One of my favorite back to school rituals is visiting Target for their back to school section. Their selection of school supplies is always great, with awesome prices to match, but the real score is in the dollar spot section located just as you enter the store. This area is loaded with teacher goodies, all for $1 to $5! I have learned the hard way that the way to maximize your benefit is to start shopping early, a.k.a. during the actual summertime! Last year, I wandered over at the end of August, and it was too late - everything had been seriously picked over. I visited two local Target stores in early July and I was able to really stock up! Of course, this probably also depends on when "back to school" is in your local area, so you might have time yet! Here is what I was able to pick up, and how I plan to use it in my classroom!
Dry Erase Blocks - I have so many ideas for centers with this little set! In literacy, I was thinking word family games (roll two dice, see if you can match onset with rime to make a word) or CVC word games (roll three cubes to see if you can make a word, can track real and nonsense words). In math, these would be great for reviewing math facts (roll two dice with numbers, and a third die that either says add or subtract on it) or numeracy review (match numbers and quantities). I love that these are erasable, so you can use them again and again!
Animals of the World Felt Map - This was a steal for just $5! I do a geography unit about the continents with my first graders, and this would be perfect for all kinds of mapping activities. I love that it comes with the felt animals already, so there is one sorting game that is done for you. It also included a little answer key that I am going to laminate with some additional facts about each animal/continent - a self checking center at that! The felt is pretty sturdy, so this could just as easily be put on the floor as posted up on a wall. Looking forward to letting the kids explore!
Reward Stickers- Can a teacher have too many stickers? My overflowing sticker box would indicate not! I love having lots of stickers on hand for behavior/incentive charts, homework, motivating kids throughout the day (oh the wonders that giving a well behaved child a sticker during circle time...suddenly you have a class of attentive little ones smiling up at you!). I always grab extras of the glittery star stickers because those prove handy for crafts as well as fine motor practice. At $1 per book, these are a must-have!
Birthday Bookmarks/Badges - I love giving kids a little recognition on their birthdays and this is an easy way! For $1 each, you get a class pack of bookmarks with a space for children's names and a birthday badge to stick on their shirts. Last year, I had kids decorate their own birthday crown, and gave it to them on their birthdays, but there was always the problem of new students arriving/general fidgety kids who could not keep the crown on their head all day! I think this is going to be an easy peasy solution!
Shape and Learn Alphabet Set - I have never used Play Foam in the classroom, but I was intrigued by this set! It includes a set of alphabet flashcards with letter formation guides, and two different colors of the Play Foam. It is the perfect size for a center activity (I got two), and the cards can be used with Play Doh or other sensory materials as well. One Kindergarten alphabet center checked off the list!
Complete the Word Puzzle - Match the two parts to complete complete the word and the picture.
Number & Shape Sequence Puzzle - Match four pieces that each show a way to represent the number. I especially liked this one because you can then ask the kids to sequence all the completed puzzles in a number line!
Rhyming Puzzle Wheels- Connect all the words that rhyme. I liked that these included a picture and word on each piece for some built in differentiation. The pieces are small but pretty sturdy, so a bit of extra fine motor work in there too!
Can you believe each of these games was $1 each?! Just provide a Ziplock bag or box to store them, and centers are ready to go!
Pocket Chart & Calendar Pocket Chart with cards - Last year I was able to stock up on the $1 small pocket charts...this year I only found the single green one that matched with my classroom colors (though I left behind some cute purple ones!). I use these charts for centers, sorts, and especially for making sentences. They are the perfect kid size, so they are all around my classroom - I just send my kids off in pairs or solo with the activity in a Ziplock, and off they go!
My most exciting find is the classroom calendar pocket chart. I have been using the Interactive Whiteboard for my calendar time, which works great in general, except there are moments that you want the kids to be able to refer quickly to the calendar without pulling it up on the display. This calendar comes already with a set of number, days of the week and month cards, so all I have to do is find a spot for it in the room. I think I will stick to my Interactive Whiteboard for the circle time, but this could be an easy element to add it (ie. have a child flip over the number for the date we are on). Since I want the kids to take ownership of the calendar, I think I will have them take turns writing/designing cards to designate special days (ie. birthdays, photo day, class trips). Cannot wait to see how it works out!
Classroom Decor Items - How cute are these apple clothespins?? And to top it off, the black part is chalkboard! I have a small display board outside of my classroom for announcements, notes, etc. and think those would be perfect for fancying it up a bit! I love window clings for adding color to the classroom but not blocking any light, so these were a no brainer. The last item I have some big plans for...the felt classroom banner. I am thinking of printing out some letters to add to it and either using it for my literacy or math center area. I think my inspiration will come when I see it in the space, and I for one cannot say no to a little extra color in the classroom!
Mini Erasers - I have started using mini erasers as manipulative in my classroom, and I have never looked back! These are such a fun way to liven up any game or math activity. When I saw the apple ones, I instantly thought of the Apple themed Roll and Cover games I use (available here as a FREEBIE). Whenever I see these mini erasers I stock up, especially at $1 per pack!
Here's hoping you are able to make it to a local Target store and stock up on the fantastic goodies they have available. Let me know about what you were able to find in the comments below!
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