Top Teacher Finds and the Dollar Store

It's no secret that I LOVE shopping at the Dollar Store and the local .99¢ Store.  Who doesn't love a bargain.  If you remember my post from March How Much Money Do Teachers Really Spend on their classrooms, then you know why the Dollar Store and stores like it are a teachers best friend.

So what does one buy at theses kinds of stores?

CONTAINERSYes, I love containers, I have far too many, but never seem to have the ones I need.  I get a little excited when I see aisles full of colorful plastic bins.  Containers have so many uses.

• Holds supplies
• Holds Books on tables
• Use for trash cans for each table
• Paper Baskets

CLOTHESPINS

• Hang work on clothesline 
• Clip student work together
• Use for behavior chart, attendance charts, choice time charts
• Use for Clip-It center activities.
• Fine motor skills

TABLECLOTHS

• Cover tables o during art projects
• Use on bulletin boards
• Cover computers and bookcases during summer break

OFFICE SUPPLIES

• Magazine HoldersClip Boards
• Dry Erase Markers
• Dry Erase Boards, Tape
• Ink Pens
• Pencils
• Labels
• Paper Clips
• Binder Clips
• Sharpies

CRAFT SUPPLIES

• google eyes
• glue sticks (They even have GLITTER glue stick)
• popsicle sticks
• stickers
• foam pieces
• pipe cleaners

CLASSROOM DECOR

• Bulletin Board Trim
• Die Cut Letters
• Calendar pieces
• Number lines
• Name tags
• Posters
• Poster Board
• Stickers

KITCHEN ITEMS

• Veggie Trays- use for sorting
• Placemats- use for play-doh mats
• Small containers- Use for glue tubs or play-doh containers
• Tongs- Use for small motor skills
• Funnels- Use in Sensory Bins
• Measuring Cups-Use for Sensory Bins
• Timers
• Ice Cube rays-Use for stamps, sorting and ten frames
• Cookie Sheets- Use for magnetic boards
• Plastic Dish Pans-Use for book buckets
• Brown Lunch Bags- use for puppets or gift wrap
• Plastic Baggies

HARDWARE DEPARTMENT

• Drop cloths
• Paint brushes
• Hammer
• Screwdriver
• Nails
• Rope
• Tape Measure
• Level
• 
  

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

• Shaving Cream-Use for sensory play, and art projects
• Cotton Balls- Use for art projects
• Make-up Sponges-Use for for dry erase boards
• Q-Tips- Use for painting

SEASONAL ITEMS

• Classroom Holiday Decorations
• Chalk
• Frisbees
• Pool Noodles- Use for all kinds of thing
• Bubbles

SPONGES

• Glue sponges
• Classroom cleanup
• Water play
• Painting

So before you head back into your classroom make a list of all things you might need for the year.   Then stop at your local Dollar Store to stock up on supplies.