K12 Teacher Supplies

Teaching Supplies for Tutors

noreply@blogger.com (Cara) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:38:00 +0000

Do you have teaching supplies that help you to effectively teach the students that you tutor? When you are concentrating on certain skills to help students meet specific academic goals, the teaching supplies that you use can make a difference in how the student learns. Many times as teachers, tutors, and home school parents you are presented with an overwhelming selection of materials to use for instruction. How do you figure out what teaching supplies provide the best instruction and learning opportunities for your students? Here are some things to think about as you try to make your selections for your tutoring supplies.

Use what you have access to and supplement with similar materials - Research the program that the student is currently using in his or her classroom. Ask the student what materials they can borrow from the classroom to use during tutoring activities. If learning sight words is one of the student's goals, then buy index cards and write the words on the cards. Keep things simple and inexspensive. Maybe borrow some unifix cubes or other math manipulatives from the classroom to help with homework assignments and supplemental activities.

Use a variety of teacher resources - It is easy to find one publisher that you really love and continue to buy and use their books and products; however, you might be surprised by the ideas and lesson plans found in a different resource book. Ask your colleagues and friends for recommendations as you are searching for tutoring supplies. There are many great books designed specifically for tutoring.

Use what works best for the student - If flash cards are not helping a third grader learn her multiplication facts, try another strategy and find what does work. Even if you invest in some tutoring materials but find that they don't work for your particular student, chances are good that you can use them with another student. Organize your materials in a way that make sense to you. Hopefully you will be able to use these items for many years to come.

Great teachers and tutors add supplies and materials to their teaching toolbox all of the time. So the next time you are thinking about adding some supplies to yours, check out www.k12schoolsupplies.net!

Teacher School Supply Store - Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Cara) — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 03:43:00 +0000

When you visit the teacher school supply store and buy back to school items in August, you are not normally purchasing teacher school supplies for Spring. Even when you try to plan ahead, Spring supplies are not at the top your list. Your favorite teacher school supply store will have everything that you need to decorate your classroom. Just a few simple items will brighten up your room. Here are a few simple ideas that are both inexpensive, yet fun.

Seasonal bulletin board sets with themes such as "The Life Cycles of Plants," "Weather," or "Creepy Crawlies" are terrific ways to bring theme activities into your room. Students of all ages enjoy these themes and there are countless ways to incorporate these themes across the curriculum.

Another idea is to purchase seasonal incentive pads, stickers, and pencils. While these items are small and simple, students really appreciate a recognition for a job well done. Stickers are fun anytime, and who wouldn't enjoy getting a new decorative pencil.

You can also find amazing teacher resources that will provide you with great arts and crafts projects, creative writing assignments, and other seasonal activities. As a teacher, you are always learning new strategies and techniques that will help you be a more confident, effective teacher. Part of learning is using the resources you have available.

You as well as your students will appreciate these small little changes in your learning environment. Think about some of the ways you change the decorations in your own house as the seasons change. Spring is a time for renewal. Have some fun and think about your interests as well as your students'.

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. There are many more ways to brighten up your classroom, so check out us out today!

Home School Supplies

noreply@blogger.com (Cara) — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 04:37:00 +0000

Home school supplies are in every room of my house. Sometimes they are organized, and other times they are everywhere. As a mom to two daughters, 3 and 5, I have literacy materials, math manipulatives, and arts and crafts supplies available for any play time activity. My three year old is currently very involved in making her own books, so I make various writing materials accessible. I have collected many of my home school supplies over time. While both girls attend a part-time preschool program, I am a teacher and want to offer fun learning activities at home. It does not matter if you are homeschooling full-time or wanting to supplement your child's schooling, some basic home school supplies can inspire learning and spark your child's imagination. What are some basic home school supplies every household with young children should have? Here are some of the top home school supplies on my list.

Paper - All kinds of paper! We have construction paper, copy paper, and tag board paper. What do we use it for? I don't think that I can even list all of the ways that we use paper. My girls design masterpieces by painting, coloring, and cutting. Reuse fliers, newspapers, and mail that you have around your house and then buy some special craft paper for special projects.

Paints, crayons, and other writing tools - Again, I believe that you can never have enough of these items. Watercolors, finger paints, and markers are available in so many bold, bright colors. Just grab some paper and get started. Get creative and let your imagination go wild!

Glue - Not every project requires glue, but you can make some amazing projects with glue. My kids love to cut and create bookmarks, paper dolls, and puzzles. They use glue for all of these activities. I personally prefer glue sticks, but there are many different types of adhesives.

Where can you get all of these supplies with out leaving your house, K12 school supplies! Stop by our site today.

