My school let out last week and my break "officially" started this Monday. However, the administration offered 3 days of professional development. Being a newer teacher, I am eager to learn as much as I can from seasoned teachers, staff, and admin. I also love learning new things and finding ways to make my job a little easier for me and the students. One of my favorite parts of professional development is the brainstorming and sharing of ideas that takes place. I came away with so many wonderful tips, strategies and short cuts to use next year. The saying has been that teachers are never afraid to beg, borrow, and steal. It is totally true. I spent the first three weeks before school started this past year preparing my room. I never realized how much comes from the pockets of our teachers to make a classroom feel and look like a classroom. I was also too hung up on having the nicest posters, charts, stickers, etc. for my room. That idea was quickly abandoned when I spent over $200 on a few books, some name tags, charts and posters. Considering that trip was the first of many trips I would take my first year, I knew I needed to have a plan. There are so many great resources out there for teachers to use and many of them are free! There are also so great tricks and tips to use to save some money. Here are a few I have found.
1. When buying new, only buy the essentials (in the beginning)
2. Laminate if possible
Some schools have laminating rules and teachers are only allowed a specific amount of laminating. At my school, we laminate in modification. I purchased some items likes charts and posters that I knew I could laminate and write on with dry erase markers. I will reuse those items for years.
3. Check into local recycling/donations centers
My school is able to visit a local donation center once a month to pick up items for the classroom. All items have been given away by overstocked stores or donated by businesses and organizations. We are able to pick up supplies such as paper, pencils, crayons, books, staplers, etc. and even large items like desks and cabinets. This is all FREE!
4. Online Resources
There are several printable resources at no cost available online. The great thing about these sites is that you can often create your own worksheets. Often books from the "teacher store" with the same worksheets could cost up to $24 a book.
5. Book Sales
If you are looking to increase your room library, try going to a local book sale. Some of these sales get books from donations made by libraries, churches, schools, and big book companies. Most books are used but still in readable condition. There is a wonderful volunteer at our school that will visit these sales for us and bring in bags a books each week. Hardbacks are $1 and soft-backs are only $0.50!
6. Use your coworkers!
The best resources are the ones that have been used and proven to be effective. Where else could you find these other than teachers just like you? Ask for copies, workbooks, etc. that other teachers use and make your own files. Be ready to share your own files too!
7. Have a treasure box?
Many teachers use little toys, gadgets, and treats as an incentive for work or behavior from students. I have a treasure box in my room that students can earn a trip to. This can be an expensive incentive. Visit the dollar stores and purchase items that cost as little as $1. The best values are found in packages that hold more than just one item. Add your own treasures that don't cost you at all. Examples could be:
A ticket for extra free time
A ticket for eating lunch with the teacher
A ticket to be line leader for an entire week
8. Garage Sales and Thrift Stores
Find out when your neighborhood garage sale is and make plans to stock up. You can find all sorts of treasure such as books, puzzles, indoor recess games and toys. You never know when someone's trash will become your treasure.
9. Candy Jars
I fell into the habit of passing out candy from my candy jar for specific rewards. The biggest problem was the amount of money it was costing me! Switch from small candy bars to something like skittle, m&ms, candy hearts or any other candy the comes in a large bag. Each student can have just one. They will love it just the same (especially if they don't know what they are missing). You can also go another direction and offer tickets. Each student can fill out the ticket and enter it into a large drawing you can do once a week.
10. DIY!
Do it yourself...if you can. Make items for your room or ask a friend or family member to make it for you. My wonderful grandma made 7 large pillows for my reading library and thank goodness because I don't know anything about sewing. She did it out of love and didn't ask for anything in return. One pillow of that size would have cost me $15 or more at a store. Ask for help and ideas from those around you.
If you have any tips or tricks to share, please do! Teaching is a profession done out of love and passion and sharing your successes just adds to the joy of the job!
Some schools have laminating rules and teachers are only allowed a specific amount of laminating. At my school, we laminate in modification. I purchased some items likes charts and posters that I knew I could laminate and write on with dry erase markers. I will reuse those items for years.
3. Check into local recycling/donations centers
My school is able to visit a local donation center once a month to pick up items for the classroom. All items have been given away by overstocked stores or donated by businesses and organizations. We are able to pick up supplies such as paper, pencils, crayons, books, staplers, etc. and even large items like desks and cabinets. This is all FREE!
4. Online Resources
There are several printable resources at no cost available online. The great thing about these sites is that you can often create your own worksheets. Often books from the "teacher store" with the same worksheets could cost up to $24 a book.
5. Book Sales
If you are looking to increase your room library, try going to a local book sale. Some of these sales get books from donations made by libraries, churches, schools, and big book companies. Most books are used but still in readable condition. There is a wonderful volunteer at our school that will visit these sales for us and bring in bags a books each week. Hardbacks are $1 and soft-backs are only $0.50!
6. Use your coworkers!
The best resources are the ones that have been used and proven to be effective. Where else could you find these other than teachers just like you? Ask for copies, workbooks, etc. that other teachers use and make your own files. Be ready to share your own files too!
7. Have a treasure box?
Many teachers use little toys, gadgets, and treats as an incentive for work or behavior from students. I have a treasure box in my room that students can earn a trip to. This can be an expensive incentive. Visit the dollar stores and purchase items that cost as little as $1. The best values are found in packages that hold more than just one item. Add your own treasures that don't cost you at all. Examples could be:
A ticket for extra free time
A ticket for eating lunch with the teacher
A ticket to be line leader for an entire week
8. Garage Sales and Thrift Stores
Find out when your neighborhood garage sale is and make plans to stock up. You can find all sorts of treasure such as books, puzzles, indoor recess games and toys. You never know when someone's trash will become your treasure.
9. Candy Jars
I fell into the habit of passing out candy from my candy jar for specific rewards. The biggest problem was the amount of money it was costing me! Switch from small candy bars to something like skittle, m&ms, candy hearts or any other candy the comes in a large bag. Each student can have just one. They will love it just the same (especially if they don't know what they are missing). You can also go another direction and offer tickets. Each student can fill out the ticket and enter it into a large drawing you can do once a week.
10. DIY!
Do it yourself...if you can. Make items for your room or ask a friend or family member to make it for you. My wonderful grandma made 7 large pillows for my reading library and thank goodness because I don't know anything about sewing. She did it out of love and didn't ask for anything in return. One pillow of that size would have cost me $15 or more at a store. Ask for help and ideas from those around you.
If you have any tips or tricks to share, please do! Teaching is a profession done out of love and passion and sharing your successes just adds to the joy of the job!
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