As I begin my 2nd year of teaching, I can't help but think about all of the new teachers out there who are about to embark on their 1st year of teaching. I am SO EXCITED for all of you new teachers out there who are about to experience all of the excitements and joys that comes with teaching!!
Last year, I spent SO.MUCH.TIME. figuring out how I would set up & decorate my room, discovering the truly best places to purchase teaching materials and classroom supplies, and of course creating lesson plans. I thought I would share the 5 things that I wish I would have known during my year first year of teaching and had a hard time finding online...
1. These buckets from the Dollar Tree:
They literally are perfect for almost EVERYTHING. The Dollar Tree has buckets of all different shapes, sizes, and bright colors - most importantly for $1. :)
2. This helpful bulletin board trick:
I actually just learned this trick from my wonderful Mom yesterday...it works PERFECTLY and is so FAST (like literally less than 30 seconds for the whole side)!
3. You can di-cut multiple sheets of paper at once
4. Cheap Books from:
Goodwill - Go here for classroom library books. They don't usually have super amazing read-alouds but series like Arthur, Elephant & Piggie, Fancy Nancy - you bet! And for less than $1 each!
Half-Price - I buy from here if I need a copy of a good read aloud book but don't want to spend full price. They also have classroom donation programs for any and all schools which works perfectly for my classroom library.
DonorsChoose - Come up with a list of read aloud books and series that you think your students would like to read and create a donorschoose website!
Libraries - Some libraries will sell their old, outdated copies of their books. Depending on your city, there may even be a store that is open just a few times a week & sells those old, outdated, wonderful books for sometimes even cheaper than Goodwill {selection is usually very limited}
Garage Sales - I don't usually actively seek these out, but if I happen to see one, I stop and check out their books.
Friends & Family - Just graduating college? I don't know about you but several of my college friends {well, their parents} still had their children's books from when they were young back home! Post on Facebook or just ask them if they have any they would be willing to donate to your classroom/get rid of!
5. Teachers Pay Teachers
This website is wonderful! Especially when you are in a bind (like when it's 5:00 on Sunday and you totally missed that Cinco de Mayo is tomorrow) the resources on this website are PERFECT & so WELL WORTH IT! One of my team members and I started out only purchasing the freebie materials, but once I purchased a priced product, I immediately knew it is well worth it - by no surprise...the quality that teachers put into their work is amazing and I personally find it to be more of a match of what I am looking for than a lot of the work I find in workbooks and such!
