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:

• 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.) 

I usually display little cards with the name of an item from the list above during Parent Night.  That way, parents can choose what item(s) to donate.  I also display them during conference days so I can be stocked throughout the year. 

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.) 

I keep these locked in my class closet.  (Except the mints, lip gloss, and personal hand sanitizer; those stay at my desk for quick access.) 

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 

I've also been gleaning through my worksheets and organization papers for centers, rules, etc.  I've found that I have quite a few saved on my computer at school, and need to get them off.  Hopefully I can get into my room Monday.  I found my sheets for centers, test folders, behavior tracking grid, desk fairy, and student background.  Now if you're not familiar with some of these, don't fret.  All explanations will accompany the sheets when posted.

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:

• 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.)

Another way to save a few dollars is to think outside the box for what you need.  For example, I use mailboxes to keep track of student papers and things to go home.  When I priced the mailboxes in the teacher catalogs, they were very pricey--up to $80 or more for cardboard!  I found a 25-cube shoe organizer at Target for about $30 on sale.  It's heavy and sturdy and has held on for the past few years.  I also use a wicker utensil caddy to organize pencils, pens, scissors, etc. on my desk.  (Sorry, couldn't find a pic of this one!) 

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?

Tomorrow

Well, here I am.  On the verge.  Of preparing for the next school year.  I know, I know.  I. JUST. ENDED. A. SCHOOL. YEAR! AND summer training!  BUT!  I know that if I don't begin, August (and the first day of the new school year) will be here before I know it.  SO...I've decided to do a bit at a time so I can still maximize my summer and enjoy my children (who are outside with the neighborhood children running themselves silly in an impromptu game of whiffle ball in our backyard).  I'm watching through the window and listening to the cheers.  Major Leagues, here they come! 

I really do try not to work while they are with me.  I try to do stuff before they get up or after they go to bed or when they are playing with their friends.  It doesn't always happen, especially when I'm lesson planning or researching on the computer for something, but I TRY.  That way, my time with them is MY time with them.  Like tomorrow.  I know I said I'll start school stuff, but I'm going to take some time and take them to Infinito's Pizza for lunch with their friend (My kids LOVE it there!).  Then we're going for Rita's Water Ice.  I can do school stuff while they sleep.  Although, I can say, sometimes they actually want to help with what I'm doing, especially if they see the craft bin appear.  I don't mind, but I don't want anyone thinking I'm forcing child labor here. 

Anyhow, tomorrow's the day.  The day that begins my slow descent back into school-planning mode.  Two months before the first day (August 30 for students; teachers are in a few days prior).  I can say, however, that I have a head start.  By the end of the school year, I have a pretty good idea of what needs to be done for the next school year. (I keep a running list on a tablet in my desk, so by the end of the year, my "To-Do" is already there.) I already have my room planned out.  I already know what I need to replace or get to enrich my classroom.  I'm not changing schools or grades next year, so I already know the curriculum. 

I do need to add some things in because our district went to a Learning Focused Schools model and we've been phasing in the subject models, one a year.  If you're not familiar with LFS, it's a compilation of Best Practices that uses Essential Questions (learning objectives), graphic organizers, vocabulary cards, student collaboration, summarization, etc.,  in every lesson for student enrichment and teaching.  My school has phased in the Language Arts and Math models.  This year we are supposed to add in the models for Science and Social Studies, which means I need to work on my unit overviews and vocabulary for those subjects.  Now it's just a matter of getting it all and organizing for the fall.

Which brings me back to tomorrow.  That's when it's all supposed to begin.  Bit by bit.  We'll see how long it takes me.