I have received a generous amount of money from donations to spend on my classroom this year. I already have a document camera and projector, dvd player, lap top, and most other basic classroom supplies. I need to decide what to do with the money by the beginning of school. It is a few thousand dollars. Does anyone have any suggestions about how to use this money wisely? I would appreciate any suggestions. It should benefit the students and would be best if it could continue to do so for future classes. Thanks.
What a blessing!!! I say buy books, maybe a smart board, and other things that you want and then donate portions of the money to teacher friends if that's possible.
I recently got a grant for noise reduction headphones. I got 12 pairs for my 22 member class. Half the kids learn best by discussing the subject while working, and the others really value solitude and silence - hence the headphones. Just an idea!
Oh, something else I'm using classroom money on this year: Mountain Math. I don't know if you like it, but I"m looking forward to using it next year.
books fun activities (holidays, mothers day, fathers day etc.) snacks (for kids who don't have them during snack time)
Wow! If I had that much to spend I'd love to buy some classroom furniture, maybe some comfy chairs or a bench type thing with storage underneath (I've seen it in the Lakeshore catalog I think) for students to use during reading. I'd also buy a nice big rug (again, Lakeshore). Have fun spending!
Thanks for the ideas so far. I have so many books that I had to donate some to the SMART program this year. I also had to reduce the extra furniture in my room due to lack of space and higher enrollments. I guess if this is my biggest problem, I should consider myself lucky. I really do appreciate the ideas though. Keep them coming!
I'm in favor of an interactive white board...Smart Board or Promethean Board. It will change your teaching style for ever!
I would buy hands on kits and/or learning games. Lakeshore would be my friend It would be neat if you bought mp3 players or ipods and uploaded books for the kids to listen to. I am thinking of doing a donorschoose grant for that.
I would want more student computers. Books for the library. Beanbag chairs. Curriculum to support our weak adopted curriculum (writing). What a blessing to have this problem! Congratulations!
That is awesome! Could you get laptops for the kids to use? BTW, how did you get such an awesome grant? Congrats!
I would definetly invest in a SMART board. Our district just installed them in all elementary classrooms, and they are AWESOME!!!!
I have an Interwrite Pad and it is awesome. It is a slate that is wireless and has blue tooth. Whatever you "write" on it , it projects it onto the board. It is great because you army stuck at the front of the room
Oh and Interwrite Pad is only a few hundred dollars and won't take up all your money . I have had a smart board and love this so much more!
Can you tell me more about the Interwrite Pad? What is it? I looked it up but the website doesn't do a good job explaining what it does.