^ I attended an affluent high school that did not provide tissues. I have no idea why. I do know that a lot of my teachers offered hw passes or extra credit for tissues. From what I've seen so far, I get the vibe that this would not be ok in my school!
It really is shocking to me that schools don't provide it. I teach in an affluent district, but I went to school in a more blue-collar district, and both provided tissues. I remember some folks in our history department offered extra credit for kids to bring in cans to support the canned food drive, but the admin quickly put a stop to that, requiring that extra credit must be linked to academic content.
It is frustrating that they don't. But I figure if admin thinks it's important, they'll find a way to get it for us. Otherwise, it's not something I should be required to supply for the kids.
I have never worked in a school that provided tissue, and I’ve worked at four of them. I also had to bring tissue as part of the supply list every year when I was a kid and teen. I also had to supply my own tissue when I worked in an office setting, unrelated to teaching.
Why can't this be done with less expensive resources such as writing it on the green/black/white board or using and overhead projector or document cam? You can control supplies such as the marker for the overhead transparency by handing it to the group leader (or writer) and collecting it before the students sit down. The collaboration can be done on loose leaf paper and the group discussion be done with another means.
I've never been in a school that does not provide tissues. The problem is that what they provide are so awful that tissues are always on a student supply list.
Sure, it could but it's just one engagement strategy I like to use. I find that kids participate/ work together a lot more when using a big piece of paper + it is good for anchor charts for the teacher to post and keep up. I am planning on using the doc cam a lot but I don't have enough whiteboard space for 8 groups of kids to use.
Did you usually include it on your supply list under materials? I want to ask for some but the example syllabi that were sent did not include suggested donations for anything, so I feel like I shouldn't. I'm wondering if I should just ask at parent night and leave it at that.
Yes, at our school, some grades ask for three boxes of tissue per student. My grade asks for six. We generally have no difficulty getting them.
I'm going to add the following to my syllabus. I have to get it approved by the VP anyways so I guess they will tell me if I am not allowed to include it on my syllabus. Classroom donations of tissue boxes and hand sanitizer are always appreciated to help keep our students healthy!
My school also gives kids tickets for good behavior to enter a school wide raffle. Apparently the 6th graders get really excited about it! I wonder if I can offer one ticket in exchange for a box of tissues or hand sanitizer? I would ask admin of course but it might be my best option.
I never ask for any supplies in exchange for any sort of extra credit or anything. Not all of my kids can bring supplies like that in, so it's not really fair. Some schools even consider it paying for a grade when teachers offer extra credit for buying supplies for the classroom.
^ I wasn't going to do it for extra credit either. The tickets are given to kids for good behavior. I have no idea if I'm allowed. What do you think about putting whiteboard markers on the supply list? I would like for kids to have 2 each but I'm not sure if that's reasonable. My school said that they won't provide a class set of markers. I would hate to see the whiteboards go to waste but I really can't provide whiteboard markers for 90+ kids. I already bought 2 packs on sale for me in the likely scenario that my school runs out. I took out a bunch on my original supply list so I have have a binder, loose-leaf paper (optional...as I can just print lined paper) and 3 dividers. I asked my principal about a donorschoose and he wants me to send a description. I hope he approves it and it gets funded.
Wow...I am so shocked! I posted on FreeCycle for any extra school supplies people had and that I'm teaching in a low-income school. I figured people might have a ton of stuff like pencils at home that they're not using. I had one person reply that she will look for school supplies at her house this weekend. I had another email me and say she wants to purchase some tissues, whiteboard makers, and pencils for me. I realize that so many people really do want to help teachers and schools! I want to do something nice for her like having one of the kids write her a thank you note or something. I also just got approved to join the NAEIR teacher program. I would highly recommend it. It takes a long time to get approved (I applied in July when someone here suggested it) and I got approved today. They have a ton of things for very cheap prices. You have to place an order with a minimum of $25. There aren't a ton of things to choose from but a lot of it is useful. I might place an order when there are more things that interest me and I think one 25 dollar order would last me several years!
So I got my supply list approved by admin and it consists of a binder, pencils and erasers, 3 dividers, and two expo markers. They said to change the wording to suggested supplies and admin has said that they can help kids get basic supplies if they need to. I also had a woman give me about 15 binders in good condition through freecycle and I have 5 at home that I can give to kids who don't have binders. Dividers can be easily made with cardstock which I also have plenty of. I am wondering about the expo markers. I would LOVE to have a class set but the issue is that my school won't give me a class set. Is it ok to take the markers from the kids that do bring them in to hopefully get enough for a class set? I have 34 in my biggest class so I would only need 34 markers. I know not everyone will bring in expo markers but I do hope that some kids will. I sent my DonorsChoose request to my principal and he suggested check if the school had the items I was asking for. I asked about the whiteboard markers and scissors and was told "no" by the supply lady but I'm not sure if he thinks we do supply them?