Childrens Books - Read Across America

noreply@blogger.com (Cara) — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 04:30:00 +0000

What are your favorite childrens books for Read Across America Day? Schools across the country will be emphasizing the importance of reading. Start selecting the childrens books that you will want to celebrate. Here are some activities that you can do in the classroom or at home to share your love for reading.

Make a bookmark - Pick your favorite childrens book character and design a fun bookmark. Do you love the classics, such as The Cat in the Hat or The Very Hungry Caterpillar? Grab some paper and cut out a green caterpillar.

Survey your friends - Take a class survey and see what books are the favorites. Pick several and read them aloud with a partner or as a class.

Write a story extension - Pick a favorite story and write an alternate ending or a sequel.

Be an illustrator - Choose your favorite part of the story and draw a picture to represent it

Write a review - Share your love for a childrens book that you enjoy with others

Invite guests to a party - Invite parents and community members into the classroom to share a read aloud

Host a book swap - Ask students and staff members to bring in books to trade

Share an original story - Readers are writers, so share one of your best stories with classmates

Have a read-a-thon - How many books can you read in a day? Decide how and when to start reading and get going. The contest could last one day or several.

These are just a few ideas you can use to celebrate reading. One of the best things about this day is discussing the importance of childrens books and how millions of children across the country are thinking about what it means to be reader. Wonderful childrens books play such an important part of our education. Pick up a book and read today!

School Teaching Supplies for Test Day

noreply@blogger.com (Cara) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 15:31:00 +0000

Do you have school teaching supplies for test day? You have been prepping since the beginning of the year and the big days are now here. Testing days can be exhausting for both the students and the teachers. Make sure that you have school teaching supplies to use for some extracurricular activities after the students take the standardized tests. You have been using your test prep materials to help prepare students, but now is a perfect time to be creative and have fun. Here are some fun school teaching supplies that you can use on testing days.

Arts and crafts - Have you been working on an interesting science or social studies unit that the kids really enjoy? If so, let the students get creative after taking a test by making a project. Art is a wonderful way to release some energy and have fun. Get some paint, chalk, or clay and get started.

Play an educational game - Whether you play a game as a class, or break into small groups, students will get the chance to interact with one another. Everyone will need that interaction after concentrating all morning. Games like Classroom Jeopardy or Bingo are likely to get your class ready to have some fun.

Mulit Media - Maybe a movie or some computer time would be enjoyable. Take time to connect a dvd to a current unit that you are teaching. Students just might need to think about something else for awhile.

Go outside and play - Nothing gets kids moving like being outside. Getting some fresh air and starting a game of basketball or football can be just what the students need to release some energy.

Whatever school teaching supplies you are looking for to help kids have fun after a long intense day of testing, you can find them at an online school teaching supply like www.k12schoolsupplies.net. We have a wide selection of supplies to meet your needs.

Physical Education Supplies

noreply@blogger.com (Cara) — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 15:24:00 +0000

Do you need physical education supplies for your classroom? Are you a physical education teacher, or are you the teacher responsible for the physical education activities in your class? Now is a great time to buy these supplies. Even if you are just looking for games and play ground equipment to add to your collection, consider these tips as you make your selection.

1. Remember that all kids in all types of school settings benefit from physical activities! You can include academic skills into many types of games. For instance, as you are teaching new vocabulary words, you can toss bean bags as the kids guess the definitions. Set up a learning obstacle course using hula hoops and cones. You can have kids review for a test or quiz and answer questions as they go through the obstacles. Many physical education activities help kids develop fine and gross motor skills as well. Make every classroom moment a learning opportunity and have fun.

2. Keep in mind that kids need a break from your normal routine! Physical education games and toys allow kids to get moving and exercise. They give students the chance to demonstrate their physical strengths. When a kid can take a soccer ball or football outside for a bit, she can release some energy and have fun.

3. Kids can develop social skills while participating in physical fitness fun. Many games give students the chance to interact with one another by taking turns, cheering each other one, and encouraging team work. Even students who don't know each other very well can become great teammates during an exciting game.

Hopefully, all of these ideas got your mind thinking about how you can integrate physical education activities into your routine. Whether you are just looking for jump ropes to add to your program or a balance beam, consider visiting www.k12schoolsupplies for your teacher supply needs.

