Cheap Supplies for Teachers

Great teaching supplies can be inexpensive.

Teachers use a variety of supplies that aid student learning. Not all of these supplies are standard but instead are everyday items found at ordinary stores. Inventory what your school provides, ask if the school budgets for supplies and only then use your personal money. Think creatively and smartly to find cheap supplies.

Office Stores

Office stores have the most common supplies like glue, tape, stickers, index cards, lined paper, tacks, scissors, rulers, crayons and markers at deep discounts.

If you need large supplies, such as bulletin boards, laminating machines, electronic hole punchers or computer accessories, ask the store manager about demonstration models or returned merchandise. Many stores also offer discounts during back-to-school sales or specifically for teachers.

Craft Stores

Craft stores offer supplies for teachers to decorate the classroom and supplies for student work. Scrapbook paper and poster board come in a variety of colors, designs and thickness. Other inexpensive supplies include glitter, beads, yarn, modeling clay, paint and paintbrushes.

Look for discontinued bolts of material or remnants of material, lace and ribbon. Craft stores normally have broken products. Ask the store manager if she will sell damaged goods at a low price.

Supercenters

Supercenters carry toothpicks, paper bags, cotton and plastic plates, cups and containers --- all standard fare for art projects.

Teachers use food in their teaching, normally for science experiments. Adding water, food dye, corn syrup and oil to empty bottles creates tornadoes or swamps. Placing dry beans between two paper plates and stapling makes a maraca.

Specialized craft and art tools can be expensive, so look at different areas. For instance, buy heart shaped cookie cutters after Valentine's Day for tracing. Stock up on table confetti, tinsel and fake snow in January for next year's holiday creations. Shop during the summer for outdoor gear such as buckets, sidewalk chalk and bubbles. Find great deals on greeting cards after most holidays --- these are made of nice paper and have colorful pictures.

Teacher Stores

Teacher stores have wonderful products, but they can be expensive. During August and December, teachers purchase products as new semesters begin. Shop at teacher stores during slow periods. Some teacher stores carry used merchandise that retired teachers sell back to them. Snag great deals in this area.

Teachers will find the greatest variety with online teacher stores, but look in the discontinued section for cheap teacher supplies. Some offer discounts for bulk orders, so pool with coworkers for a better deal.

References

• Scholastic: Beginning Teaching Supplies