Wednesday, July 18, 2012

The Back-to-School Shopping Begins...

Even when I was a little girl, the smell of new crayons filled me with anticipation...


I would find myself peering into classroom windows every August--whether or not it was my school! The stacks of books, the sharpened pencils, and the shiny waxed floors always left me feeling giddy. I should have known then--rather than changing my major twelve times in college--that new crayons and shiny floors would be in my future.

I generally spend my limited back-to-school funds at two places: WalMart and Office Depot. Our school doesn't give us any funding, but there are just some things I cannot do without! WalMart has wonderful Back-to-School sales items, and Office Depot has just changed its Star Teacher purchasing policy: You can now get 10% of your purchase of school supplies back in Office Depot Rewards (Which equates, simply, to more spending money at Office Depot!) It used to be 1%... but I am really liking the sound of 10%!

So I made my first trip to WalMart this morning and I returned with several bags of treasures...


With the exception of the small purple whiteboard (I couldn't resist!) everything in the picture above was less than a dollar--most of the items were 88cents! Those mini clipboards are my favorite! I'm not sure what I am going to use them for, but I am sure that I love them!

And there were more good buys... The crayons were only 50 cents. You can often find them for 25 cents at a sale somewhere in early September, but I wanted to cross them off my list today.And I bought 36 glue sticks for 10 cents each. Colored erasers and multiplication flash cards for 88 cents each? You can't beat that price! And I just adore those cheerful magnets... They match my room perfectly!


I still had more things to buy... And while only the folders were 88 cents, the rest of these things were calling my name..


My room is purple, turquoise, hot pink, and lime. My notebooks and the white board pens have to match the decor right? And who can resist the blinged out pink calculator? I'm trying out the curtain panel to cover my supply closet this year... and I already have a lime and a turquoise panel at school. Yippee! My heart is racing!

I will posting soon about the way I organize the supplies in my classroom. But for now, I am just admiring the pretty colors and thinking about possibilities. And the smell of new crayons is making me happy!

What about you? Have you finished your shopping yet?






54 comments :

  1. OK, were we separated at birth? I went shopping today, too, to the Target Dollar bin for those COOL light bulb stress balls and I got those same jitters!! You got some awesome stuff . . . are crayons 12 cents already? I just love buying glue for 7 cents!!! Even though I don't need any glue . . . .

    Thanks for heightening that back-to-school anticipation.

    Barbara
    The Corner On Character

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    Replies
    1. Hey Barbara:
      Good shoppers think alike!
      And you never know when you MIGHT need glue...
      (That's the allure, I guess.)
      Now I have to go to Target and check out their selection...
      Thanks for sharing the JOY!

      Kim

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  2. I LOVE those mini clipboards. I am sure you will find an awesome way to use them. I may just be getting some of those myself.

    Heidi
    My (Not So) Elementary Life

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    Replies
    1. I love those clipboards, too, Heidi. They are even cuter "in person"!

      Kim

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  3. Finished?! I'm never finished shopping ;) Great finds!!
    ❤Teri
    A Cupcake for the Teacher

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    Replies
    1. Hi Teri:
      Thanks for leaving a comment. And you're right: The list may change, but the shopping is never finished!

      Kim

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  4. Love it! Those are the exact 2 stores we have here in town (Target and other fun stores are 35-40 minutes away) so I am trying to avoiding going into both for as long as I can, because I know I will spend a fortune in there! I can't resist either :)

    fourth grade fanatics

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    Replies
    1. Hi Sara:

      You're right... Avoidance is the best strategy. Once I was in there, I almost had to call Security to get me OUT!
      Good luck with your shopping...

      Kim

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  5. Good deals!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't see those magnets at my Walmart! I love them!!!!
    A Teeny Tiny Teacher

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    1. Hi Kristin:

      I only found them at ONE of the three WalMarts I visited. Why is that? Don't they know that teachers depend on consistency?!

      I'll keep my eye out for some more for YOU!

      Kim

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  6. The WalMart near me doesn't have that much to choose from and there are no multiplication cards for 88 cents...Lucky you.

