subtitled: Run, Don’t Walk, to Target. . . .NOW
It’s the time of year when stores start putting out the back to school displays and teacher start looking for the best deals. As a former teacher, I know what I’m talking about.
Schools provide curriculum, desks, and basic classroom supplies, but a lot of what a teacher uses throughout the year (both as teaching tools and classroom decor) is an out-of-pocket expense. Classroom organizers, theme posters, reward charts, supplemental lesson materials, planners, that favorite dry-erase or overhead marker you just can’t teach without . . . the list can get big in a hurry.
And, FYI: teacher supply stores are NOT cheap. When I was still teaching, I had to budget for the items I wanted for my school year. Posters — simple posters — ranged from $2-$15. Yes — $15 for thematic posters . . . . and that giant Shakespeare cutout I put on my wall (the one that my kids used to claim “watched” them and creeped them out. . . whatever. You’re 14 — he’s Shakespeare. He stays.).
This school year, as with the past two, I will be at home with my kidlets — and this year, I will be homeschooling the Little Lady.
Yep . . .biting the bullet and putting her in a full on preschool program. . . at home. Just the two of us. All day.
(as normal)
Trying to teach life-skills, along with readin’, writin’, and ‘rithmetic. Should be fun, right?
(right?)
Anyway, just like when I was teaching professionally, I’ve been planning and prepping for the new school year — building a curriculum and gathering supplies. . . which is why I nearly SQUEALED out loud when Hubby and I were at Target last night.
See all of that? $20. Yep — TWENTY BUCKS!
This week, it seems that the dollar aisle at Target is home to back to school supplies — both for teachers and parents.
What did I find?
- Magnetic Letters
- Pocket Wall Charts
- Lesson Plan Book
- Stickers
- Activity Worksheet Books
- Flashcards
- Learning Clock
- Wooden Calendar Set
- Counting/Sorting Shapes
- Puzzles
- Dry Erase Board
- File Dividers
There were also pens, pencils, markers, storage containers/dividers, grade books, and MORE. I think I spent forty-five minutes filling my cart . . and then 20 minutes going through it all and weeding. (Hubby was there to remind me that there is still such a thing as a “budget.”)
So, whether, you’re teaching in a public or private setting . . . or just want some cheap stuff for your kiddo, GO. TO. TARGET.
(and have fun!)
