IKEA Invasion!

A little over a year ago my husband and I made the decision for me to leave the classroom to come home as we welcomed our second little one. I wasn't sure if I'd be going back to the classroom or if I'd be able to stay home during our little ones' early years, but in faith I packed up some of my stuff but gave everything else away.  God knew what He was doing when He called me home and though it only lasted a year, I'm thankful for the time with my babies.

Having given away most of my stuff I'm starting fresh . . . and that's a GREAT thing.  The downside is that I'm having to spend some moo-lah in order to get my class ready again.  (But oh, do I love the chance to create a uniform theme in my room!  The classroom I dismantled before going home was 11 years worth of collection hodge-podge.)

Today my family and I raided IKEA.  I had 3 things in mind when I went, but I left with a whole lot more.  Wanna see what I scored?

 You know how I know teachers love IKEA?  Well besides all the stuff that my teacher friends and I buy at IKEA, I overheard comments from other shoppers around me that told me that I was not the only teacher shopping there.  I promise I wasn't listening in on other people's conversations, but when you're standing side-by-side with another shopper looking at the same product and they start talking you're gonna hear some stuff, ok?

 No, I don't hang my pants at school!  These hangers are AWESOME for holding chart paper!  The neck of the hanger swivels so you can hang it from any ledge or hook, and the open/close snappy lever design of the hanger makes it really easy to add chart paper or posters while you're teaching.  I got 4 so I can use them while teaching from chart paper and to hang anchor charts around the room.

 These boxes come in several sizes, but I got the medium sized boxes.  They're the perfect size for file folders and gallon sized ziploc bags.  You know what that means, don't you?  File folder games and bagged games/activities!  I've got TONS that need organizing so I got one for Language Arts and one for Math.  They have the clear ones too.

 I stick these on the side of my desk for easy access to paper clips, rubber bands, and whatever else.  The see through lid lets you know what's inside or you can make them all cute with a swatch of fabric or scrapbook paper in the window.  See that heavy duty magnet on the backside?  It's super strong, so don't worry about accidentally knocking the tin off the desk.  It's pretty hard to do that.

 Big, powerful magnets for my magnetic whiteboard.  You know . . . for those times you clip posters, chart paper, or whatever to your board.  The best part of these is the angled top design that makes the magnet go "clip clop" when you press on it.  Press the top of that angled magnet with your finger and the flat part tips open so you can slide your paper right underneath without removing the whole magnet.  It's the little things!

 Uh. . . . 'cause you can never have too many scissors!  Besides, they always go missing, AND they come in 3 different sizes!

 This big ol' plastic tray is supposed to be for flatware in your kitchen, but this baby is going in my top desk drawer to try to organize it!  Maybe things won't go sliding around in there and I'll find things more easily!

 Ok, so here's my idea for this - I want to use this as a dry erase board.This big frame has a plastic (not glass) face, so I'm not worried about it being broken and hurting anyone.  Plus, that makes it super light.  I've already tested it (just in case) and yes, you can use dry erase markers on it.  I'm thinking I can blow up graphic organizers or just put a piece of solid butcher paper inside that can be used when I teach and then used in centers or group activities.  My school has a poster maker, so I want to use that to create templates that can be switched in and out of the frame and used by the kids.

 I used to use these to organize workbooks and notebooks.  This year I got a ton of them so that each student can decorate their own book box.  These cardboard boxes are fairly thick and durable.  Maybe a strip of packaging or duct tape on the bottom to reinforce the closure, but other than that - fold and go! (At $1.49/5 that's about $.30 a box!  Ummm . . . I got 6 sets.  So that's 30.  And if I go back to IKEA I'll probably definitely get more.)

Lastly . . . my little glass spice jars.  SO CUTE!  Tons of uses in the classroom, but I didn't buy these for my classroom per se.  I won't say what I bought them for exactly because that would give away the little surprise.  =)  The uses, however, are endless!  (They also have that flat side at an angle so the jars can stand as you see or slightly tilted for easy access!)

You wanna go shopping at IKEA now, don't you?

Hey!  There are tons of other useful things there that I had to tell myself no to, but if you've got stuff you bought from IKEA please share in the comments!  Tell us what you got and how you use it!!!!

Tuesday Teaching Tips

Last year I posted about some classroom supplies I had ordered to help me prepare for the school year.  (Go read that post here.)  I thought now would be a good time to update some of those supplies and links so that if you decide these are some things you'd like to get for your classroom you still have a couple of weeks to get your shipment!

We all know that Walmart, Target, and all those office supply and drug stores have great back to school sales.  It's such a temptation every time you pass by those sections to pick up something else (if you are brave enough to fight through the crowds).  A good idea is to check those weekly fliers or the online adds to compare prices and shop for the best deal.

One of my favorite places to order supplies, however, is from Oriental Trading.  It's for more than just party supplies, you know?!?  There are certain things I know I'll want to purchase for projects throughout the year, so I go ahead and order those now as well or else I'm bound to remember them a little too late.  Then it's either scrap that idea or pay extra for expedited delivery.

Here are a few items I like to order before the school year starts:

(Click the titles to go directly to the item description pages.)

1-  Personalized Pencils

This link takes you to the search page I pulled up because there are a variety of designs on Oriental Trading that give you the option to personalize.  You can personalize with your class name "Mrs. Wilcox's Wildcats" or a cute message like "Welcome 2013-2014 Wildcats!".  Give them out at Open House/Registration Day or have them sitting on student desks on the 1st day of school.  These pencils are sold in bulk and are about 32 cents each.

2-  Mini Dominoes

I use these constantly for Math!  I've made so many different games for Math Stations that practice different skills using these little guys.  You get a dozen 28 piece sets in one order for $9.00.  If you're feeling generous or don't need 12 sets, give some to your grade level team mates or throw some in the treasure box as a prize.  Well worth the money!  