    I'm going to Office Max this Friday hoping they can cut composition books in two.
    Pat

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    1. Hi Pat:
      I have wanted to go to Office Max! We get the commercials, but there are no stores close to me. Cutting those books in two is a great idea!
      Happy shopping...

      Kim

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  7. I love supply shopping too! I wish I would hurry up and get a job so I know what I can get!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Angel,
      I am sending you GOOD LUCK wishes! Hopefully you will hear soon.

      Kim

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  8. Great deal on those glue sticks! Last year we started note booking with 2 subject and this year we are going to have 4, which means I'll need TONS of glue sticks! I hope I can find a deal like that when I start shopping. Well, I've started shopping but haven't gotten the basics yet.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Lana:

      I'll have to chat with you about notebooking... Glue vs tape... bound vs spiral. I never know which to choose... and by October I am usually wishing I had made the opposite choice!

      Good luck shopping!

      Kim

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  9. OK, I don't feel quite so bad now. I spent $75.00 at Big Lots on school supplies. I teach first grade and we go through glue sticks like crazy. Big Lots had pkgs of 3 for $.24. That's the best price I've seen so far and they didn't have a limit on how many you could buy. I bought 48pkgs, do you think those will last for a while???

    Kelly @ I'm Not Your Grandpa, I'm Your Teacher

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    Replies
    1. Hi Kelly:

      I think glue sticks are an "under-rated commodity"! They disappear so quickly--and yet one day with white glue and you know why you just have to have them! I'm going back for more because I KNOW they won't last (Although 144 should get you through at least a few months!) Thanks for stopping by.

      Kim

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  10. no! not yet! haha! can't summer last a little longer:(

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    Replies
    1. I agree, Melodee! I like to but that stuff and put it away and forget about it for a while...

      Kim

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  11. Have not finished my shopping yet. And starting to panic about my room, curriculum, plans, etc because we have 3 weeks until teachers go back. And Lord knows I don't get much done when ALL of us chatty teachers are back! :)

    You got some great deals, and I'll be waiting patiently (or not) for pictures of your room! :)

    Shannon
    http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com

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    Replies
    1. Hi Shannon!
      I always acknowledge the three hour chat B2S block! Then I can finally get to work! I am so excited about your new assignment and I can't wait to read about this year's adventures...

      Kim

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  12. Wow! I am totally headed to Walmart! But really....we are supposed to be shopping already? Crazy! I am headed to Walmart:)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Annie!
      I get so worried that they will run out of stuff, I like to get it done early! Then it piles up in my living room and I get excited to take it back to school... which makes my house look much better, but my classroom is in chaos those first few days. I am so tickled you stopped by, Friend!

      Kim

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  13. Hi Kim! I've been avoiding Walmart for awhile, but I think it is time to go get some glue sticks!! You just can't beat 10 cents each and my kids go through glue sticks like candy each year. Why or why does the supply list say to only bring in 2? In what world does that work? Anyway, congrats on your haul. I can't wait to see your super coordinated room.
    Amanda
    The Teaching Thief

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    Replies
    1. Hi Amanda:
      Ten cents! That's the best deal I found! It seems like each project takes a glue stick... I think we go through at least a hundred... probably more! Hope you enjoy some shopping fun...

      Kim

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  14. I LOVE back to school shopping! It feels like our summer just began (less than a month ago!), so I have been forcing myself to resist buying any school supplies....until next week :)
    Kate
    To The Square Inch

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    1. Hi Kate:

      I know... shopping does make school feel so... around-the-corner! But I like to put away the bags and just know it's done. Sometimes I surprise myself later when I see what cute stuff I bought! Wishing you a great year...

      Kim

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  15. Our Wal Mart just started putting their stuff out - better go check before they run out of the good stuff! Thanks for the update! :)
    Cheryl
    Crayons and Curls

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    1. Hi Cheryl:
      That's how I always feel. I hate looking at the empty bins where "the good stuff" used to be!