Test Prep for your Classroom

noreply@blogger.com (Cara) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 03:56:00 +0000

Test prep activities for your classroom do not have to be tedious and boring. There are many great resources for test prep including resources guides, games, and critical thinking activities. While you have been planning for the big testing days all year long, you are most likely stepping into high gear now and really focusing on getting ready. Whether you are preparing students for statewide standardized tests, quarterly reading and math assessments, or an end of the unit quiz, preparing for the tests is a worthwhile classroom activity. One of the most important part of test taking is learning test taking strategies. Test prep activities can introduce testing taking skills like learning tips for answering multiple choice questions and open ended questions. There are also many great resources that introduce various brainstorming strategies for writing essay responses. Great test prep material does not replace quality teaching throughout the year, but the right resources can be a great springboard.

Once you choose what materials you want to use in your classroom, you need to find time to incorporate these activities into your daily routine. Most of these activities are short and easy to add to your day. Try a multiple choice practice page as a warm-up task when the students come into the classroom at the beginning of the day or after lunch. Another idea would be to add a game that focuses on test taking strategies into a center or small group activity. If you know of several students who would benefit from certain activities, pull them and work with them while the remainder of the class is doing an independent assignment. Again by concentrating on test taking skills in addition to the subjects being tested, students will gain important life-long skills.

Looking for test prep, check out www.K12schoolsupplies.net!

Valentine's Day Teacher Classroom Supplies

noreply@blogger.com (Cara) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 03:47:00 +0000

It is not too late to get the teacher classroom supplies that you need to celebrate Valentine's Day. There are great teacher classroom supplies that can help you and your class enjoy fun learning activities. Kids need a break from your normal routine. Teacher classroom supplies such as themed stickers, charts and posters, bulletin board sets, and arts & crafts can be used to teach a variety of lessons. This holiday is a perfect time to bring an alphabetizing lesson into your party time as the students pass out valentines. Simple teacher classroom supplies like writing paper and fun valentines pencils can make a writing assignment much more enjoyable. You can also sort candy and then make a graph. Consider what grade you teach, and modify your activities.

Depending on what math skills you are currently working on, there are a variety of ways you can guide students. Be creative! Provide quality instruction and have fun at the same time. During social studies read about the history of this holiday and why not read some great themed books during your literacy block.

You might also need to change your schedule if your class will be having a party. This party will most likely be different than your other classroom parties because chances are that the Halloween party involved costumes and the Christmas party was right before break. You might have more time to play games such as bingo or pass out crossword puzzles and brainteasers. Don't forget to allow time for the kids to read their special cards. In a time where emails and texting is the main source of communication between peers, encourage students to take time to enjoy a handwritten message.

Teacher School Supply

noreply@blogger.com (Cara) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 03:40:00 +0000

Visit any teacher school supply retailer and you can find great things for your home school classroom. Chances are if you are homeschooling, you are wanting to find great products, and a teacher school supply store can offer you many quality items at a reasonable price. You may be using a curriculum from a teacher school supply site that provides many of your lesson needs, but supplemental educational supplies can offer great extension activities and reinforce many of the skills you are teaching. For instance critical thinking activities can be used almost any time of the day. Brain teasers are wonderful time fillers when one student finishes an activity before another. Challenging puzzles can be a great exercise for a group of children. When kids work together, they learn how to collaborate. A teacher school supply store offers multiple levels of books and activities, so all different levels of learners can be challenged. Supplementing with additional school activities introduces your students to different learning strategies and can be a great resource for you as the teacher.

A teacher school supply retailer also has a great selection of themed incentive pads and motivational charts that help home school families focus on their learning goals. The themed related materials make learning fun and can be used for many activities. For instance, they can be helpful when establishing your school routine. They can also encourage good behavior and help students learn responsibility.

Even if you are not homeschooling full time, you may want to consider getting some of the great educational toys that many retailers offer. Puzzles, building blocks, and arts and craft supplies are all great activities for young learners. Having fun educational activities for your little ones to do after school and on weekends is a wonderful way to get your child excited about learning. Sites like www.k12schoolsupplies also sell Winther tricycles and creative play toys. The selection is incredible and will surely meet your educational supply needs. Check us out today!

Teacher Office Supplies

noreply@blogger.com (Cara) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 03:11:00 +0000

Teacher office supplies for your room can quickly add up. Most people wish that they could spend the majority their budget on bulletin board sets, charts and posters, incentive pads, and other materials. However, teacher office supplies are necessary to make a class run efficiently. Some of the most popular teacher office supplies include; highlighters, index cards, dry erase markers, and folders. Theses school supplies help one stay organized and focused. When one has the teacher office supplies that she needs, then the classroom can be a great atmosphere where exciting learning opportunities can take place. Sometimes teacher office supplies are included in school supply lists that are sent home at the beginning of the year and every student brings in several materials for the teacher. At other schools, staff members may have a community supply room where the school purchases office supplies and people are able to take what they need. Unfortunately, this system is not available in many schools across the country because district budgets are being drastically cut. Now many people are responsible for their own teacher office supplies that they may have access to in years past. This can be stressful for new and veteran teachers alike. How does one decide what are the most necessary items? Here are some questions to ask your self as you try to decide what materials you need to purchase.

