I'm currently working on my supply order for next year. I didn't get to place my own order last year, because I was a new teacher hired a week before the school year began. Until we find out if the budget passes, I have $350.00 to spend, and we order from School Specialty. Next year, I would like to do more with literacy centers and writing. What kinds of materials should I be ordering? (We use Open Court Reading, which is phonics based).
Does this include everything like, construction paper, post-its, paperclips, etc.? Those are the types of things we order from School Specialty. I also order magnets, dry erase markers, cleaner and I think they have individual dry erase boards too. For my literacy stations, I have lowercase alphabet stamps. I'm not sure if School Specialty has those though. You could order a variety of writing and story paper for a writing station. Also, some colored pencils maybe.
Do you have to order right now or can you wait and order after the year begins? If you can wait, that's what I would do. I have found when I buy before school starts I always regret not waiting to see what I may need.
I would look at the cost of items at school specialty and weigh it to the befroe school prices you can usually find. Then anything I knows goes on sale or I could easily buy myself as I go I do not order through the school. Things like construction paper, paint, etc that is cheaper through the school I order there. I have also in the past offered to pay for what I go over because many times if things are bought in bulk through the school I can get it cheaper. I am doing that this year. I ordered everything that I knew I would need from our warehouse even though I went over on my budget and my principal is allowing me to pay her for the overage. Many principals will work with you this way because they know you are spending your own $ on your class anyways so it's a way to help ease the burden a bit.
