Five for Friday - A Week of Thriftiness

There's always something fun going on at Doodlebugs Teaching! 

Click HERE to see this week's linky party!

This was my view a few nights this week.  Laminating, cutting, and watching the Braves game!

 

So what was I working on?  Dramatic play theme packets from Vanessa Levin at Pre-K Pages.  I won a CD with several of  Vanessa's theme packets when I attended her workshop at a  Georgia Pre-K conference last year.  So glad to have time this summer to finally get everything assembled.  



Vanessa's packets are a wonderful resource that help to incorporate literacy standards in your dramatic play center.  Click here to see how Vanessa sets up her dramatic play area and some of her theme packets.

I'm storing each packet in a big manila envelope inside my Rubbermaid tubs.  Each month when I switch out the theme of our dramatic play area, it will be quick and easy to grab the packet and other props I need.  Can't wait to use these!



A great find this week from a local thrift shop!

 Steve Spangler test tube experiment kit with five of the baby soda bottles and a sturdy stand!  One of the experiments was missing but considering I only paid $4 and a similar item is on the Spangler website for $19.99...I'm pretty happy with it!  Always fun to find something new for the Science center!

Another thrifty purchase to brighten up my kitchen window!

Here's the BEFORE pic...

 

And the AFTER...



I'm just now discovering Washi Tape.  I know. I'm waaaay behind all the latest trends but figuring out some fun ways to use these beautiful little tapes.  Hobby Lobby had a 50% sale this week and I found a few bright colors to use in my Binder.  Click  HERE to read about my Teacher Binder.

 

I know the sport of cycling and the Tour de France has had it's share of controversy, drama, and scandal.  But what this picture shows about teamwork, comradery, and determination to the finish is simply amazing to me.   I still don't understand all the strategies and tactics a team uses in the race but I do understand what this picture says.

 

Are you following the Tour de France? 

 

Are you following my blog?

 

Thrifty Thursday

Everyone's favorite kindergarten guy, Mr. Greg, is hosting Thrifty Thursday at  The Kindergarten Smorgasboard.  Mr. Greg shared what he did HERE with some finds from the Dollar Store.

 

 

As much as I love the Dollar Store, I love a good teacher yard sale even more!  A few Saturdays ago, I discovered a yard sale where a sweet, young teacher was getting married, moving to Ohio, and selling all her stuff! Almost everything she had practically was from Lakeshore and her prices were great.  Actually, her prices were incredible!  Here's what I got...

 

I paid around $50 for everything you see!

 

Math resources including Fruit Counters, Shape Sort, fun Number Mats, and a set of Number Playdoh Stampers ...

 

Word family, writing, and literacy resources...

 

 

 

 

 Brand new package of Science bottles...

 



 Sturdy organizers for books...

 Thrifty never looked so good!  I've bought enough at Lakeshore to know I got a great deal! 

Are you a thrifty teacher? Do you shop at teacher yard sales? 

 

Thrifty Thursday: Legal Paper in PreK

Don't you just love finding a GREAT deal on something you can use in your classroom?

 

On my most recent Goodwill trip, I came across a stack of  Legal Paper ... brand new, original packaging, excellent condition, 500 sheets per package.

 

These usually retail for at least $9.99 per package but I noticed they were Goodwill priced!  I quickly had my husband get a shopping cart and I grabbed all six reams. For $1.91 I knew I couldn't go wrong.

 

I only paid $11.46 for all six packages which is a savings of 81% off the typical retail price.

 

So what does one do with 3,000 pieces of legal paper when you're teaching a class of five year olds?

 

Two or three packages will be cut in half for drawing paper to keep our art center well stocked.  When I spend so little, I can easily afford to let my budding artists use as much paper as they need for all their creativities.

 

I'll use another ream or so for assembling little books to make personal ABC books, pages for handwriting practice, number booklets, mini dictionaries, and much more.

 



So what else did I find? 

 

How about four wonderful paperback readers in "like new" condition...

and one BIG BOOK of the classic song every child loves to sing...

 

The Goodwill stores in my area sell children's paperback books for only 77 cents so these were truly a bargain and a very nice addition to my growing book collection.

I'm linking up for the first time with the Thrifty Thursday Party hosted by The Thrifty Couple.  It's fun to see how others save money with their creative DIY projects, recipes, crafts, and thrifty tips.

 

 

 

Thrifty Thursday - Spool & Spell

Still working on that post to share my I Teach K experiences but I wanted to jump in real quick to join Greg over at The Kindergarten Smorgasboard for his Summer with Smorkie Thrifty Thursday!

I can officially call him Greg since we've shared the Photo Booth.  I'm sure he remembers me...along with the other gazillion teachers he met in Vegas at the conference!  Oh, and yes, he really is THAT nice and just as inspirational as you would expect him to be!
 

 

 

When most people, like my new friend Greg, think "thrifty"  they  think about the Dollar Store.  I definitely buy my fair share of Dollar Store delights just like most teachers.  But when I really want to be  as "thrifty" as possible, I think of  yard sales where I can get two or three things, maybe even MORE, for  only a DOLLAR! 

 

I recently purchased this preschool toy from a neighborhood yard sale.  A classic lacing activity.  Spools & lacing yarn.  A nice addition to any classroom. 

 



 

I opened the lid, quickly counted ensuring all the pieces were there, and paid the nice lady.

 

 

 

 That's 25 cents, friends!  Yes, I got it for only a quarter!

 

You know you could use this just as a lacing task to work on fine motor skills.  But I wanted more than that! Since I'm always on the hunt for fun sight word activities, I decided to turn it into a  "Spool & Spell"! 

 

I typed up my letters and Modge Podged them on the spools.

 

 

My students will be able to lace their letters and spell a sight word!

 

 

And all while they're practicing their fine motor skills. 

 

And for just a quarter!