This page has a list of all of the fabulous resources there are for teachers. Check 'em out!
Have another resource idea for teachers that you think should be added to this list? Email me at therealteachrblog (at) gmail (dot) com .
Thrift Stores
Thrift Stores are my #1 favorite place to find things for my classroom for a couple of reasons: 1. Because they are WAY cheap! 2. Because you can find lots of unique stuff there. C. You are up-cycling or reusing items instead of buying new... reducing your carbon footprint and keeping stuff out of the landfill!
*Always check out their furniture section for great deals on furniture for your classroom. You may have to re-paint or re-fabric the item to bring it back to life, but it is totally worth it!
*Check for yards of fabric at thrift stores. It is usually MUCH cheaper than buying it at a fabric store. Give it a thorough wash, and you're good to go!
*Books. I probably purchased over half of my classroom library at thrift stores. New book price: $3-$8 + for paperback books. Thrift Store book price: $0.25-$0.50 per paperback book. Need I say more?! One tip though, don't buy every book you see just to make your classroom library bigger. It may be tempting to do this at first, however, you will find a lot of great books. Just be patient. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither will your classroom library. It took me 5 years to accumulate an amount of books I felt good about. I always continue to add more :).
Garage Sales
I love garage sales for the same reason I love thrift stores, you can find some amazing furniture and book deals. If you enjoy going to garage sales, you can definitely find some great deals!
Dollar Tree
Dollar Tree is a great resource for teachers. Everything is $1! How amazing is that!? I mostly purchase plastic organizing items there. My book baskets for organizing my classroom library, drawer organizers and other plastic tubs for organizing my closets were purchased there as well.
Scholastic Book Clubs
Sending home book orders with kids is always fun! I remember getting book orders when I was in school and I LOVED them! My students loved getting them as well. It is free to sign up and ordering is super easy. The awesome thing is that for every purchase a student makes from your book order, you get points that you can use towards "purchasing" free books and/or teaching resources from the book orders for your classroom! They even have online ordering for parents now too. The thing I love about book orders is that you can get some great mentor texts for your classroom at a great discounted rate! **Also, if you are a new teacher, or new to Scholastic Book Clubs, they will send you 25 FREE books your first year!
Michaels Craft Stores
For those of you who don't know... I LOVE crafts! Michaels is like my Mecca. Seriously. I love it. Not joking. And while their stuff can be pricey when shopping on a teaching budget for your classroom, you can get coupons to make it less expensive. If you sign up through email, each week you will get a coupon in your email for 40% off of one regular-priced item. This rocks! That way, if you find one or two organizational or crafty-type item you really want, just buy one item each week with your 40% off coupon. It is pretty awesome! :)
