I was setting up my room today (early, I know, for a person who doesn't start until after Labor Day) BUT my son was available to help, and I always feel better if it is done before I go on vacation. Anyway, I fell in love with 2 products. I may be late to the party but I thought I would share. Hallmark gift wrap - I found some that complemented my border, color scheme, etc. with big dots (I am using Dots on Chocolate). Anyway, it was on sale so I thought I would try it. Wow! It has a grid work on the back. I had no idea (I guess I buy the cheap stuff.) It was so easy to measure my bulletin boards and then just cut along the grid lines. Yeah! Finally, I can cut a straight line! Every cut was right the first time! Magnetic tape to affix borders and letters on my white board and cabinet. I know this isn't new. I have done it tons of times before but the tape I used previously I had to cut with scissors, it was thick and hard to cut, it curled, and then I had to peel the backing off. All time consuming. The new tape I loved: http://www.staples.com/Dowling-Magn...-inch-x-25/product_872949?externalize=certona I bought it at Lakeshore but I couldn't find it on their website. This tape is on a roll and cuts like regular tape. It is thin so it was easy to cut, and you don't have to peel the back, and it is think so doesn't leave bumps on what I stuck up. It was amazingly fast to do the whole board. Product from last year I loved: colored electrical tape from Home Depot. It comes in a wide variety of colors and stayed up the whole year both on my whiteboard and on my bulletin boards. I used it to form a grid for my word wall and to section of my white board. I am really happy it still looks great and I can use it a second year. Anyway, my bulletin boards are done. Yeah! What are products you like to use?
I had no idea about the magnetic tape or the colored electrical tape at Home Depot. I hope they have purple! I'll have to check it out! Thank you!
They sell the colored electrical tape at Staples, too. Not sure which aisle off the top of my head, but I know I have bought it there!
Ooh, I've used electrical tape on my white board but never colored! I'll have to check my local home improvement store for it. One of my favorite classroom setup supplies is a set of Crayola window markers like these http://www.crayolastore.com/product/11940#back that I used to use when my classroom door had a big window. After I see the door I'll have this year, I may have to buy some more.
3M brand (same as Command Hooks) masking tape. It holds my things on cinder block walls REALLY well. It's also cheaper than Maurvelous (sp?) tape.
I just bought some colored electrical tape at HD this year and I'm excited to put it up. If I remember right, they just had very basic colors (red, blue, green, black) but that might just have been my store.
I also saw yellow and I purchased violet. I'm eager to use this for my homework board (I use part of the white board as my homework board).
I have another one - Tolsby frames from Ikea. I am going to use them for center signs, table signs, etc. They are double-sided with 2 pieces of think plastic to keep them clean so you don't have to laminate. They seem fairy sturdy and I could think of a lot of uses: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70223653/ I have used Dollar Store frames before but they fell apart. I think these will last and they are only .99 each. They also come in white.
My advice for teachers(and college students): Get a black and white laser printer. I have a cheap brother laser printer that had toner cartridges that would last at least 2 years during my college career. Including my student teaching semesters when I was printing a ton. Best part is the replacements can be bought off newegg.com on sale for like $8. When I see they are on sale I buy one for when I will next need it.
I saw those on Pinterest and I love them. Unfortunately they are not available online and there are no stores in the state. But they are neat and very attractive!
I can't believe I never thought to use wrapping paper for my BB. Duh! It's probably pretty "fadeless" when compared to the colored butcher paper the school provides. I did one BB with the fadeless paper from a teacher supply store and it looked wonderful all year, but at $12 a roll I can't see myself doing all 5 boards with it. Thanks for the idea!
