Where to buy Tools
Yesterday I talked all about tools (accommodations) and how great they are for helping kids access the curriculum. The issue that a lot of teachers have is where do I get this stuff at? Well let me tell you my top 5 go to places I try to look at to find something that is cute and has a purpose.
1. Target $ Spot
The target dollar spot has items ranging from $1-$5 for the most part and has some super cute tools there. I tend to see a lot of felt items which are great for any student learning how to share because kids getting hit with things is a thing and it’s not a fun thing to deal with so the more felt the better it is. Toys are a great tool because they teach are kids the social skills of sharing, working together, and tackling on goals as a team. If a student isn’t comfortable with working with someone else they may not be able to find a job very easily in life later.
Another amazing thing about this spot is it always has seasonal items for any party you may be planning and some really great learning tools. I recently found some legos that had labels on them that help a child visualize spelling the word with smaller legos and showing them the entire word with the big leg (pictured above). If you’re lucky they also have blank books which are great for creating stories in something that we last this child forever. I actually have a very fun plan for these next year which I will share in a few months.
2. Walmart
Where I live the Super Target is right next door to the Super Walmart so sometimes if I really am on a tight budget I will run into Walmart and hope I can find some things there. I try to keep my class full of snacks in case of a hungry student and Walmart is my go to when I can’t make it to Costco or for party treats. Luckily ours has a bakery so I’m able to buy cookies for $5 tops that are seasonally themed.
I go to this place a lot too when I am working on science experiments with my students. They always seem to have the super odd things needed to make elephant toothpaste or the items I need for s more’s experiment last minute.
3. Dollar Tree
I love the Dollar Tree. Or any store that has everything for $1 or 99 cents. Why, because when teaching it can be obvious that some of our students are not have the experiences we had growing up and I try to make everything special for them. That means for Christmas everyone gets a stocking filled with necessities like gloves and beanies but also the fun things like a few sweets and maybe some toys.
I also have a Market where students can buy things at the end of the week and keeping that bad boy stocked would be such a challenge if I didn’t have the Dollar Tree. Sometimes you can super luck out and find a package of things for $1 and it is the most exciting find ever! It can get expensive being a teacher but the dollar tree always has my back.
4. Hobby Lobby
This place is my jam when it comes to organization. I ended up getting the basket gene from my grandmother who has over 120 baskets in her one bedroom house (yes we counted and yes we told her she was crazy). Yet turns out I’m just as crazy because everything is either in a rolly cart or a basket in my classroom. At Hobby Lobby they have a bunch and if you have a coupon they are $2-$4. Which is amazing!!!! Hobby Lobby is my Summer Sanctuary when I am remodeling my classroom and need storage and decor. Don’t forget your coupon too!
5. Amazon
Last but not least, when you don’t know where to look, you look at Amazon. I have found everything from hats for a talent show to borders for my classroom. We all know Amazon is amazing and can have whatever you may desire. I also like to look up bulk items when I need one for all of my students to find a few in a bundle. The best part is with prime shipping you can get it quick. For example, I posted about sand timers and needed those ASAP. I ordered them the end of the school week and had them for the student by Monday the next week. When you need it quick and you can’t find it anywhere else, Amazon is almost always the answer.