Honestly, if I only needed 34 Expo markers, I would buy them myself. No, you shouldn't have to, but, if it will make your life easier to have them, it's worth the small amount of money that it costs to buy them - at least in my opinion.
Here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OQQ014...&pd_rd_r=6d7fd141-a885-11e8-96dd-777fa7fb2507 You can get what you need for under $30. If it were me, I'd just buy it.
^ I just feel like I already spent a lot of $$ and I shouldn't have to supply what the school should provide to me....especially with so many kids. Kids go through expo markers quickly and they are not always respectful towards them. If I had a supply budget, I would spend it on Expo markers, etc. but I don't even have a budget. I know I haven't even started yet but I already spent over $100 on my job before even getting a paycheck. I definitely don't need Expo markers for the kids but it's an engaging way to teach math. I would honestly prefer doing without than purchasing another school essential out of pocket. But I would like to start a DonorsChoose but I'm not sure if my principal was enthusiastic about it. My friend was saying that they might prefer to only have DonorsChoose for big projects so it doesn't look like the school is not providing essentials. When I've been looking at all the stuff teachers are buying at my school, I feel like if we continue to provide essentials, then they will never give us proper supplies. This might be hypocritical of me to say, since I already bought the kids markers, colored pencils, and glue sticks but the price was super cheap and I got enough for the whole year for under $20. I definitely wouldn't want to be marked down on my evaluation though for not having expo markers or chart paper or something.
I get it. I don't disagree with you on principle. That said, there are just some things that make your life as a teacher easier, and schools won't provide them. It's a lot less frustrating to just buy things yourself. That's all I'm saying. If you don't need or want them that badly, then don't buy them. But I would also stop letting it bother you that your school won't supply things. That's just the way it is in many schools, and it's not likely to change anytime soon.
I agree. The dry erase markers are more for the kids but it's nothing they can't do with paper. I am interested in the DonorsChoose but I'm going to wait until next week to really see what the school has + what the kids bring in. Since I went in early, the janitor gave me "starter supplies" like four whiteboard markers, tape, stapler, etc. so I was luckier than most teachers. Most people received no supplies yet. I still haven't received a response about the class set of scissors. I have 10 now and I'm going to ask the janitor of she sees any extras. I figure if I plan any activities with scissors, the kids can help me cut stuff out in homeroom or we can just share. Some kids will probably bring their own anyways. My only concern about the DonorsChoose is that the principal asked me to see if we had the stuff in our supply closet. I'm wondering if it's ok to contact him about the project (because the school does not supply what I need) or if I should just let it go. I was interested in the DonorsChoose because my dad's company would potentially donate to my classroom!
I would let it go for now and take some time to get to know your school... Can you dad's company donate to your or school directly? Do they have to go through Donors' Choose?
^ My dad was saying that it should be through something like DonorsChoose so he can email them a link. It's not a guarantee but there's a good chance it'll get funded. I also have extended family that would probably donate since it's my first year teaching.
So I just asked the custodian at my school for chart paper and she gave me 3 pads, including one of the post-it sticky chart paper! She said if it's here, the teachers should get to use it but not to tell anyone! Haha She also gave me more kid scissors. I have 17 now which is hopefully enough! (2 for every group and I heard some kids bring their own!)
Yes--that's a good idea! I definitely want to do something nice for her. She's been super helpful. I LOVE the sticky chart paper for anchor charts but it is expensive! I'm glad I have some. The supply lady also gave me a pencil sharpener when I asked for one. I'm feeling much better about supplies. So many people I talked to said they spent thousands on their classrooms but I think they just purchased a lot of "extras" or they just didn't ask for some supplies. One teacher spent extra on border when the school had some for free, one teacher bought a hanging rack to hang up anchor charts, I've noticed that a lot of have very expensive decorations and flexible seating, etc. . I just hope the expenses don't add up throughout the year. I counted my receipts and I've spent $200 so far, mostly consisting of personal items for me (pens, plastic hanging files, organization bins, professional texts, a planner). I just hope that I am not looked down upon for not having all of the "extras" that everyone else seems to have. I found a nearby store that discounts supplies for teachers. I can get 40 expos for $12 so I might go for it and be done!
