Giveaway Results & Back to School Shopping

Last week I announced my Inspirational Giveway!  For every new follower I received through the 4th of July, I would donate $1 to Smile Train.  I am proud to say that I have 22 new followers!  I am chipping in a little more to make a $25 donation to Smile Train.

Thank you to all of you who were "inspired" to follow my blog!

Now on to one of my favorite things to do.......shopping!


The other day I went shopping for some “school” supplies.  I know…it’s kinda early.  But, we’re about to go on vacation and I was afraid if I waited until we got back, I may not be able to find the things I needed.  So, off I went.

Purchase #1

A few years ago, I started using this rolling hamper as our lunch basket and it was a hit.  Soon, all 8 teachers on our team were using it.  It’s perfect for 3^rd or 4^th graders. It has wheels, only requires one operator, and doesn’t take up much space.  I decorate it with decals from the Dollar Tree, and then add my name and room number in vinyl letters.  To keep it clean, I line it with a kitchen trash bag.  After five years one of the wheels broke, so it was time to get a new one.

Purchase #2

I’m so excited about a rug I found for my classroom at Office Depot (click  for more rug choices).  It’s perfect!  It's bright and colorful and   < BONUS!> has a geometric pattern.  Math teachers love patterns!    I mean, how often do you find a rug that matches your classroom AND can be used for a Math lesson…….all for $29.99!  Score!!! 

Purchase #3

I have a treasure chest in my class that I use to store classroom rewards.  The problem is that it isn’t a chest…..it’s a shopping bag.  I had a cardboard treasure chest a few years back, but it got trashed rather quickly.  So you can imagine how excited I was to run across this plastic container shaped like a real treasure chest at Walmart.  The best part is the price is right!  Come on down! I’m getting out my hot glue gun and decorating it with some fake jewels.   What a find!

Purchase #4

You never know what you are going to find at The Dollar Tree.  This trip was great!  Each of these items was $1.00!

Tickets – They are the currency in my classroom. 

Pom Poms (in my colors!) – I’m going to hot glue them to the end of dry erase markers to use as erasers.

Mini containers – I use these to store items in my anchor stations and to store number tiles (0-9) to use with Marcy Cook Number Tile Activities.  I also put a pair of foam dice inside and hot glue the lid shut. This makes a very quiet dice roller and the dice don't go everywhere.  

Bingo Daubers -  Daubers have tons of uses. I use them to make borders on Anchor Charts and in anchor stations to make arrays and fractions of a set.  The kids love to use them.

Clip Magnets & Pencil Holder - I can never have enough of these.

My last stop was Lakeshore.  I wanted to get a new owl set I saw in a catalogue, but I discovered that Lakeshore is having a "Back to School" Sale starting today through Sept. 2.   With that in mind, I left, saying in my best Arnold voice....I'll be back!  

Please comment and tell me about your back to school finds!  If you've blogged about it, leave me your link so I can visit!  Have a great day and stay cool!  

q Diane r