      Kim

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  16. Hi Kim! I'm a first year teacher and want to thank you for mentioning some of the great deals you have found. It's very overwhelming and I am often times unsure on whether to buy something because it may go on sale a few weeks later. Thank you again for sharing your insight! :)

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    1. Hi Danielle:
      I have been the Queen of Returns more than once! Sometimes they just re-ring it and you don't actually have to have the stuff with you. And, often, stores like Office Depot honor other store's coupons, so you can usually win either way! Good luck with your first year...

      Kim

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  17. I am going into my second year of teaching. I am making the change from Kindergarten to 6th grade! I am so glad I found your blog!
    I also LOVE the back to school excitement of new school supplies and freshly waxed floors. I am your newest follower and can't wait to see how you get ready for the year and how you store the supplies (I am trying to decide how to do this myself...).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Allyce:
      WOW! That's a leap! I think sixth is MUCH easier than kinder!
      I'll be blogging about storage when they finally let me get into my classroom. Hope you'll check back again...

      Kim

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  18. Oh my...you have reminded me that it is never too soon to begin this shopping!

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    1. Sometimes I find myself shopping in June, Tara. I hate rushing around trying to find things at the last minute--when I really should be planning!

      Kim

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  19. You've got some great stuff there!! I guess I need to hit up Wal-Mart soon!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have fun shopping, Janaye! I had to go to three WalMarts to find everything I needed. But I'm so glad to be done!

      Kim

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  20. Kim, you got some great things! I don't need anything for next year with my new position, but I still have the urge to go buy school supplies! I'm going to live vicariously through you!!! :-)

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    1. Hi Nancy:
      I'd love to share vicarious shopping with you! FUN!

      Kim

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  21. omg! I have the same colors in my classroom and i'm obsessed with polka dots...i have to get those clipboards! I'm def making a trip to walmart! Thanks for the great find!!
    brianne
    bl3982@yahoo.com

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    Replies
    1. Hi Brianne! Out of everything I bought, those mini clipboard and the bling-ed out calculator are my favorite! Have fun getting ready...

      Kim

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  22. Hey there!

    I hope you can join me in my "Preparing for School" linky party @ {6th Grade} All-Stars

    Thanks
    Mrs. Crouse :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have to get myself organized, Mrs. Crouse... and then I'd be happy to link up!

      Kim

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  23. I love back to school shopping! but this year my funds are low so I probably won't buy much :(

    ReplyDelete
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    1. That's why the sales are so important, Christina.
      I'm trying to limit my spending too.

      Kim

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  24. It seems like I begin to obsess about getting enough supplies during this time of year. The prices are great. If I wait, I will not be able to afford it.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I went and got glue sticks 3 for 25 cents!!
    I am so excited!!
    Peggy

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  26. You definitely got some great deals. I absolutely LOVE back to school shopping! :) I absolutely love your color scheme, too.

    Sara
    Miss V's Busy Bees
    I'm having a 2-0-0 follower giveaway - come on by!

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  27. The school supply section at Walmart calls my name every summer! I love the sharp points on the crayons the best!
    Patti
    pattib203@yahoo.com
    Primary Pizzazz

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  28. Kim, I've bought items for games so far, though I have an Office Depot rewards check to spend... that is a very nice amount! I like getting extra composition books, chart paper, and Post-Its! - Victoria :)

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  29. Hi! I just stumbled across your blog! I'm so happy that I did. It's hard to find good middle school blogs! I love yours! I teach 7th grade and have recently started blogging myself.

    I plan on doing my shopping this coming weekend. It's tax free weekend in NC! Walmart's not going to know what hit it! :)

    I'm your newest follower! If you have a moment to spare, come check out my blog. I did my very 1st Monday Made It today!

    --Andi
    Mommy, Teacher, & So Much More

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  30. Great job! If it weren't for this sling that's keeping me from driving, I'd be headed for Walmart right now. I think I have to bribe my daughter to come pick me up tomorrow! I feel a shopping trip coming on!

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  31. Just found your blog.
    Wish Walmart in Canada had such great deals, especially glue! For some reason when I was in the States a few weeks ago the back to school sales seemed over. I wasn't finding as great a deals as in years past, and certainly not the glue and crayon deals. :(

    ReplyDelete

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