Thrifty Thursday- 13th Edition

slide1

Thrifty Thursday

Each week I bring to you helpful tips to become a more effective educator on the Always A Lesson fan page on Facebook. (Give it a quick like by clicking here!) I decided to start grouping my social media posts into a blog post incase you might have missed anything.

Time to get caught up:

  1. Save paper and tape geometry shapes & dimensions to the floor for students to solve!
  2. Instead of throwing away sun bleached items this summer, repurpose them as classroom decor, center organizers, etc.
  3. Snag worn out unitubes after pool season and use as flexible seating in the fall!
  4.  A fun, inexpensive end-of-year project is for students to bring in a worn, light colored shirt. Using felt markers, students summarize their year on the fabric square remnants & sew together for a “Year In Review” blanket bulletin board!
  5. Can’t laminate an activity for repeated use? Stick it into a Ziplock bag and you’re good to go!
  6. Students love to have fun practicing their sight words. Collect donations for empty paper towel rolls to use as megaphones for fluency practice.
  7.  Need graph paper? Turn a lined piece of paper sideways and draw vertical lines!
  8. Running out of funds for flexible seating or rug squares? Outline student work spaces on the floor with painters tape while you wait for community donations.
  9. Use every interaction with the community as a way to build relationships that develop into volunteers and/or classroom item donations. These two results can transform your learning space if you are willing to reach out and ask for the benefit of your students.
  10. Snag clean, gently used scarves, hand towels, and pillow cases to use as carpet squares for students’ independent flexible work spaces.

Stay tuned for the next edition coming out in a few weeks!

Want these updates in real time? Follow me on social media via the links on top of the page 🙂

94E513B457643ADF0A41DF69086E2733

About the author, Gretchen

I am a teacher trainer and coach. Working elbow to elbow with teachers and teacher leaders to ensure instructional proficiency and student achievement soar lights me up. We have a real need in our nation for strong educators to remain in the field. My blog, book, podcast, courses and instructional materials are geared towards empowering teachers (and those that lead them) to receive the support needed to grow and thrive today, tomorrow and always.