I am going to be teaching for the first time as a 5th grade teacher starting this Fall. My question is this...if I had $1000 to spend for my class, what would be important to purchase? Thanks! Jennifer
First, I think you'd want to find out what sorts of things would be supplied by your school/district. There's no sense in spending your money on stuff like pencils and markers if your school will already provide that. If I had $1,000, I'd want to purchase lots and lots of books for my classroom library. I'd also want unusual art supplies (heavy copper and aluminum foil, copper tooling materials) for some special art projects I like to do with my students.
I think it's very important to build up a library as well. Although books can be cheap, depends where you get them! I always loved the classrooms I observed/subbed in that had a library corner...it made the room so much more inviting! So along with books I'd buy...borders to decorate my walls...maybe some posters with positive or inspirational sayings...and also some supplements to lessons, perhaps some activity books or games. Depending on the storage in the room I may buy some things. The classrooms where I saw little libraries set-up would have rugs and little lamps and comfy chairs for the kids to feel welcomed into the area, I really like that idea. That wuold be a start for me though...can you tell I don't have my own classroom yet? hehe.
Guided reading books, literature circle novel sets, MP3 players to listen to audio books, a subscription to an audio books site.
Along with the above, good pencil sharpener stapler fadeless bullitin board paper three hole puncher pricier educational games "furniture" for your library, manipulatives Oh and those privacy wall things that the students use when they take tests. Really Good Stuff has some good ones. I also saw this wire thing that helps you keep the big pieces of colored construction paper separated. Fancy scissors, gel pens and some cool art stuff like Cassie mentioned. I can't even tell you how fast I could spend that. I will be a new teacher in the fall too and I only get approximately $300 for first grade.
You get $1,000 to spend on your class? Per year? Where is your school, I want to go there? Seriously though, I would buy books (professional and for the class library), cool supplies for the writing center, math and science manipulatives, class set of markers, crayons, highlighters, & colored pencils, class decorations. I'm sure there's more. That money would be gone.
Well I have just purchased nearly 1400 books from ebay for about 800 bucks. Not bad, right? I am a new teacher and will be starting in the fall. We get 2000 so I am spending it on a library mostly
I would spend it on technology. 2 reasonable class computers for a station, supplies, and a decent projector and maps.
I want to buy a lot of books and English movies for my students. Using them,they can get a lot of knowledge , domestic and abroad.
I'm really big into classroom atmosphere, so I have some decorative items that I would buy (I've been teaching for a while so I have the basics). I want to make my morning meeting area a tropical oasis, so I want one of those beautiful light up palm trees from Oriental Trading Company. The kids will sit on beach mats and we'll chill for a few minutes each day. I also want to turn my reading area into Hogwarts, and I have a huge list of Harry Potter merchandise I want to purchase, such as wingback chairs, house banners, a Hedwig puppet and cage, a couple of hanging lanterns and a crystal ball. In order to keep all my impulses at bay and make wise spending decisions for my classroom, I keep a scrapbook of sorts, where I cut out and paste items that I see and want. I also list book titles that I come across. Then I look at everything in September and make decisions. By that time, my priorities have usually changed and can make better choices.
I would really like a class set of white boards, and those privacy sheilds. I would purchase a subscription to Mailbox magazine, Instructor, and maybe a few more. I would purchase a few teacher resource books because the book never seems to have the right activities for special ed kids. Here are some other things I would purchase: Pencils! A lot! Games Supplies- tagboard, paperclips, etc Manipulatives books- class sets Classroom magazine subscriptiosn to something published by Scholastic or weekly reader Storage things
You may also want: *one of those cart/easel things that have the whiteboard and chart paper *Really good stuff that has these individual whiteboard paddles that are super cool *tall bookstand that turns *Awesome floor lamp with *Awesome rug
If you're looking for the awesome floor rug and lamp that lemonhead suggested, check out Ikea. They have the coolest kids stuff, and it's super cheap.
If I had that kind of money for my classroom, I'd get an ELMO. I already have an LCD projector and Promethean board, but I really want an ELMO, too.
