Well, I am not a first year teacher yet but in two more semesters I will be! I have zero classroom supplies right now but after reading your post I think I should try to start collecting supplies and resources now.  I haven't thought about going to a garage sale, but that is an excellent idea. Also, I have heard about edhelper.com, but I have not used it yet because there are so many websites out there which makes it hard to know which ones are reliable and which ones are not.  I think I would like to give this website a try.  It is encouraging to read about borrowing ideas because in my methods classes I struggle with wanting to always be original but if someone else has a great plan that is working I agree with you and say use it!

Each year I am surprised by the amount of money that I continue to spend for my classroom and students.  I continue to buy motivational rewards for the students or items for projects. I agree that teachers need to look every where and ask everyone for supplies.  Garage sales are an excellent place to start as well as those experienced teachers.   Teaching is a job for pack rats.  I continue catching myself looking at other people's "garbage" as my "treasure" for a future project.  This new "treasure" can save me an expense in the future.  I have become very organized and know where each "treasure" is hidden and in return can pull it out quickly.  I also find this allows me to help out other teachers that send an email out in search of items.  

I would suggest to new teachers or even experienced teachers to display a wish list for items that maybe needed throughout the year.  I have done this the past few years and have gain materials for indoor recess, lessons, and projects.

I'm almost a first year teacher and have very few supplies. I love your idea of BEG, STEAL, BORROW from all of the experienced teacher in the school. That is a great idea! When I was in school, I always thought all of my teachers came up with their creative ideas all on their own... haha how nieve I was. I plan on borrowing any idea I can from those who are already teachers. THey have tried and tested those ideas. I don't want to waste my student's time and my time with a new idea that could have the possibility to fail. Don't get me wrong, I will try new ideas, but it's always good to know some things that will work! There are so many things a first year teacher has to do before the students even come into the classroom. So, relieving the stress by borrowing some ideas is a great thing to do. Thanks for the advice!

I totally agree with Lily, why try to create all new things if there are already amazing things out there!  I have spent most of my time in school trying to come up with brilliant ideas for different lessons on my own.  Although I love when I design a lesson and materials that end up to be so successful and fun, it is alot of work.  I will not be able to design all of my activites from scratch.  I have loved finding ideas from teachers online and in classrooms where I have helped.  The lessons have been taught and changed to make them work best! Why not use those? I cannot wait to be in a school with helpful experienced teachers that will let me beg, steal, and borrow! Thanks for the advice!  

I totally agree with Lily, why try to create all new things if there are already amazing things out there!  I have spent most of my time in school trying to come up with brilliant ideas for different lessons on my own.  Although I love when I design a lesson and materials that end up to be so successful and fun, it is alot of work.  I will not be able to design all of my activites from scratch.  I have loved finding ideas from teachers online and in classrooms where I have helped.  The lessons have been taught and changed to make them work best! Why not use those? I cannot wait to be in a school with helpful experienced teachers that will let me beg, steal, and borrow! Thanks for the advice!  

I love that you are all about borrowing from other teachers! It wasn't until I started having to create lessons that I realized how much work it really is and that once I do start teaching that I will need all the help I can get.  I feel fortunate that I know many teachers at the elementary school that I attended and that they are very welcoming when I return home and have questions for them.  My third grade teacher has already shared with me a great website that I have in turn shared with many of my classmates who are working in classrooms.  I think that the great thing about borrowing from other teachers is the amount of learning I will do in my first few years teaching.  I think that I will learn important things that I would not learn just through attending my classes in college.

I love your advice about borrowing from other teachers! I am currently and undergraduate but in about a year will be teaching on my own, and the advice that you are giving is very helpful! I often think about how I need to start getting ideas for my classroom as well as supplies! I know that when I begin my first year teaching that I probably will be a little overwhelmed and lost so I probably will be asking for assitance and help on ideas for the classroom. I will definately have to try the website out! Thanks for the advice!

Alisa

This is so interesting because I am so scared that I will not have enough money for my classroom. I hear of teachers spending so much of their own money and not having enough at the end of the year. So, it is reassuring to know that I do not need to buy everything. I think it's such a great idea for the children to decorate the walls. This is free, and it makes for an interesting classroom! I love the idea of borrowing from other teachers! I know many teachers that are retiring in the next few years and I have already asked if I can have what they are going to throw or give away. Most are so happy to give to younger teachers, because they have been in my position before. I am definately going to join websites that help make things such as banners and worksheets. I am relieved knowing that I do not have to spend so much money!