What are the supplies that you use daily that make you a better teacher and enable your students to be successful? For example, maybe you love to make your own flash cards and index cards are the perfect tool for making your cards. Whatever your "go to" item is, be sure that you have that supply in your room so you can use it when ever you need to .

What is on sale and how can you use that item instead of a similar item that you are currently using? Yes, we all have our favorite brand of notebooks and dry erase markers, but have you tried out some other brands? Often times, the competitors to the products we love meet or exceed our standards. Look to see if you can find some great bargains on some new products.

Check out www.k12schoolsupplies.net for your supply needs.

Discount Teacher Supplies

noreply@blogger.com (Cara) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 05:10:00 +0000

Are discount teacher supplies hard to find? Chances are if you are teaching in a classroom or homeschool setting, you would like to find the best discount teacher supplies at a great price. With districts cutting budgets dramatically, it is more important than ever before to find teacher supplies at a discounted price. Do discount teacher supplies mean less quality products? Absolutely not. There are many ways to find discounted supplies. For example, online retailers such as K12 School Supplies specifically work to find teachers the best products and offer them at the best price. How do you find these great deals? Here are some steps that will help you.

1. Focus on items that you need - Yes, it is fun to shop for supplies that you want, or would make your job amazing, but it is practical to buy items that you actually need. As a teacher, you know what you use on a daily basis and what materials save you time and money. Make a list of those supplies and start searching for the best deal.

2. Consider any time the best time of year to purchase classroom materials - Yes, there are great bargains for teachers at the start of a new year. Teacher discount back to school sales offer great deals for many products. However, online teacher's supply stores recognize that there is no way that teachers can purchase all of the items that they need at one time. So, they offer specials throughout the year. Check back often.

3. Collaborate with your teammates - Often times there are many great deals on shipping for large orders. Whether you only need a couple of items or many, talk with your fellow teachers and work together to place an order and save money at the same time. Just like warehouse stores that offer many items in bulk, teacher supply stores can offer special teaching supplies in bulk.

Whatever your supply needs are, check out www.k12schoolsupplies.net and find just what you are looking for.

Classroom Music CD's and Instruments

noreply@blogger.com (Cara) — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 04:09:00 +0000

Classroom music should be part of every teacher's school supplies. Many schools programs include music as part of their routine; however, there are some schools where the classroom music is the only form of music education. I listen to music with my little ones on every day. There are many music CD's for kids that help create fun classroom routines. Some of my favorite CD's in the classroom help me greet the students in the morning, clean up with them throughout the day and, and say a friendly good bye to them in the afternoon. Music can calm kids while working on independent tasks. There are also many great musical products for ESL learners that help kids develop phonemic awareness and even teach math skills. Music is a wonderful way for students to learn new concepts.

Kid's instruments are a great addition to any classroom. You can use bells, drums, and rhythm sticks during whole group instruction when kids answer questions. Sometimes when you are playing a game as a class, you can have students pick an instrument to use instead of a timer. Just those little moments give kids exposure to instruments that they might not otherwise get.

I also try to incorporate classroom music books into our activities. I think that social studies is a wonderful curriculum area to spend a little bit of time exploring music from a historical perspective. Students always enjoy listening to new and old songs. I know that I love music and I enjoy learning about composers and see the value that music can play in education.

Think about ways you can include classroom music into your day. You can start out small, even by just singing a good morning song. Before you know it, you will have a great selection of music for your classroom.

School Teaching Supplies for 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Cara) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 04:58:00 +0000

School teaching supplies are items that every teacher needs. New school teaching supplies are can make your classroom a great place for learning. One can argue that as a teacher all you need is basic supplies, and you can teach just about anything. We have to remember students have a variety of learning styles that require a variety of teaching styles. Once we figure out how our students best learn, then it is up to us to find the best school teaching supplies to help them learn. Classroom environment, manipulatives, and critical thinking activities all play an important role in your classroom.

If your classroom environment is not a warm, welcoming place, then chances are your students will have difficulty learning. Classroom decorations such as posters, charts, and bulletin board sets can all help create a positive atmosphere where great learning experiences can take place. Are you looking to make some changes in your room this year? Think about getting a new motivational poster or some colorful incentive pads. Once you pick a theme or two, go with it. You and your students will enjoy learning about something new.