Ok...more supply issues. Apparently, the kids do not bring in supplies, especially in the lower-level classes (which I teach). My mentor said that she provides binders and collects them back at the end of the year. However, she has been teaching for 8 years and at the end of the year, she collects binders from kids who don't want them and that's how she grew her stash. My administration has said that they provide binders to any kids who do not have them. I asked the VP when I ran into her in the office and she said that they provide supplies to any child who does not have them. I asked her how long it usually takes to get a child supplies and she said within a day, unless they need to order more. But from my mentor, I'm hearing that they only provide supplies to kids who need economic assistance. She said it can also take weeks to get a binder. I'm confused because I'm hearing two different things from administration and the teachers. I have 95 kids so I can't provide binders for all of them. I'm just not in the financial situation to do so. If I taught special ed and I had 12 kids then I probably would, but I just can't with so many kids. Any advice? Should I just ask admin for the kids who do not have binders and go from there? I did get about 20 binders donated to me...but that will likely not be enough from what I hear.
This was my question also. Do you absolutely have to use a binder or can you switch to something else? Spiral notebooks are great or even Poly 3 prong folders; these two options can be cheaper than a binder. If you do spiral notebooks, you could have the kids take out the unused paper and create a paper stash for the next year.
I need a binder because I use a lot of handouts in teaching and the kids need to be able to organize their work! The one thing that is unlimited in my school is paper, which is why I prefer a binder to a notebook. If I wanted kids to take notes, I could print lined paper. If I use a spiral notebook, the kids would need to glue notes, worksheets into their binders...and I do not have a ton of glue sticks to do that!
Switching from binders to something else was only a suggestion to help with the issue you are predicting with kids not having binders. Printing lined paper to take notes would most likely be more expensive than a pack of notebook paper. Paper may be unlimited to use, but your school may only order enough boxes of paper to last before Christmas break and then order a certain number for the rest of the year, so it may not be truly unlimited. Just something to take into consideration. Does every handout absolutely have to be printed for your students or is it something they can write down on their own paper? You may find that you do less printing of notes and more of letting the kids copy the notes down. If there is something specific that you want for your classroom, you may have to buy it yourself or find another solution. Most of the time finding another solution is the answer, or wait until that first day or week and see how many students truly need help with supplies and then figure out how to get those supplies. The first year, and really the second to me, is the most expensive because those are the years that you are really settling in on what you like and what works best.
^ I feel that the time spent copying something down from the board is just not productive and will slow down my class. I will have them do it sometimes but I do think that most kids benefit from having some structure. I'm really not sure of any solutions besides a binder. For example, if I gave a homework sheet or guided notes, the kids would need a place to put it. Middle schoolers are different from older kids because they need to be taught how to organize themselves, which is why it is important that every kid has the same organizational system. If I taught high school, I wouldn't care as much if a kid used a notebook, folder, or binder.
Copying notes as you lecture or as you work together is structure. Kids need practice in taking notes. By the time kids get to college and even some high schools, not all their notes are going to be printed for them. It's okay to take time in class to copy down notes as you are actively teaching and discussing. Yes, it takes longer, but its a skill they need. Find sections of notes that are short and wouldn't take a lot of time to copy and let them write it by hand. Model on how to take notes shown to them and shorten them down. Teach them they don't have to write everything verbatim and that it is okay to paraphrase as long as they get the same meaning. Print the longer sections for them, but it doesn't have to be everything. Most kids probably would not take one specific binder home just for a homework sheet. They're middle school; they fold it up and put in their back pocket or their purse. Maybe some will have a specific homework folder that they take home with all their assignments for each class. Speaking of homework, is homework something you plan to give all the time to take home or are the kids going to have time to work on it in class? If you are set on binders (which is fine), then work on how you are going to help your kids that don't have binders get binders. Can your admin realistically provide a binder for every kid that doesn't have one? Is there a church or organization nearby giving away free school supplies that you could utilize? Is there a church or organization that would like to 'adopt' a school or classroom and give them supplies? Where can I find cheap binders if I have to buy some? Is there a supply of used but good condition binders I can use? What if I can't get a binder for every student? What then? The first year is where you decide what works best for you, your students, and your classroom. You find that throughout this year you don't need or like xyz and you think xyz will work better. Its all a learning process.
Right now I think it might be best to just wait and see. (And I'm having to do that myself! My team and I are starting a brand new program so everything is new and we never actually get answers to our questions. I have gotten NONE of the things I've ordered.) It's hard, but worrying about this is just adding to the stress. They will have them or they won't. I have worked at different schools. My last school had a lot of very low SES kids and I was told none of them would have supplies. Most kids ended up bringing most things. I was absolutely able to make do with what was brought in. Is there something you can focus on right now that YOU have some control over?
You're right, I am going to wait and see what the kids bring in on Tuesday. In the meantime, I've been asking family and friends for used binders and I have collected quite a few. I am likely not going to have to purchase any unless none of my kids bring a binder.
