Target Dollar Spot

There have been a lot of posts lately about the AHmazing deals at Target right now, so I thought I'd share some of my finds!

Here's the whole shebang!

I always make a beeline straight for the dollar spot as soon as I walk into Target.  My husband trails along silently for about 4 seconds before he decides to head over to the electronics, knowing that I'm going to be occupied for a good long while (He really is a good sport about my many trips to Target).  I forgot to get a close up picture, but I got some great baskets and supply buckets for $2.50 each!  I've always done community supplies in the past, and as much as I love having the kids learn how to share the supplies, I'm a little tired of constantly having to ask someone to "Stop jiggling the markers, please!" so I think this year I am going to use individual supply boxes.  What are some tips you use for supplies?

I also got some birthday badges (always needed) and this adorable notebook to use for staff meetings.  I like keeping my notes from staff meetings for the year all in one place so I know where to find things later.

I am also crazy about stickers and put them on every piece of work my students turn in.  I usually try to get the kinds that boys and girls will like, but I couldn't resist the Mermaid Princess stickers!  They're even glittery!  Sometimes the girly-girl in me just takes over!

Scored some adorable hall passes for $1 each too!  I don't have the kids actually take them to the bathroom (or office or water fountain) because they come back wet/dirty/soggy/germy/broken.  Ew.  When someone needs to leave the room and have permission, I just have them place the pass on their desk so I know who is out of the room and the students know when their classmate has come back so they can ask permission (even though I usually say no, followed with "It's not contagious...")  I have also seen other teachers use dog squeaky toys as bathroom passes because they can easily be bleached throughout the year to disinfect them!

Last but not least, I got these precious notepads!  I am completely crazy for office supplies, and I always have been!  Give me a new pack of pens and I am a happy camper.  The striped list pad has a magnet on the back to stick on the side of my desk or filing cabinet!  I'm super pumped about using these!

What are some great scores you've found lately?

Never Underestimate the Power of the Thrift Store

So I admit it....I'm a thrifting junkie.  If I admit that it's a problem, that makes it ok, right?  Needless to say, a few weeks ago I found myself at a one of my favorite flea markets while visiting the fam in AL.  It's one of those places where individuals set up booths to sell their things.  I hit the jackpot when I found a booth run by a recently retired teacher!  I (proudly) demonstrated some self control and didn't totally clean her out.  Here's what I found:

*Notice that nothing, and I mean NOTHING, enters our house without Winslow investigating it first.  He approves of this purchase, by the way. :)  And note the B.I.G. mess in the background....more on that later.*

First, I got some super cute sparkly rainbow border (unopened!) for *drumroll* $1.00!!  You all know how quickly bulletin board supplies add up! I'm doing a garden theme in my room this upcoming year and I think it will be just perfect for my helper board.

I also got Chutes and Ladders, complete with all pieces for $1.50 and Hi-Ho Cherry-O (only missing 2 cherries) for $1.00!  These will be perfect for indoor recess days or Friday Free Choice minutes.  I have not gotten any new games since my first year teaching, which I can't believe was 5 years ago, so it's pretty safe to say that most of my games are worn out.

I also scored that lamp and spruced it up by hot gluing some ribbon I had laying around to the shade.  I plan to spray paint the base a different color because I'm not okay with the brown ribbon with the black base.  Cringe.  I love using sunlight and lamps whenever possible in my room.  It's so much more calming and really seems to have a positive effect on my kiddos.

So those are my super thrift store finds!  In these last few blissful weeks of summer before the back to school craziness, head over to your favorite local place and see what you can find!  Happy thrifting!

Sarah