Manipulatives are a great addition to any room and are beneficial when teaching anything. Blocks for the creative play center, unifix cubes for math, figurines for the writing stations. Manipulatives for your classroom are a great tool to inspire learning.

Critical thinking activities are a must have for your class. No doubt you work with a variety of learners that have a wide variety of learning needs. Pick several new games or brainteasers that can be used at learning centers or as extension activities.

Take a few minutes and reflect on what you can do to make 2011 your best year teaching. Change up the decor in your room, buy some new manipulatives and critical thinking activities, and watch your room transform into a room where learning happens.

Check out www.k12schoolsupplies.com

Teachers Supply Store

noreply@blogger.com (Cara) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 05:15:00 +0000

Teachers supply store bargains can be found online. A teachers supply store offers many materials for your classroom. The benefit of finding teaching materials online at a teachers supply store is that you can find all of your favorite publishers and manufacturers in one place. No doubt that you are accustomed to top notch supplies from Carson Dellosa, Evan Moor, Frank Schaffer and Teacher Created materials. It's great when you can find all the big names and wonderful products at a teachers supply store. Sites like www.k12schoolsupplies.net are great finds. It is convenient when you need to place an order for teacher supplies like bulletin board sets teaching materials, or large purchases like area rugs for kids. Once you find a site that you like, browse the categories that are most applicable to you. There is no doubt that you will find a wide variety of the best teaching items on the market. Online shopping at a teachers supply store is convenient because it saves time and money. Don't bother visiting multiple stores to find the quality items that you are looking for. Take a couple of minutes to fill out an online order and you will get your materials in a few short days. I can't tell you how many times I have driven around town looking for special holiday art supplies or special incentive pads for my students. Now, it is more easy than ever to place orders throughout the year. Knowing you can find great deals all the time allows you to budget your money and buy the materials that you want when you want. There is not a better feeling than having the teaching resources and materials that enable you to be a more effective, confident teacher. Teaching is about sharing your knowledge and resources to maximize learning for all kids. Manufacturers realize this and want to provide the best items on the market. Check out www.k12schoolsupplies.net to find all of your teachers supply needs.

Teacher School Supplies for the New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Cara) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 05:13:00 +0000

It's a new semester, and it is time get teacher school supplies! Many people are making resolutions to get organized. Buying teacher school supplies for your classroom may be at the top of your list of things to do. Now is a great time to start going through your supplies and organizing the supplies you use, what you need to donate, and what you need to buy. I tend to be the type of person that enjoys buying organizational books, storage containers and such to organize things in, but when it comes to actually completing the tasks, I struggle. One of the reasons that I do this is because as a teacher, I feel that I can find a use for almost anything. I like to save everything I come across because I can typically find a use for it. I want to recycle everything. This gets me in a lot of trouble because quickly my extra materials become stacks of clutter.

Do kids need to learn the value of recycling materials and finding multiple uses for materials? Of course. However, students need an orderly learning environment where many meaningful learning experiences can take place. It feels extremely good to clear the clutter from your life, your house, and your classroom. Do you want to walk into a classroom everyday that is cluttered with teaching supplies and school materials? I'm sure that you don't. Try following these simple steps to clear some of your clutter, decide what teachers supplies your regularly use, and what supplies for teachers you need to buy.

1. Establish an area in your classroom where you can put items that you no longer use. Take five minutes every day to go through a cabinet or a drawer. Maybe start with your crafts and art cabinet. While you are doing this group the items you use most often and make sure you have a functional place to store them.

2. As you are going through your materials, mark down supplies that you would like to purchase. A wish list is a great way to stay motivated.

3. Donate materials that you no longer use. This is such an important step, but it can be challenging as well. Hopefully you are part of a supportive school community that values sharing and collaboration. Find a new teacher in your school community. Chances are that they will be very grateful for any extra teaching materials that you may have.

Discount Teacher Supply Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Cara) — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 03:43:00 +0000

Are you looking for a discount teacher supply deal? Well, it is the time of year to find bargains. Many people are rushing around trying to finish their Christmas shopping. Some retail stores are offering deep discounts store wide. Are you a teacher, have a relative or a friend who is a teacher and will be going back to class after winter break? Stock up on some essential classroom supplies by shopping at a discount teacher supply site like www.k12schoolsupplies.net. Winter break provides teachers the opportunity to relax and prepare for the upcoming second half of the year. I spend the most of my vacation spending time with family, reading, and just taking a break, but I also like to spend a day or two mentally preparing and physically getting ready to go back into the classroom. If I have time over break, I read educational resources that motivate me to me a more effective educator.

