Re: Where to find free/cheap resources for the classroom???

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I shop at Staples and Office Max during the summer. They
usually have crayons, notebooks, folders, etc. for 3 - 5
cents! They have a limit, but I go through the line a few
times and stop back multiple times during the week - or have
people go with me. Staples has a higher limit for teachers -
so make sure you tell them you're a teacher and ask if there
is a higher limit. Last summer the limit on folders was 5
and they let me get 30 at a time. They also have a
publicized "Teacher Day" every summer at both stores when
they give each teacher a bag of goodies. Not always a lot of
stuff...but every little bit counts. Also during these
sales, they have other discounted items. I'm in NY, and they
usually start at the end of July here...states where one
starts school earlier might have different/earlier dates...I
just check the flyers every week once the summer starts.

Another idea is to contact area businesses. Where I used to
teach, there was a factory that made calendars and day
planners. They donated waste paper, and other things that I
used all the time in my classes. Places like this and some
stores have tons of "waste" that they are usually willing to
donate.

Hope this helps. If I think of anything else, I'll post
again.

On 4/12/10, Bobe wrote:
> Our district has been hit **so** hard by budget cuts there
> is only $25 (yes $25) per classroom for supplies next
> year. We were jumping for joy they gave us that. Language
> programs have been cut significantly (goodbye German,
> Italian and Latin!!!).
>
> I am putting together a workshop to help teachers in our
> district get what they need for their classrooms. The
> catch is that they have to be free or very cheap ways to
> get materials.
>
> This is meainly geared toward language teachers but all
> teachers will be encouraged to attend.
>
> What are your ideas? What do you do to supply your
> classroom without going totally broke?
>
> Do you know of websites such as www.donorchoose.org or
> www.Iloveschools.com that you use?
>
> What do you recycle/reuse in your classroom?
>
> Anything would be of great help.
>
> Got an idea? Please send it, even if you think it is
> silly.
>
> I reuse junk mail reply envelopes in my classroom so please
> do not think your idea is too small to share.
>
> Thanks

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