearly 20 game cartridges for my class. ABSOLUTELY FREE!)
- Neighbors, relatives, your church or place of worship (Don't be afraid to ask for things that may otherwise go to Goodwill or Salvation Army anyway.)
A final way to save money is to make things yourself. There are many fonts and clip art images out there just waiting to be used to make signs or posters. This can be extended further for classroom decorations. Last year I changed to a safari theme and wanted curtains for my windows. (My windows face the bus loop and playgrounds. Needless to say, I wanted to cut down on distractions!) The panels I wanted to cover my windows would have been close to $45, so I made my own. I found some 84-inch beige-colored panels at Big Lots. I cut them in half, hemmed them, and trimmed them in a giraffe-print ribbon I found at Jo Ann Fabrics. Total cost: $20.
How about you? Any money-saving tips to share?
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