I like to use my classroom budget on consumable teaching supplies, but I always use a small amount mid-year to invest in some classroom materials that will help me teach an upcoming unit. I like to buy my supplies at a discount teacher supply store because I know that I can get the items for a great price. The supplies that I buy with my classroom budget stay at the school where I am teaching. I find that I use my personal money on teaching supplies that help me personally or that I plan on taking with me where ever I decide to teach.

When buying discounted educational materials, I find that mid-year sales almost meet or beat back-to-school sales. It is the perfect time to stock up on name plates, bulletin board sets, incentive pads, and numerous other items that you use throughout the year.

So, when you begin to look for deals this holiday season, think about what your teaching material needs are and consider visiting www.k12schoolsupplies.com.

Teacher School Supplies

noreply@blogger.com (Cara) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 03:30:00 +0000

Buying teacher school supplies can be quite costly and time consuming. Many school budgets are shrinking and teachers are now responsible for providing high quality classroom instruction as well as supplying many teacher school supplies for their classrooms. This school year is almost halfway over for many classes across the country. That means that many teachers are trying to plan for the remainder of the year. Teachers want to replenish their teacher school supplies. Here are some of the top items that teachers will be purchasing as they start off the second half of the year.

1. Consumable school supplies - Items such as pens, dry erase markers, post-it notes, glue, and paper are all materials that are used daily and can be ordered in bulk.

2. Bulletin board sets - Winter break is a great time to rearrange your classroom and decorate your bulletin boards. Think of ways to change things and introduce new units.

3. Test prep - Most standardized tests take place during the second half of the year. Pick up some new test prep teaching materials and get ready for that big test day.

4. Childrens books - Quality reading material and high interest stories are great teaching tools for any classroom. Pick several new books every couple of months to buy.

5. Charts and Posters - Do you know what science and social studies units are coming up? Take some time to find a couple of charts and posters to accompany your upcoming units.

6. Flash cards - Flash cards can be used for so many different activities like centers and whole group games. They are an inexpensive teaching tool that make learning fun and interactive.

If you keep inventory of these materials and need to purchase more, then it is very easy to check out online discount teacher supply stores like www.k12schoolsupplies.net and buy what you need.

Teaching Supply Stores

noreply@blogger.com (Cara) — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 03:49:00 +0000

Teaching supply stores have a wide selection of educational toys and games for all grade. Teaching supply stores are a great place to look as you are shopping for holiday presents. Parents and grandparents can find toys for their kids and teachers can find gifts for students and teammates. If you are looking for that special teaching supply gift for your secret Santa, visit an online school teaching supplies store to find office materials, books, or the perfect item for their home or classroom.

One of the benefits that a teacher's supply store has over other types of stores is that it provides many educational versions of toys that you can find at other stores. Bingo is always a fun game to play with kids. While you can find many different versions of the game bingo, you can find bingo that helps teach particular phonics or numeracy skills at a school supply store.

Is your co-worker a seasoned teacher who has everything that she needs? Classroom office supplies and other consumable teaching materials can be a great gift. As teacher's budgets continually are shrinking, it is helpful to get supplies that one might otherwise purchase out of their own personal budget.

There are so many great manufacturers that have put tremendous thought and consideration into their products and have designed them with your child in mind. Whether you are buying something for Christmas, a birthday, or any other special occasion, check out these types of stores. Parents, grandparents, and childcare providers, I think that the teacher supplies store is one of the best places to buy presents for almost any occasion.

If you are in the market for some great toys, games, and other fun teaching material, check out www.k12schoolsupplies.net.

Math Essentials for your Classroom

noreply@blogger.com (Cara) — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 03:37:00 +0000

Math is one of the most important subjects areas, but math can be one of the most challenging subjects to teach. There is overwhelming evidence of this as we study standardized test scores from around the world. I saw a news segment tonight that was discussing the PISA, Program for International Student Assessment. The exam was given to 15- year-old students from around the world. The US came in 24th in Math with Shanghai coming in first in reading, math, and science. Education seems to be a hot topic right now. How can the US work to reform schools and create programs that create successful students? There are many important topics being raised; however, change starts in your room. I want to reflect on what teachers are currently doing to effectively teach math. There are always going to be new strategies and methods for teaching math; but we can't throw out everything. There are some great math activities that are working for our students today.

Developing a strong number sense is crucial. With out spending a great deal of time teaching number sense, students can develop a strong foundation with all other math concepts are based on. Use manipulatives, play number games, count everyday objects, and take advantage of calendar time. All of these activities give kids the opportunity to work with numbers and develop numbers sense.

