- Use the plastic “popcorn” from packages for art projects and math counters.
- Ask at your local newspaper for leftover newsprint for art projects and drawing paper.
- Scout out companies that use computer paper. They often discard the last few inches of a stack of paper rather than risk running out while printing.
- Swap and share with other teachers rather than buying duplicate supplies.
- Check magazines and newspapers for coupons and free offers.
- Invest in fade-proof paper to back your bulletin boards. It will last all year.
- Save all kinds of containers—margarine tubs, coffee cans, oatmeal cartons, and so on—for storing games and math manipulatives.
- Send home a monthly class newsletter and ask parents to save things for art and science projects.
- Buy or borrow a book such as “500 Free Things for Kids to Do and Send For.”
- Use macaroni or other pastas in different shapes for counters, art projects, and so on.
- Ask stores for used seasonal advertising displays—hearts, bunnies, Santas, and so on. Cut off or cover up the advertising and use them for dramatic bulletin board accents.
- If your district has a media lab, use it to create games, charts, and activities.
- Ask students to bring a favorite (or extra) game from home to use in the classroom on rainy days.
- Ask parents and students to go through their books. If they are no longer using them, they may want to donate them to your classroom library.
- Look for children’s books at garage sales and swap meets and add them to your classroom library.
- Stir up some salt and flour modeling dough. You can keep it for quite a while in airtight containers for reuse, or you can bake the results of the students’ projects for use as permanent ornaments, paperweights, etc.
- If you buy treats for your class, purchase them in large quantities at discount stores.
- Look through the advertising materials you get through the mail at work. They often contain posters, maps, or stickers.
- Keep leftover activity sheets. Use the backs for scratch paper.
- Remember that time and money are interchangeable. Spend time to save money.
Author: TCR Staff
Tips for Classroom Clean-up
We all know how time-consuming it can be to have to clean up, but it must be done. Here are some tips for keeping your classroom nice and clean.
- Silver polish will take off grease pencil marks.
- Toothpaste is great for cleaning wooden desks, especially those water spots.
- Shaving cream also cleans wooden desks. Not only will the students have a blast using it, but they can finger-paint and make designs as they clean. (Note: With small children, be sure to put newspaper on the floor under the desks.)
- When you are doing class artwork and dread the mess, cover the worktables with old newspapers.
- Baby wipes are wonderful for wiping hands when needed, cleaning up the room, cleaning dry erase boards, cleaning spills in the room, getting off pencil marks on desks, and erasing transparencies. Not only do they smell good, they are non-toxic.
- Tissues with lanolin make good wipes for all chalkboards and whiteboards.
- Hair spray cleans dry erase boards and will get ink out of clothing. It also removes permanent marks from furniture. If the hair spray seems a bit sticky, spray with rubbing alcohol and wipe.
- For removing crayon marks, just use baking soda and water and rub away.
- Some teachers keep a spray bottle of water and a roll of paper towels by the overhead projector for cleaning the transparencies. Other teachers have suggested covering the original transparency with plastic wrap and writing on it, rather than on the original transparency. Then, just throw the plastic wrap away.
- W-D 40 is excellent for getting tape off walls or boards or project work.
Making classroom clean-up a fun activity for your students is another way to help keep your classroom clean. Here is a great tip from one of our readers:
“I have been trying the ‘lucky piece of garbage.’ I secretly pick a random piece of trash on the floor. When someone picks it up, they win a pencil/treat of some kind. Within minutes, my entire floor is clean and my kids are excited!” -Kristi
Got a great cleaning tip or idea you’d like to share? Add your tips to our comment roll!
Teacher Survival Kit
Considering that teaching is often a very taxing job, all teachers could use a survival kit. A survival kit will remind us why we chose to be teachers. Here are some items to include in your kit:
(Note: Phrases taken from a poem by an unknown author):
- A pencil so you can write down your blessings
- A piece of chewing gum to help you remember to “stick with it”
- An eraser to help you remember, everyone makes mistakes, even teachers
- A candy kiss to help you remember that we all need hugs now and then
- A toothpick to remind you that you can pick out the good things in anyone
- A smiley face to help you remember a smile takes less muscles than a frown
- A seed to remind us that things grow and mature and things can change
Teacher “Picker-Upper”
Sometimes teachers need a bit of pepping up. Try this idea for a teacher friend. Obtain several medium-size empty pill bottles from the local pharmacy. On a large adhesive label, write the “prescription” below for a teacher friend or other co-worker. Paste it to the pill bottle. Fill the bottle with some type of small candies. Place it on a friend’s desk or in his or her mailbox. Just the idea will help brighten the day!
RX# 12345 100 mg
Dr. (your name) For: (Whomever)
Directions: Whenever you are feeling down in the dumps, take one or two of these for an energy boost. Refill as necessary.
Tips for Handling Substitute Teachers
There are times when you will not know, in advance, that you will be absent from your job. There may not be enough planned for a substitute. Having a substitute folder is definitely a plus. Have one that you can keep in your desk drawer or in a special spot with your lesson plan book. Inside the folder you should include the following items:
- class list and seating chart
- class schedule
- brief description of your duties and the days you have duty—i.e. lunch, dismissal, before school
- list of dependable students to carry a message to the office or another teacher
- description of your daily routine, such as how you take up lunch monies, how students should be dismissed, manner in which the office can be reached in case of emergency
- notes about the discipline/management system
- special notes on any student behavior
- special information on students—such as frequent need for bathroom or medication given at office
- names of all the staff or names of teachers in the area
- substitute time fillers and special work
- stickers or special treats for good behavior
- an evaluation form for the teacher to fill out
The substitute will appreciate all the information and you will not have to worry about your lesson plans and how the day is going. Your lesson plans should be as complete and clear as possible. Note where books can be found and on what pages the lessons are found. Also, make a note as to whether or not you want your substitute to grade papers and designate a spot for them to be placed once they are finished.
For more tips on how to handle substitute teachers, check out:
