Cheap posters/classroom activities/supplies ALL IN ONE PLACE

For the record: I like to say I'm a lazy bargain shopper. I don't coupon or really actively use a lot of deals (it has to be REALLY good). If i'm shopping for something though, I will usually go straight to the sale/clearance section, or prefer the items on sale. 

So, today was a really productive day. I had a lot to do to begin the process of getting everything together before leaving for Costa Rica with my man. On the way to finally pick up my lunch and head home (after running like 20 errands), I saw a rather large dollar store. Recently I asked a collegue of mine about where to find some supplies for my classroom, and she told me dollar stores were a great place to start. 

So I go inside, and there was a full section just for teachers. There was a HUGE range of different items that could be really useful depending on the classroom and the situation. Although, not everything was my style, I did find some really cute things that may be great for my kiddos. 

There were also a ton of things that are really reasonably priced that are great for working with children with disabilities. I also was able to pick up puzzles, games, flashcards, baskets, and sensory stimulation stretchy balls that would be great for centers. All of those items for the low cost of $24.68. 

 See that little flower on the left? Kind of a guilty purchase. But, it is solar operated and dances in the sun! How fun for a teacher's desk, or a classroom "pet". 

Of course I didn't get everything off my list, but I'm pretty glad I can check a few things. Perhaps I'll have to check more dollar stores before I buy the rest of my items huh? 

Items to buy and planner to print

So, I'm not exactly sure how I'm going to afford all these things, but I really need to find a way to buy these things....

activity books

classroom decoration and wall posters

sensory stimulation items

furniture for cool-down spot

carrying basket/supply boxes

binders for students and self

folders for students and self

file folders

On amazon, just the first two things total out to be about $130. 

I know that there is probably a way to actually ask the schools to give me the money to buy these things..but I want to wait to ask for money. i want these things though. These are all items that I would keep no matter who I work with. These items i'll use for years.

Not really sure how I'm going to afford these things...seeing as I'm not sure what my paycheck situation is for the end of august..**sigh**

Awesome Website I need to print out

The Curriculum Corner:

http://www.thecurriculumcorner.com/2012/07/12/teacher-planning-binder/

This looks like such a fun website. She has pages for contact info, parent communication logs, calendar pages, assignment check off sheets, literacy planning sheets, lesson plan templates, and much more! I cant wait to start using this! It's going to be great for the teacher workdays, just to have everything together in one organized binder..and just be able to fill in the spaces with information. 

Just an Intro

Hello, and welcome to my new blog (seeing as I've seemed to have lost my old ones).

I'm a 25 year old with a passion for working with children with disabilities. I majored in music therapy, however, jobs in my field are few and far between, and I need to get a teachers license to work in the school systems. So here I am, working towards my masters in special education..and newly hired! I am to work in a special ed 1-2 grade classroom with children with a wide variety of disabilities, and I'm so pumped.

Not only is my school right around the corner from my home, but the principal seems like a complete doll. Seems like fun! And, it doesn't hurt that I will be making twice the amount I made last year as a special ed instructional assistant (IA). 

A friend of mine worked at the school as an IA, with the children I will be working with. She warned me that the job is incredibly intense, with some very difficult kiddos. But, this school seems like such a sweet deal, I couldn't turn it down! And, I'm hoping to get together with her to work out some of the nuts and bolts of one particular student who caused a large amount of angst and stress. 

So...what makes this blog so different eh?

1) I am poor-- I am definitely not rich, and preparing for my classroom is going to be a challenge when one is on a budget like myself. Yes, my school should help me out a bit, but I'm scared to ask. 

2) I'm not crafty-- Okay, so I LOVE pinterest! I have this wonderful section just for teaching ideas which I hope to implement, but honestly...who has the time do all of them?!? And not to mention, my county blocks pinterest. This blog is going to help me keep everything organized with ideas that have been useful, helpful, simple, and on the rare occasions that I come up with something original, convenient for you. 

3) I'm incredibly messy-- Ohh yes, I have never been very good with organizing. Now, I live with 3 guys currently (one being my boyfriend), and our place is at a constant state of clutter (not only the guy's fault though). I feel as though I am the only one that cleans when things get to a point of chaos, and I am NOT going to let my classroom get that way. 

4) Confrontation with parents is a scary thought-- I've heard horror stories about special ed teachers and the student's parents. I, personally, hope to avoid the terror. This is also going to note how I open up the lines of communication with parents, or how I deal with the inevitable problems that arise.

5) I'm young-- I'm fun, I'm wild, I'm free! I have a social life--complete with the best friends a girl could ask for, and a boyfriend. I need to make sure I remember that...

6) This is my first adult job-- Yes, I was an IA, however I didn't make very much, and although it was enough to help me move out, but I had to live paycheck to paycheck every month. I hated it, and I plan on not continuing with that. That includes working incredibly hard, and then really dedicating myself to this job.

7) I've never actually done a lesson/IEP/parent conference-- yeah....

So that's me in a nutshell. There are actually many more reasons why I am creating this blog, but I'll spare you the boredom and hope that you just trust me. 

Give it a shot and follow me :)