Time, money, and measurement are all also math concepts that should be taught early and often. The more young students are exposed to these important mathematical concepts, the better they can succeed. Practice is a key component to a strong program. Worksheets that provide repeated practice have there place. There should also time to work on problem solving skills as well as critical thinking activities. While there are many strong programs, I think that supplemental materials are key. As a classroom teacher, you know what your students need to practice. Find the supplies that you need to teach the most important concepts.

Educational Toys for Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Cara) — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 04:31:00 +0000

Educational toys make amazing gifts! If you are looking for the perfect toy that will engage the kids in your life and provide great learning experiences, check out some of this year's hot educational toys. This year I am buying Christmas presents for my nieces and nephews ranging in age from 6 weeks to 15. As a teacher, I always start looking for educational toys before I look at anything else. Here are some of the great educational toys that I plan to purchase this year.

Infants - Rattles, balls, and puzzles are wonderful educational toys for this age group. Babies can never have too many. An abacus rattle can sooth sore gums and then be used to teach early counting skills.

Toddlers - Blocks, puzzles, and dolls can introduce the toddler in your life to the terrific world of building and independent play. This age group can spend many hours building a tower with blocks only to knock it down and then build it up again.

Preschoolers - Ready, set, play. Play furniture, play food and costumes will spark a child's imagination and allow for them to explore creative play and be entertained for hours. Whether the preschoolers decide to play house, school, or be characters in a far away fairyland, props and educational toys will make the play experience come to life.

Early Elementary age -This age group is anxious to explore the world of science, so Steve Spangler science educational toys are great. Making instant snowballs and growing crystals let kids experience the wonder of the natural world.

Upper Elementary age - Critical thinking activities and brainteasers are perfect for this age. Kids this age enjoy challenges and are excited to apply what they are learning in school to real life situations. Brainteasers give kids the opportunity to work independently and complete tasks.

It may just be the educator in me that wants to give the gift of learning. The little ones on your list this year (and their parents) will appreciate the time and thought you put into getting educational toys. Happy shopping!

Lesson Plans for the Holiday Season

noreply@blogger.com (Cara) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 04:27:00 +0000

Lesson plans are an important part of every educator's day. Some of you may plan every day, while others of you plan your lessons ahead of time. What ever your lesson planning strategy may be, it can be challenging at certain times of the year. I know for myself, I struggle around the Winter holidays. One reason that I find this time challenging is that I want to stay focused on my curriculum map, but I also want to fit in some fun holiday activities without getting completely off track.

In my seond grade classroom, the students catch the excitement of the season early. As soon as the kids come back from Thanksgiving break, they are ready to share their wish lists and all of their scheduled holiday happenings. I must admit that it is easy for me to jump right in and be distracted by seasonal events and activities, as well.

Several years ago my administrator and I had a conversation on ways to include holiday activities into my lesson plans but still focus on teaching the standards. She mentioned a couple of ideas. First, you can adapt many activities to fit your lesson plan needs. For instance, if you are currently teaching a unit on subtraction and find a great snowman activity, then incorporate subtraction examples into the lesson. You may need to change it a bit, but that is what great educators do.

The next point that she emphasized was that you can always use seasonal activities as extensions and homework assignments. Let's say you want to decorate a paper gingerbread man because you read the story for a literacy activity. First finish your lesson that meets the standards, and if time allows have students do the extra project. If not, send it home with students.

Lastly, have fun and make use of your down time. There are times of the year that are busy for everyone. Once you find some great lessons that you and your students enjoy, write them into your lesson plan book and highlight them for next year.

Encouraging Creative Play

noreply@blogger.com (Cara) — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Creative play is one of the most important components of learning in an early childhood classroom. The more I work with young children and teach my own preschoolers, I understand how critical it is to make time for creative play. Not only does creative play facilitate wonderful learning experiences, it teaches children how to use their imagination. When given the choice of watching tv or playing with toys, my little ones almost always choose to play with their educational toys. It is not always easy to incorporate creative play into your routine in your classroom or at home. Here are some ways that I try to get my little ones to learn something new everyday.

Select toys with a purpose - Kids love to role play. From birth kids are watching their parents cook, clean, and do everyday tasks. When selecting toys to encourage creative play, think about what your children enjoy. For example, from an early age my kids love watching and helping me cook. Cooking toys give kids the opportunity to role play. There are many other toys designed to encourage different types of role play such as play cash registers, costumes, and play furniture.
Play and walk away - I love to participate with my kids during their activities, but I can't always time long periods of time to play. When I know I can't pretend to be the librarian for an extended amount of time, I will briefly help start the play scenario and then go to work on another task. This has also helped my little ones gain independence and allows me time to get things done.
Mix things up - I am guilty of not rotating toys and rearranging thing. Kids enjoy exploring and playing with new toys. Even toys that kids are familiar with can be like new again if they are reintroduced or are presented in a newway.

