Dollar Tree Items for Your Classroom

Well, hello there! I know it's been a minute since I've posted, but it's summer now and I actually have time for myself!!! Hollaaaaah if you can relate!!! 🙌😉😄

Soooooooo...with that said, I went to Dollar Tree today and my mind was whirring with ideas as I walked through each and every aisle. Yes. EVERY aisle. That's what one does when at Dollar Tree. Go through EVERY aisle because one does not want to miss anything that could have a multitude of uses in the classroom.

Wait. Please don't tell me that I'm the only one that does this! 😲😳

NAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! I know there are others like me out there. Right?😏

Anywhoooooo!!!!! Onward to ideas I envisioned in my mind with all of the stuff I saw today.

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Item #1:



You can create a durable $1 Math Station with these miniature tower blocks! Just write a math problem on each block and assign it as a math station. Of course, you can buy more than one. Create a station for addition, subtraction, multiplication and/or division of whole numbers, decimals or integers. Whichever suits your grade level. I created a math station for my middle school classroom with a larger version that I found at a Goodwill store.

Here's a link 👉CLICK!

I grabbed a few of these and will post pics when I have them done. (Be sure to click the blue FOLLOW button on my blog page so that you will receive an alert when I post them!😉)

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Item #2:


These aren't just regular craft sticks. They are JUMBO SIZED craft sticks!!!! That means that they are PERFECT for writing on with a fine tip permanent marker. I have used these before for random name calling in my classroom. Wait! I don't think I worded that correctly. I can assure you that I don't call students names, randomly, in my classroom.😳

What I meant was, I write one student's name per craft stick and use them to keep students engaged. They don't know whose name will be chosen for the next question or who will explain next, so they are "motivated" to listen carefully during lesson.

Being a middle school math teacher, I have more than one class. So, I color code sets to help keep them organized. For example, I use a red marker to write the name of my 1st period class, blue marker for my 2nd period class, and so on. I also write the number of the class period at the bottom of the craft stick. A small plastic cup, rubber band or, my favorite, a Crystal light container with a lid can be used to house them for when you are ready to use them.

I have also used them in a few of my math stations. I'll be posting how I do this soon, so stay tuned!

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Item #3:


Acrylic Frames that only cost $1 can be used to display directions at a math station, list of expectations for a certain event, or even used to post reminders by the pencil sharpener. Just print in color or on colored paper and slip into the frame. They come in various sizes too!

I also realized that you can write on these with a dry erase marker. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?!?!?! You can type up a student list with boxes beside them to use as a check list! So you can place a basket/box where students submit their assignments and have them put a check in the box by their name when they turn it in. (Or you can do this.) This idea will definitely help keep track of who still needs to submit an assignment.

Here is an example of how I used one in my classroom. I love this quote by William Glasser and needed something to cover up all of the wires behind my computer screen, soooooo TA-DA!!!!

Here is a link for a FREE DOWNLOAD of this mini poster

👉FREE MINI POSTER

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Item #4: 



I have bought these before in the past and think that they are TERRIFIC to use for storing small items in the classroom. At 3 for $1, it's definitely a bargain and the clips on the side make it so easy for students to open and close

Playing cards fit PERFECTLY in these small containers. Dollar Tree usually has a package that includes two sets of playing cards for $1. One set has a red design on the back and the other set has a blue design. This makes it easy to sort them.

 

I'm working on a post that will show the different ways I organize and use playing cards in my classroom. Be on the lookout for that!!!😉

These can also be used to store colored counters, dice, bingo chips, and two-color counters. Ooooooh! How about task cards for stations? They also come in green and blue.

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Item #5:


I posted about an activity I've used involving Velcro and ping pong balls. Well, I saw these at Dollar Tree today and wanted to share, again. All you need is about a yard of felt fabric and a black permanent marker, plus Velcro and ping pong balls. Trust me. Your students will thank you for this one. 😊😉

Click here for that activity
👉On Target With Math

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Item #6:


I just LOVE these tiny containers! They are always available at Dollar Tree. They have them in a circular shape as well, but I prefer the rectangular ones because they are easier to stack and store.

These are just some of the ways I use them in my classroom. Perfect size for setting up with stations. My students were also pretty good at putting everything back in the container. Of course, I always told them that if we lose any pieces, we can't do math stations! I think that might have had something to do with it. 😉



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Item #7:


I also found this two pack of cute mini buckets that came with a "bonus".....a third mini bucket! All I saw was "3 for $1" and I was hooked!

Mini buckets are great to have in the classroom to use as mini "trashcans" when ever you have those group paper cutting activities. I instruct students to place all trash in the bucket and when everyone in their group is done, one group member could stand up, walk over and empty out the mini bucket in the classroom trashcan.

They can also be used to prepare items needed for the day's lesson. Store scissors, markers, rulers, pencils, etc. and have the "Materials Manager" for each group pick up the bucket when the class is ready to begin the activity. The "Material Managers" should also be responsible for making sure everything is placed back in the bucket for the next class.

These buckets can also be used to prepare items needed for the day's lesson. Store scissors, markers, rulers, pencils, etc. and have a "Materials Manager" for each group so that they can pick up the bucket when the class is ready to begin the activity. The "Materials Manager" should also be responsible for making sure supplies are placed back in the bucket so that it will be ready for the next class.

I assign groups numbers in my class, so I label my buckets with numbers. It's just easier to keep tabs of materials and buckets.

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Wow! You're still here!!!!

❤❤❤I really appreciate that!❤❤❤

Thanks so much for stopping by and reading through. I hope you find my ideas useful and I sincerely hope that you stop by again! I'm really looking forward to sharing more of my ideas with you.

Be sure to click the blue FOLLOW button on the right side of my blog page (closer to the top) so that you will be notified when I post again!!!!

Please be sure to share any ideas you have for using these items in your classroom in the comment section below! I'd love to read them and I'm sure other would too. 😊

Thanks again and have a wonderful day!!!😉