garage sales!!!!

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garage sales!!!!
By Alicia

Hi Rebecca,
I'm just finishing my first year. The best place to get cheap supplies for your classroom are garage sales! Last summer my friend and I went garage saling every Thursday. We took the newspaper and planned our
route for the day. A few times we went to garage sales at teacher's homes who were just retiring. I have a ton of books in my classroom (more than most teachers who've been there awhile), and I bought most of them at garage sales for about $.25-$.50.
There's also a used teacher store in my area. The store buys gently used items from teachers (most who are retiring). They sell them

for about half price. You may want to check out your area for used teacher stores. I'm not sure how common they are, because this is the first one in my area.

It's also a good idea to collect a little at a time. I know you are starting this fall, but I started collecting some general supplies while I was in college. Maybe you can get a little here and there this summer.

Necessities for me aredepends on grade level)
-books for my students-various levels and genres
-organizers-baskets, bins, etc...
-boarders and things for bulletin boards-You don't need a ton, but it's nice to have things on the walls and make it feel welcoming.
-cursive letter line (my 3rd and 4th graders write in cursive)
-fun colored markers for correcting-I don't use red.
-book/chart paper stand (your school may provide this)
-stamps (I like to put stamps on my students' papers)
-desk organizers for pens, pencils, paper clips, tacks)
-pocket charts-for calendar, behavior plan, daily schedule
-puzzles and games (can always find at garage sales) for rainy days and free choice

YOu may want to find out what's in your classroom already and what your school will provide. I spent money on a few things that were provided by my school.

Good luck!