How to Stretch Your Classroom Dollars

Today’s Topics1. Planning2. Places to Shop3. Freebies4. Wow!5. Classroom Management

Think Smart1. Plan layout: Where will you

teach? Where will your centers be? What technology will you use?

2. Plan routines: How will students turn in work? Sharpen pencils? Occupy themselves when finished with tasks? Ask questions?

3. Plan your theme4. Look at your room to see how

much space you will have.

Look for Bargains•Dollar Tree

•Dollar General

•Family Dollar

•Big Lots

•Target’s Bargain aisle

•Oriental Trading/Hands on Learning

•Thrift Stores

•Used Bookstores

•Ebay

•Scholastic Warehouse Sales

•Rummage sales

Look Everywhere

•Grants

•Dollar Tree and Dollar General community donations

•Retiring teachers

•Get Adopted: Adopt-A-Classroom and Donors Choose

•Make friends with the custodians, school secretary and librarian

•Vistaprint

Completely Free From Adopt-A-Classroom

•Use children’s menus and items such as cereal boxes in centers

•Record your own books on tape

•Visit the MTSU Curriculum Library

•Download Cool Timer

•Download Windows MovieMaker to make an end of the year keepsake

•Check with local carpet retailers or Lowe’s and Home Depot for free carpet remnants.

•Use Engrade to easily calculate grades for FREE

•Sharpie

•Don’t be afraid to ask for donations or discounts. All they can do is say“No.”

Add the WOW factor

•Use gutters for bookshelves

•Laminate items and use wet erase markers

•Magnetic paint and chalkboard paint

•Use electrical tape to divide board into sections

•Make student dry erase boards out of shower board

•Make lapboards out of old binders

•Use Mahvelous tape or hot glue to secure items without damaging walls

•Cover bulletin boards with fabric—it doesn’t fade and can be reused.

•Use tablecloths to add storage and contain clutter.

“MANAGE TO KEEP YOUR SANITY”

•Use Engrade

•Use Cooltimer

•Set and enforce routines

•Communicate: Webpage, Newsletter, Agenda, Phone, E-mail, Podcast

•Use a reward system: Homeworkopoly

•Use Vistaprint for Student Contact Cards

•Recruit Parent Volunteers

Remember that this is a career. You have a lifetime to add the finishing touches.

Template Provided By

www.animationfactory.com

500,000 Downloadable PowerPoint Templates, Animated Clip Art, Backgrounds

and Videos