Classroom Library - practical and looks great when anyone comes into see your class. A side note on that, summer garage sales are a great way to get books. I have gotten 500+ books by either telling people I'm a teacher or offering them like 5-15 bucks for all their books. A lot of people go for it once they know it's going back to the kids. I think in total I have spent like 40 bucks for all my books. Back on topic, I think I would also want to look in to some decent pocket charts and a movable white board.
Book shelves Baskets for books BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS Electric pencil sharpener Electric stapler Mail center Dry-erase board (if you don't have one) Bulletin board borders Paper stackers
Books, books, and more books. I spent my full $300 this year on books and I plan to do the same next year. I've also spent another $100 of my own on classroom books.
Whatever you do, don't go on an out-of-town shopping trip with your mother. I spent half of my 1k at THE GAP. Yes, I'm still kicking myself. But I'm doing it in these awesome black yoga capris.
My district provides a $1,595 sign-on bonus for teachers that are new to the district. I am new to the district for the upcoming school year so I will be receiving the sign-on bonus. :2up: I would think that the sign-on bonus is intended for the setting up of the new classroom, but I actually think that it's meant simply for anything the teacher wishes to use it on...whether for the professional or personal use. I'll find out more about it though on my contract signing day. I am replacing a current teacher so I am expecting to receive what belongs to the school and anything else she is leaving behind that is her own. I'm going to try to visit the school this week to see my classroom and talk with the teacher I'm replacing. I may not end up having to use the sign-on bonus for anything in my classroom so that would be super!
I got 112 dollars for my classroom. Seriously, what can you buy for that money??? And I teach special ed, so I need lots of stuff! I basically just end up spending my own money.
I spend my own money, too, and usually go overboard. I check out the sales, but always get caught up in impulse buys. I haven't had a car for the last year, and just went garage saleing for the first time in a long time this past weekend with my mom-holy cow! I spent less than $10 and got four beanie babies for my reading strategies board, a solid metal gorgeous gumball machine, two kids' music cds, several great books including a Harry Potter one, two Brainquest games and a vase. I could have gotten so much more for cheap if I weren't in CO, having to bring everything back to CA. So hit the garage sales! Sheesh! I won't be able to go back out for a few weekends, but I can't WAIT! Oh, the bargains I will find!
I've started going to garage sales a lot. I got about 25 books for $6! I was so excited! You have to catch the right ones. Also, I know around here a lot of church youth groups are having yard sales to raise money for trips so you get some great stuff and support a great cause! We only get $300 to spend, and part of that is taken away for copy and laminating fees. Boo...
As a librarian, I have to say that books will be a definate need BUT, only buy from eBay and places like Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Also, check out local libraries because they always, always, always sell books that they weed out as they make room for new books. NEVER buy brand new books for your classroom. Why? Well, you will see what happens to them after a year of teaching (this coming from the librarian who had a child check out beautiful, brand new copies of Knuffle Bunny and Knuffle Bunny, Too only to have them returned to me COVERED IN COFFEE! But her mom is really sorry, so it's supposed to be okay ) Do NOT be tempted into buying all of that cool stuff at the teacher stores. It is hard to resist because you always think "Oh, I'll find a need for this." In reality, you should only buy when you can say "I am doing a lesson on X and need to buy Y and Z." A lot of really good needs have been stated above: A heavy duty electric pencil sharpener A high quality stapler for your desk A heavy duty 3 hole punch... electric is best and find one that accepts a lot of sheets A high quality paper trimmer A thingy for your desk to organize papers, such as one of those stackable trays Another thingy for your desk to organize pencils, paper clips, etc... A digital camera... I saw some really high quality ones on sale at Staples and Office Max this week for less than $200 File folders... lots and lots and lots of file folders.. different colors are preferable A huge stack of thank you cards and envelopes... get stamps to go along with them.
A digital camera is a must. I had mine stolen last year, so be careful-I never, ever thought that would happen. When I had it replaced for my birthday (ask me how happy I was about giving up my birthday gift to get another camera), I bought a refurbished one from Sony. It was the same as my first, only the updated version. I got it for $120. Check out their site for details. It looks brand new, has a warranty, etc. Just way cheaper because it was refurbished!
