I am a high school teacher. I teach 5 sections of government and history. I have 40 students in each class. I require my students to provide a comp book, 3 ring binder and paper, pencil. My school does give me a generous copy allowance so I do not have to purchase copy paper. No other supplies are provided by the district for me but I do get 125 dollars to spend in my classroom every year. What would you buy for your classroom? There seems to be a lot of interest in the issue of school supplies so I thought it would be interesting to see people's priorities in the classroom. I usually buy board markers and printer ink...what would you do?
I would buy what I needed most. As the teacher, I trust you to make the best decisions for your classroom. And hopefully, if you needed anything else, you would let me, the parent, know so I can contribute. $125 isn't much these days.
This year marks the beginning of my 14th year as a regular substitute at the one elementary where my daughter attended years ago. Subbing is something I love and it provides a mental break from my job at home which is CFO/Co-Owner of our company with my husband.
I can see in elementary where teachers spend money on items for the white board, extra writing paper, pencils, books and snacks. SO many little ones forget the daily snack and we do donate large containers of goldfish pretzels, saltines for those who forget.
I'm surprised you have to furnish your own printer ink. Ink is pretty pricey. We do have large copy allowances for worksheets, etc but ink is provided for the 2 printers located in each grade level hallway.
It sounds to me like your supply request is quite reasonable for your students. I now when my daughter was in high school, she had supplies required similar to yours but also tissues, markers, batteries and things for the classroom.
I don't know where the money would best be spent in the high school level.
Thank you for teaching. I am not cut out for high school... I love the elementary age.
Well, Queen Jane, my answer would be this:
*You* have had the experience of teaching your classes: I have not. When in doubt, I do not try to reinvent the wheel, and I guess I would say that YOU know where your money is best spent, who am I to second-guess that?
Board markers and printer ink. Everyone benefits from these items as it is for disseminating information to ALL students.
It also seems like your class supply list is very to-the-point and limited. Personally, I see nothing wrong in this case with kids helping each other out for a day or so if pencils or paper are wanting.
I assume you need the board markers and printer ink, and if you were to spend your budget differently you would have to buy these items anyway, but out of pocket. It makes sense to use your budget for the items you need and use.
I guess I'm surprised they make you buy ink for the printer, is it a personal one in your own classroom that no one else uses? If not I don't think buying ink for others to use up is right.
I suggest you wait until all the supplies are in and see what your students can afford to bring. Some of them won't be able to buy what you've asked and others will have it. You might need to supplement their supplies with that money.
I appreciate your buying your writing supplies out of this budget. I have 2 kids and their supply list each include supplies specifically for the teacher only. I can't imagine a teacher expecting her students to buy her grading pens and dry erase markers and other stuff.
I think if the teacher doesn't have a budget like yours and wants special stuff, well then that teacher needs to consider writing with chalk on the chalk board, using colored markers out of the marker bin to write on the dry erase board, and other saving actions. Windex and water remove marker from a dry erase board. There isn't any need for $7 worth of dry erase markers from each student.
As an elementary reading teacher, I use my very small budget to buy things that will benefit my students. But I don't buy school supplies (paper, pencil, markers, etc.). I focus on buying resources that will enhance my instruction--books for students to read, resource posters, professional books, resources to enhance specific lessons or themes.
My dad taught American Government for many years. He used to get a class subscription to Newsweek magazine. We had at least one assignment a week related to something in Newsweek. I know history teachers who have done simulations in the classroom to teach an historical event. When I taught 3rd grade we did a trading post simulation. I would look at buying things that can make lessons more hands-on or different from lectures.
i'm a little horrified that they give you printer paper but not the real expense, the ink. seems to me that your entire budget will get eaten up with that alone.
$125 a year is a drop in the bucket to cover supplies for 200 students for a year. i don't have any suggestions- it sounds like the finger in the dam. i hope the PTA comes through for you.
khairete
S.