3-  Mini Boggle Game Cubes

I use these in centers for many different activities.  One Word Work activity I do is called "Shake and Make  Words".  Click here to get my free recording sheet.  Students can copy the letters shaken onto the grid and write as many words as they can make.  Sometimes I make stipulations to differentiate such as "each word must be at least 4 letters long" or "these words should have a short vowel sound".  (Makes it much more challenging!)

Again there are 12 cubes in the order so if you don't need 12 of them or are feeling generous . . . share!

4-  Name Badges

These last longer than peel and stick name tags.  Sometimes it takes just a couple of days to learn all your students' names, but our cafeteria staff and Specials teachers usually request that students wear name tags for the first couple of weeks of school since they see a whole lot more students and only briefly since they are not the homeroom teachers.  The name badge holders save you time sticking names on students before they need to go to Specials or lunch.

5 - Self Adhesive Magnets

I use tons of magnets for classroom setup and management.  With 200 ready to go magnets it's just peel and stick all year long!

6- Dry erase sleeves

At $12.75 per dozen these are one of my pricier choices, but they're well worth the investment.  Use them at centers, for early finishers, practice pages . . . anything!  I love putting game boards in them.  Students use dry erase markers and wipe clean when done!  They last longer than just the one school year because these are extremely durable.  Saves you copies and saves trees!

7- Glue Dots

(The link goes to a search results page because there are different kinds and sizes of glue dots to choose from.)

Another item I use year round.  Peel and stick.  Mount anything from student work to classroom management pieces.  Quick, clean, and easy!

8-  Clear Envelope Pouches

These are the other pricier items that I feel are worth the investment.  I use these for my guided reading books.  Each student gets one to keep their guided reading books, flash cards, and reading responses in.  This helps students keep track of their guided reading books and assignments while protecting them from getting wet, sticky, or battered on those trips to and from home/school.

I could go on and on, but these are just a few of my top purchases.  There's a whole section on the Oriental Trading called Teaching Supplies and Stationary where you can find great deals.  Be careful, though!  You can get sucked in with all the great supplies that inspire fun ideas.

Before you check out I encourage you to do a Google search for "Oriental Trading discounts" or "Oriental Trading coupons".  You can find some promo codes that can save you some money or get your free shipping.  I just did this the other day while placing an order on Target and saved $15 total with promotional and shipping discounts!

Back to School Supplies!

Ok, teachers!  Please validate me here!  I LOVE office supplies!  That's not weird is it?  I've always loved pens, pencils, stationary . . . you name it since I was a little girl, so now that I'm a teacher this has become a dangerous obsession!  But wait . . . it gets worse.  When I find really nice or really cool office supplies, I don't want to use them because then they'd be all used up so I hoard them!  I'm working on this.  I don't want to end up on the tv show (although I've seen some pretty scary classrooms out there that comfort me in that I know I wouldn't be the 1st one they'd choose if there was ever a "Hoarders: Teacher Edition").

Anyways, the reason I bring up office supplies is that it's back to school time and the sales are starting!  While it's always fun to elbow your way down the crowded Back to School aisles at Walmart, Target, Office Depot, Staples, or , I always have to revisit a teacher's best shopping friend: Oriental Trading!

Here are a few of my favorite Back to School teacher products from Oriental Trading.

These usually last my 1st graders the 1st few weeks of school when they're still a little shy and the Specials teachers and Cafeteria staff are still getting to know their names.  (Well . . . they help me too for the first few days.  I usually learn their names quickly, but it helps to see their names too!)

 I think these are pretty cool.  I usually just use sheet protectors (and lots of them), but I'm trying these out this year.

 You know how it is during preplanning.  You're constantly gluing things onto magnets, clothespins, sticks, tables, walls, etc.  Maybe this will help me keep some sanity!  There are lots of different options available here  as to size, quantity, and other factors regarding these glue dots.

Plastic envelopes.  A must have for reading groups!  I've used these for years now to keep their books, dry, clean, secure, and easy to find.  Reading logs, homework, reading books, etc get slipped into these babies and they're safe and secure . . . for the most part!  I usually get these a lot cheaper at Big Lots, but the years I can't find them there, I get them from Oriental Trading.  Trust me, I've searched high and low for a cheaper option.  This is the best I've found when I can't get them at Big Lots.

 Name Plates!  I try to avoid going to the teacher stores at all costs at the beginning of the school year.  1-The crowds are crazy!  2-It's dangerous to my wallet.  I'd be too tempted to get more stuff!  Oriental Trading carries lots of different styles of name plates.  I do warn you, though.  They're not all the same size, but the price (and dimensions listed) are a good indicator as to which ones you should purchase.  I bought the cheaper ones thinking they were just a much better deal, but they turned out to be half the length . . . but I think I like that better!

I use as many magnetic surfaces as possible in my room!  It's how I organize centers and small groups, and it's also how my students keep track of their behavior and where they are in the writing process.  It was also how I kept track of who was ordering what breakfast for several years.  So I guess what I'm saying is:  I use lots of magnets.  Self-adhesive means less hot glue for me!  Yippie!

Oh, and just in case you're wondering . . . no, I am not being compensated by Oriental Trading in any way (although I wouldn't mind that at all!).  I'm just like any other teacher - a huge fan!

BTW. . .

For those of you looking for great deals, have you thought to go to Michael's (the Arts and Crafts store)?  I was over there picking up some supplies for a baking project and saw tons of great stuff!  Check out their clearance section (found some $2 Bingo games like rhyming in those bins).  It's also a great place to find stuff for your treasure box! They do have a little teacher/classroom section, but in my opinion the clearance section had better finds.