Back to school time means empty your wallet time. But, it
doesn’t have to! While times may be tight and pennies may be pinched in school
buildings across the country, buying your own supplies doesn’t mean going
bankrupt! Read on to learn about five easy ways you can save money when picking
up some of your back to school supplies!
doesn’t have to! While times may be tight and pennies may be pinched in school
buildings across the country, buying your own supplies doesn’t mean going
bankrupt! Read on to learn about five easy ways you can save money when picking
up some of your back to school supplies!
1. Take Advantage of
Teachers Pay Teachers
Teachers Pay Teachers
If you haven’t visited this site yet, you’re missing out! Teachers Pay Teachers is a site
created by teachers for teachers. They share their most effective ideas and
make products for you to purchase (very inexpensive) or download for free! If
you find yourself purchasing name tags each year or even borders to decorate
your bulletin board-think again. You can choose from at least twenty designs of
name tags and print them out in color, in a flash! Simply click on the ones
that you like, print them, laminate them, and label them! It’s that easy!
created by teachers for teachers. They share their most effective ideas and
make products for you to purchase (very inexpensive) or download for free! If
you find yourself purchasing name tags each year or even borders to decorate
your bulletin board-think again. You can choose from at least twenty designs of
name tags and print them out in color, in a flash! Simply click on the ones
that you like, print them, laminate them, and label them! It’s that easy!
When I started teaching fourth grade for the first time, I
was shocked how much time I was spending getting ready for school on the
weekends. I had to learn the curriculum, create activities, grade papers, and
more. I even had my husband shopping and laminating for me. After a few months
of spending all my time working on school stuff, my husband and I had a
discussion. He told me he was worried about me and about “us”! He confessed
that he didn’t want me working all weekend every weekend and we needed to find
a balance between work and home. I looked to Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) and I’m
so glad I did. I found an Ecosystems Unit that followed the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) exactly! It was
just what I was looking for! Absolutely Perfect. And it only cost $8.95 with over
50 pages and a week worth of activities for my students! I downloaded it, printed
it, and showed my husband. The bottom line is I got my weekends back, precious
time with my family, time to relax, time for myself, all for under $10! It’s a true time saver and lifesaver!
was shocked how much time I was spending getting ready for school on the
weekends. I had to learn the curriculum, create activities, grade papers, and
more. I even had my husband shopping and laminating for me. After a few months
of spending all my time working on school stuff, my husband and I had a
discussion. He told me he was worried about me and about “us”! He confessed
that he didn’t want me working all weekend every weekend and we needed to find
a balance between work and home. I looked to Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) and I’m
so glad I did. I found an Ecosystems Unit that followed the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) exactly! It was
just what I was looking for! Absolutely Perfect. And it only cost $8.95 with over
50 pages and a week worth of activities for my students! I downloaded it, printed
it, and showed my husband. The bottom line is I got my weekends back, precious
time with my family, time to relax, time for myself, all for under $10! It’s a true time saver and lifesaver!
2. Shop Consignment
If you are an Early Childhood
Educator (K-3), don’t turn your nose up at consignment shops or Goodwill. They
are the perfect place to visit if you are in need of some toys for your indoor recess
center. You can also use them as inspiration for writing prompts, or even a
motivator for a lesson. You can also find cute playhouses, art tables, and even
puzzles and books for an unbelievably affordable price.
Educator (K-3), don’t turn your nose up at consignment shops or Goodwill. They
are the perfect place to visit if you are in need of some toys for your indoor recess
center. You can also use them as inspiration for writing prompts, or even a
motivator for a lesson. You can also find cute playhouses, art tables, and even
puzzles and books for an unbelievably affordable price.
3. Dollar Stop
The dollar stop should be a
teacher’s best friend. You don’t need to go to expensive department stores to
stock up on crayons, glue, and other school essentials. You can literally find
everything you need to start the year off right all in one place. You can also
pick up toys and candy to put in your prize box. Sometimes the store will boast
a sale around back to school time so you could end up getting supplies priced
two for a dollar!
teacher’s best friend. You don’t need to go to expensive department stores to
stock up on crayons, glue, and other school essentials. You can literally find
everything you need to start the year off right all in one place. You can also
pick up toys and candy to put in your prize box. Sometimes the store will boast
a sale around back to school time so you could end up getting supplies priced
two for a dollar!
4. Create a Giving Tree
For more expensive items like
hand sanitizer, construction paper, pencil boxes, and tissues; consider
constructing a giving tree on your chalkboard during Meet the Teacher or Open House
night. Make a bunch of leaves and attach them to the body and branches of a
tree you make out of chalk (or construction paper). Tell parents if they are
interested in donating any items, they can take a leaf off of the tree and
return the item the first week of school! I attach these donations to a
Homework Pass that students can use for a donated item. Parents love this idea,
many times, I’ve had parents hang on the homework passes until the holidays so
they can use it during the busiest time of the year. What a great give back! Get the “Giving Tree” template and donation idea list freebie by clicking on the picture below!
hand sanitizer, construction paper, pencil boxes, and tissues; consider
constructing a giving tree on your chalkboard during Meet the Teacher or Open House
night. Make a bunch of leaves and attach them to the body and branches of a
tree you make out of chalk (or construction paper). Tell parents if they are
interested in donating any items, they can take a leaf off of the tree and
return the item the first week of school! I attach these donations to a
Homework Pass that students can use for a donated item. Parents love this idea,
many times, I’ve had parents hang on the homework passes until the holidays so
they can use it during the busiest time of the year. What a great give back! Get the “Giving Tree” template and donation idea list freebie by clicking on the picture below!
5. Save from the Year Before
Send a letter home the last week
of school asking if parents would be interested in donating their child’s used
school items for students next year. Children can leave behind their rulers,
scissors, notebooks, and folders. You can even take their stray crayons and
toss them in a giant art bin. Every little item counts, so take what you can
get! This is a wise collection to start for when students misplace their
supplies during the school year.
of school asking if parents would be interested in donating their child’s used
school items for students next year. Children can leave behind their rulers,
scissors, notebooks, and folders. You can even take their stray crayons and
toss them in a giant art bin. Every little item counts, so take what you can
get! This is a wise collection to start for when students misplace their
supplies during the school year.
Being a modern day teacher means
being clever and thrifty. Consider the five tips above to ensure that you don’t
break the bank when buying supplies this fall! Wishing you a great start to your school year!
being clever and thrifty. Consider the five tips above to ensure that you don’t
break the bank when buying supplies this fall! Wishing you a great start to your school year!
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