Posts tagged "Educators"

Deciding What Teacher Supplies You Need

Buying teacher supplies can add up.  There is no doubt that you can easily spend more than you budget for as you shop for your teacher supplies this year.  You have had all summer to think about how you are going to change your routines, maybe create new centers, and add to your classroom library.  You may have even had an opportunity to read an inspiring professional development book that has given you new ideas.  How do you decide what educational materials you need right now and what ones you could purchase at a later date?  There are so many amazing teacher supplies, but there is no doubt that you have to narrow down your list.

When it comes to choosing the teacher supplies that I purchase at the beginning of the year, I really try to think back to what I was missing the previous year.  Or, I may make a list of the teacher supplies that my teammates have that I would like buy.  For instance, my teammate had a hundreds pocket chart, and I borrowed it many times.  I knew that I liked the pocket chart, so the following year it was one of my first “back to school” purchases.

Here are some questions to ask your self:

• What will help me the most as I begin my new year?
• Is there an item that I have been waiting a long time to buy?
• Would it be beneficial if I asked my teammates to buy a big item together?
• Do the items I want to buy really match my teaching goals?

After you decide what you are going to buy, visit www.k12schoolsupplies.net to find your favorite educational materials.  We strive to provide you with a huge selection of engaging and quality class room supplies, specialty children products, books, and industrial strength toys and furniture.

Arts and Crafts – Make time for Creativity

Arts and crafts always seem to make it into my lesson plans; however, many times the arts and crafts activities are skipped or modified because of schedule constraints.  The benefits of adding creative activities to any type of academic program are tremendous.  I firmly believe that kids need to explore the arts hands-on using many different mediums.  When kids are able to use their imagination and explore their creative side, their ability to learn in all subject areas increases.  You may be fortunate enough to teach at a school or facility that has a structured art program with additional teachers, but if you don’t, you may be responsible for planning and teaching all of your arts and crafts activities.  Here are some ideas on how to plan for and incorporate creative activities  into your existing program.  You can assess your program by units, semesters, or for the year.

1. Assess your program – Make a list of the current arts and crafts activities that you do.  You may feel that you are not doing enough creative activities, but when you take inventory, you may realize that you are doing more than you think.  On the other hand, you may really be lacking in the area of arts and crafts.
2. Choose a unit to focus on -  Pick one or two units that you thoroughly enjoy teaching and brainstorm ways to incorporate meaningful arts and crafts activities into specific lessons.
3. Research appropriate art skills to focus on for different age groups.
4. Find the materials you need for the project and make high quality examples.
5. Prepare for the lesson – Take time to organize the arts and crafts materials and spend some time teaching kids how to use the the paint, watercolor, clay, or whatever material they will be using.
6. Have fun – Let your creativity flow!

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.
For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand,
while imagination embraces the entire world,
and all there ever will be to know and understand.”
-Albert Einstein

Do you have a favorite art activity?  Please share your ideas.  We would love to hear from you!