Budge Cuts & Money
Budget cuts. How many times have educators heard that phrase during the past few months? And it's not done. There will be more.
So how does one make ends meet when there are no dollars available to purchase another classroom set of Lord Jim? Or a few new basketballs? Or frogs?
As the dominoes falling from the "economic downturn" move from mortgages to banks to jobs, schools are not far behind. As the cash from sales taxes and income taxes dries up, schools are left with less.
But creative educators find ways to make things happen.
Schools can benefit from online "deals" just like consumers. Did you know you can purchase used classroom supplies? Used teacher resources? Used books, textbooks and even (gently!) used workbooks?
Schools can get "free stuff" too. How about a free collection of classroom forms? Or free "Telling Time Clock" templates? Even "Bathroom Passes" can be found, free of course.
What might surprise you is the fact that your school might be in a position to not only save some money, but also make some money too.
The website where all this happens is called "Teachers pay Teachers" and has been around since 2006.
TeachersPayTeachers say they "are the world's first open marketplace where teachers buy and sell original teaching materials. It was founded in 2006 by Paul Edelman, a former NYC public school teacher."
From their website we learn their "mission is to make teachers' lives just a little easier by bringing together those who create curricula with those who are seeking fresh new approaches in the classroom. Teachers work hard and deserve extra compensation for all those hours spent lesson planning. Newer teachers and those looking for ideas can save time and leap ahead in competency by learning from veterans. We strongly believe that the ensuing exchange lifts all boats and leads to the better sharing of best practices. In the end everyone wins, especially our students."
Some examples of "deals"
- Declaration of Independence Living Blueprint Scholastic Set. (grades 5 - 12) Price $25. Sells at Scholastic, Inc for $189.
- The Writer's Craft (Teacher's Edition) (grades 7 - 8) Price $5.00
- Building Skills in Geography Student Workbooks (new, set of 10) (grades 7 - 12) Price $20
According to the TpT website, here's how it works: "On TeachersPayTeachers, you can sell original curricular materials such as lesson plans, unit plans, examinations, teaching guides, worksheets, etc. You simply upload your original files to our catalog, in one of our many supported filetypes, and then set your own prices. We take care of the sales transactions and deliver instant downloads to buyers. It's very easy! And you can now sell hard goods, too, both teacher-created and used educational materials. Selling a hard good works similarly except that you upload photos of the items instead of product files. We still handle the sale but you are responsible for shipping to the buyer after receiving an automatic email with the buyer's shipping address. The cost of shipping will be reimbursed to you when you receive your quarterly payout."
So your Language Arts Department has developed a great idea for teaching creative writing. Why not offer it for sale so other schools and teachers can benefit? That's what Mark A. from Durango, CO did.
Perhaps your Social Studies Department has created a whole set of lessons built around political cartoons. Megan M. from Liverpool, NY did and she has it listed for sale.
Mini-courses are a popular offering on this website, but so are lengthy course units. Gina O. from Baton Rouge, LA offers to sell a unit on Atomic Structure (over 100 documents and Powerpoints), for example.
Why not?
So if the English Department needs a new classroom set of Lord Jim perhaps they can raise the funds by selling their creative writing curriculum on the TpT website. And then purchase the set slightly used from the TpT website. A win-win.
PE teachers? Don't worry, this site has plenty for you too. Type the word "basketball" in their Catalog Quick Find box and take a look at the 21 results. "Baseball" gets you 41.
Their website asks you to sign up, but don't worry, like many of their listings, signing up is free. Teachers Pay Teachers - perhaps the timing is right for this idea.
Truancy Packets are here. We have completed a set of packets designed for truant students. These packets focus on the underlying causes of truancy such as peer-pressure, anxiety, self-esteem, grades, substance abuse, transportation and finances. Like our Detention and Suspension Packets, these new packets are designed to guide the student to understand the value of subscribing to the school rules and help him or her set goals to improve. Start the year of right and improve attendance from day one.
A free sample is provided at our website.
If your students become bored and act out in class, why place them in a detention room where they will become even more bored, and perhaps act out again? Give them something to do that will not only keep them active, but will help them set goals to prevent future misbehavior. The Advantage Press, Inc. publishes a number of behavior packets ready to use "right out of the box." No learning curve, no working at understanding basic theoretical concepts -- students simply read material and answer questions that can help teachers successfully manage student behavior. You are welcome to try our free samples.