I don't know about the rest of you, but I get really excited when order time comes around. I'm a little worried this year; however, because we are usually done ordering for the next year by now and I haven't heard anything yet. I'm wondering if, because of the economy, we will not be getting as much money to order for next year. That would mean we would have to seriously consider what we need vs. what we want. We are lucky that we get a budget per classroom, but outside of that money nothing is provided for us. We have to use that money to order anything and everything we think we need for the next year that we don't ask students to bring in like: pencils, staples, paper clips, folders, etc.
I decided to give you a list of some of the things that I LOVE and buy every year - My FAVES. Then I also have a few things that I have my eye on for next year - My Wishlist. My Wishlist will most likely be the things I will need to purchase with my own money if I really want them, but we'll see.
I would love to hear from what's on everyone else's wishlists - your
Faves AND your Wishlist. Link up below!
Ok - here we go....
MY FAVES
You will see a trend in the things I like to order. I am all about COLOR! I know that buying colorful pens and folders are more expensive, but dangit they make me happy.
So my first FAVE is the markers I use on my charts and posters. The Sharpie markers are really great for anchor charts, but I just love Mr. Sketch and all the different choices of colors too. So I get both :)
Then, of course, it makes me happy to use different colored pens for checking papers, writing in my desk calendar, jotting down ideas, etc.
Every teacher knows you can never have too many file folders. And remember I like colorful things. I like to use different color folders for different subjects, holidays, month, etc. It helps me feel more organized because I remember the colors I use and I can find things easier.
This is a set of bulletin board borders from Carson Dellosa that I already have, but I want more of them because I love them. This year my room has tons of polka dots. The black border with polka dots on top of a bright background color looks awesome. It really makes the bulletin board pop! I also really like the black with swirls.
And finally, as any teacher who creates or uses computer generated center materials or games, you know you need lots of cardstock to print on so the supplies are durable from year to year. I plan on getting tons of white cardstock, but I also like (of course) the colored pack too!
MY WISHLIST
My goal this year - really it's my goal EVERY year is to be more organized. Each year I feel a little better about my organization, but I really think being organized depends on having the right materials to organize with. So I'm looking for some things to get to continue organizing myself and my students.
First up are plastic drawers. I have one of these in my room right now, but I really think I could organize better with a couple more.
Next item are these cute boxes I found at Really Good Stuff. I don't know what I'll use these for, but I'm sure I will find something - probably centers and games.
I also really liked these magazine boxes I found. I found them HERE, but I'm sure they are in teacher supply magazines too. I want to use them for students' browsing book boxes.
This next item is one of my students' favorite things we have in our classroom - a whisper phone for quiet reading. This one is from Really Good Stuff again. Right now I only have 1 of these and 2 that are made out of PVC pipes. The kids really LOVE using these. I use them during guided reading. A couple kids use the whisper phones (we alternate) so they can hear themselves reading and don't get distracted by the others. I would love to have a bunch more of these for center time and quiet reading.
Another thing I've been looking at are these canvas book bags for students to take classroom books home. Again, these are also from Really Good Stuff - I love that site!!! Right now I send home books each week in gallon size Ziploc bags. It works, but these would be so much nicer!
Finally - and this is a total WISHLIST item. I don't expect to be getting this this year, but a girl can dream :) For those of who don't know, this is a Silhouette Cameo machine. You can cut out letters and shapes and SO much more! This would be such a time saver and I could create AWESOME bulletin boards. Who knows if I'll ever get one, but I'll keep it on the list!
So, link up and let us all know what you cannot live without and what you REALLY want :) Don't forget to check back and see what everyone else wants.