However you can incorporate creative play into your day is great!

Educational Toys for Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Cara) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 04:49:00 +0000

Educational toys are definitely a popular pick for presents this holiday season. There are some wonderful educational toys designed to spark your child's imagination and provide quality learning opportunities. Electronical toys are great, but I believe that children need the opportunity to play with traditional educational toys such as blocks, Legos, and checkers.

The other day I was playing doll house with my five-year-old daughter. She wanted the dollhouse characters to have a birthday party. We made the birthday cake out of construction paper, and cut decorations out of gift wrapping paper. She realized that there was not a table for the house. I told her that she might be able to buy a table for the doll house after Christmas. She proudly said, "No, Mom. I will just create one out of blocks. We don't need to buy one."

I share this story because she loves to create things and use her imagination. Honestly, she really doesn't know how to play video games and doesn't really enjoy them. There will be many opportunities to catch up on the latest technological advance soon enough. For now, I want her to be creative and use her imagination. Educational games give children the opportunity to do just that. With busy schedules and many structured activities for kids today, they often don't get an opportunity to enjoy unstructured play time.

If you are giving a special gift to a child this holiday season, I would encourage you to consider finding an educational toy that promotes imaginative play. It's a gift that's priceless and will create many great childhood memories.

Still need some ideas? Here are several more great educational toys: Play food, train sets, science experiment kits, and puzzles. Check out www.k12schoolsupplies for a wide selection of educational toys.

Teaching Supplies on your Wish List?

noreply@blogger.com (Cara) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 22:12:00 +0000

Are teaching supplies on your wish list for Christmas? Since all of my friends and family know that I am a teacher, I hint for teaching supplies. It is the perfect time of year to stock up on teaching supplies for the second semester. We always have a teacher work day after break, and getting several new things always helps me get settled for the second half of the year. There may be several teaching supplies that you may have wanted at the beginning of the year and didn't get. Around this time of year you may be getting gift certificates from students, PTA boards, and community members. My daughter's elementary school collects donations from families for each teacher prior to Christmas. Usually we divide the funds and give each teacher a gift certificate and then a small cash gift. The school community recognizes that teachers spend a significant amount of their own money on supplies and would like to help. There are several things that are great to buy this time of year!

Educational Games - I can never have too many educational games. Games provide students the opportunity to exercise social and academic skills in a fun manner. There are a variety of games designed to review math, language arts, and science skills. Quiz games, card games, and board games present learning in a fun, innovative way.

Furniture & Equipment - Do you need a new area Rug for the Kids? It just might be time to get that new alphabet carpet. If you receive a gift certificate for teaching supplies, think about getting something you need that you might not otherwise purchase on your own.

Storage supplies - I tend to focus on buying necessary supplies at the beginning of the year. Often times I don't buy the storage materials that would help me organize my new materials. This is a super time of year to purchase storage supplies.

If you haven't already thought about what teaching supplies are on your wish list for Christmas this year, visit K12School Supplies today.

Arts and Crafts for this Holiday Season

noreply@blogger.com (Cara) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 15:48:00 +0000

Arts and crafts can add fun to any holiday celebration. The holiday season is fast approaching and every year, I look for for special arts and crafts projects for my students to complete. There are many great winter and seasonal activities that kids of all ages can do by themselves or with adult supervision. In my classroom we do many different projects over the course of the year, but I like to make the seasonal/holiday crafts special. Often times an ornament or holiday project will be kept as a family memento.

Since the students get their fall pictures taken at the start of the year, I try to include them in at least one holiday art project. Some years I have had students include their school pictures on the front of their Thanksgiving books, or I will use on a snowflake Christmas ornament.

While it can be challenging to include these activities during the instructional day, I believe that kids need the opportunity to color, cut, and paste. So, I might add several projects to the language arts centers, or give the kids a chance to work on arts and crafts activities when they have completed their work. When you decide what projects you want to do, you can determine when would be the most appropriate time to work on them.

Another opportunity to include seasonal arts and crafts projects is during classroom parties. We typically have a Halloween party, a Thanksgiving feast, Christmas party, and Valentine's party. We usually include an art project for a party activity. We might make a hand-print bat for Halloween, a pine cone turkey for Thanksgiving, and a snowflake ornament for Christmas.

Do you have seasonal or holiday arts and crafts projects that you enjoy doing with your students? As always, we would love to hear your comments.