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Saturday, March 24, 2012

How to Transform Dollar Store Finds Into Classroom Treasures


Okay, we have all done it.  We have all gone to our local dollar or discount store and bought that item that we just could not pass up.  Who could blame us? I mean, it was only a dollar.  Today, we will look at Dollar Store finds and transform them into classroom treasures.  And yes, each item only cost me one dollar.  This post is just part one.  I will be back soon with more.

This innocent looking cutting board can make an excellent reading response paddle.

During guided reading, students can interject their ideas by holding up their paddles.



The "Magic Cube", you know the Dollar Store cousin of the Rubik's Cube, can make a great learning center for making words.  

Students turn each row and try to make a word in any direction.  The Dollar Store even sells letters too.  If you can't find them, your local craft store should have them.  For older kids, paste prefixes, suffixes, or roots onto each square.
Use the Dollar Store binders and plastic protectors to create centers.




An empty Pringles container makes a fantastic learning center.  Clothespins become manipulatives.

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5 comments:

  1. Great ideas! My Dollar Tree actually has a teacher section, so they clearly know we are in the market. I think the magic cube is my favorite!

    Jenny
    Luckeyfrog's Lilypad

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  2. Thank you! I can spend all my money at the Dollar Store.

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  3. Just started following your blog! Thanks for the ideas! I LOVE dollar tree. There's one across the street from me so I go there often! :)
    -Kristina at misskristinaskindergarten.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you! I love Dollar Tree so much too. It is very "teacher friendly".

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  4. Thank you! I am heading over to your site right now.

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