Super Shopping Sunday Shopping Spree!

I swear, I only went shopping for three things:

These Gator Chomp clips seen on The Learning Tree...

These Sandwich Coasters seen on The Creative Chalkboard...

And these non-fiction books seen on An Apple a Day in First Grade...

However, if you follow me on Facebook, you know this is how the shopping trip turned out...

Just a warning, if you do not want your wallet to hate you right now, do not continue reading this post! Otherwise you are most likely going to want to jump in your car and run to the nearest Target/Walmart/Dollar Tree/Christmas Tree Shop/Michaels and buy everything and yes I mean everything!

I warned you! Just saying. You can still turn around now!

Ok, alright, here we goooooo!

First stop: Walmart

I just had to go back and check out their Easter clearance. I am a big after holiday clearance shopper! I really lucked out! What I thought was supposed to be 50% off really turned out to be up to 85% off! It was fabulous! As a result, I clearly stocked up!

I kept going back and getting more Easter eggs (I took the entire box right off the shelf) because they were only 15-30 cents and you can never have too many! I bought a class set of all the sport themed ones as well as the bunnies, chicks, carrots, and frogs. The possibilities are endless!

Then I bought the themed Easter egg packs: Noah's Ark animal eggs, Dinosaur themed eggs, and Egg-U-Cational alphabet eggs for $2 each. I can just see the kids having so much fun with these!

Then I snagged a few more of the little trays and animal jars because they are perfect for centers and estimation! Cheap, cheap at only 15 cents for the trays and 85 cents for the jars. Gotta love clearance!

Next! Target! Ahhh Target, just Heaven on earth! I could spend hours in that store! I must spend an hour in the Dollar Spot alone! The Dollar Spot definitely didn't disappoint this time around!

They had the cutest little french fry containers in a pack of 6 for $1. They have a hamburger on the box but it didn't matter to me.

***Note: I went to a different Target tonight and they have French Fry containers but they are yellow and say French Fries on the front***

I am picturing making this bulletin board with them. I have had it pinned forever! It seemed like it was meant to be!

Source: bulletinboardideas.org via Kelly on Pinterest

Then they stocked up on more fun erasers! They have DICE ERASERS! How fun! They are nice and quiet too! So many uses at 6 for $1 it was a no brainer! Then I grabbed some peanut erasers for a circus theme and bone erasers for Halloween. Can't wait to put them to use! You are going to want to go grab these before they are gone!

Also in the dollar spot I grabbed a Leap Frog math book to laminate pages from, some dry erase math packs, dinosaur go fish cards that have the different dinosaur names on them so they are perfect for using as reference cards for spelling the names, old maid cards that describe different animals such as marching mouse. Finally I grabbed a book on opposites and a book that answers kid's questions about animals.

Then it was time to hit up the Easter/spring Dollar Spot clearance! Boy did I hit it big! Lots of fun prop stuff and cookie stencils that I will use for letter and word identification in text for 30 cents that was in the dollar spot last month. Then in the Easter section, I grabbed foam Easter eggs that were divided into three sections that I will use for math and literacy instruction.I also snagged some dinosaur eggs, foam butterflies, and an adorable little chick plushie.

However, there was one part about the Dollar Spot this month that really grabbed me hook line and sinker...Spring Book Sale!!!

This book sale focused on non-fiction texts which I am really trying to expand upon so I bought everything! I even had them go open a box of the books that was in the back. Yup that dedicated! I even bought the gross books because I knew the boys would go crazy over them! If you have a Target ANYWHERE near your house you need to make a trip over stat!

Then I went to The Christmas Tree Shop. Do you have those near you? They have a bunch near me and it's great for holiday themed shopping!

I picked up some Spring themed socks (50 cents) because I was once told having holiday themed socks is a requirement of being a teacher. I got some chick, bunny and Easter egg ones. Then I grabbed a place mat for $1.69 with different priced tasty treats to use for a simple money center. Then I picked up the cutest little cupcake holders that were bee, frog and turtle themed for $1.69 for a set of 6 to use for spring time sorting.

Flashback to St. Patrick's day. All their clearance was 90% off so I bought a ton! Everything was 10 to 30 cents. I got some coins, coin and clover confetti, table cloth, wind sock for ways to make ten, chair cover because that little leprechaun is too cute to pass up for 30 cents, pot of gold, and shamrock for fact families. If you have one near you I suggest you check it out!

Michael's was the next destination as an impromptu stop. I knew I could find some great Easter clearance there too!

The little bunny container was just calling my name. I am a sucker for cutesy! Then I got some cute little butterfly clothespins that can be used for self checking math centers. I also grabbed some spring cutouts for spring center counters. Then I grabbed some cup coasters for no particular reason but they were cute and cheap! Then at the checkout they have the dollar displays that always suck me in. I bought little shopping is therapy clothespins because if you haven't guessed by the shopping overload, I shop a TON! And if I say it is therapy it makes is slightly alright.

Last but certainly not least was the Dollar Tree. Seriously imagine if this store cost more than a dollar! I would be in serious trouble! I never walk out without a full cart! It is just too good in there lately!

I went in specifically for the alligator clips for greater than or less than and walked out with the entire clip display in my cart. Think I have a shopping addiction? Yup I thought so! I bought the hippo clips because in Kindergarten we do more or less with groups of pictures and I thought I could use the hippo for "Hungry Hungry Hippo" who eats the group of more objects. Then I bought the cow and pig ones because just why not? I'm sure I have a use for them with a farm unit! And the bee, frog and ladybug ones? No clue either! Maybe for clip the rhyming pairs? But those little googly eyes were just begging me to put them in my cart and take them home so I couldn't say no!

I made a wrong turn while searching for those silly little sandwich coasters and stumbled upon this little gem. Anything animal, polka dotted and themed is a must. I don't even know why I bought all this because that's a whole lot of cleaning that I expect to take place but those little smiles were too cute to pass up. I bought the large dust pan, the small dust pan with the matching sweeper brush, and polka dot containers. I did have a small victory when I turned down the matching sponges. If any of you show me something on your blog that you would use them for I will run right back and grab them though because I clearly have no willpower!

Then I found the summer section and I had a field day!

Okay this time I am TELLING you to go to the Dollar Tree because this isn't something to pass up! Especially if you have a tropical themed classroom. Those are all perfect little ten frames! Tiki mask ten frames in all different colors! And they come in a two pack so it's even better for 20 frames! They also had little Hawaiian flower ones too so obviously those had to go into the cart too!

Then I grabbed some cute little flamingo koosh ball things to use as counters, flip flop trays to use to sort by -ip or -op words (adorable right?), Flamingo and Palm tree stirrers to use as fun pointers when reading. Then I grabbed two pin wheels because I remembered a really cute little pin wheel math activity while shopping.

Source: swampfrogfirstgraders.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

The one I found isn't as cute but it will suffice! I'm sure if I find any adorable animal themed pinwheels you can bet your bottom dollar I'm all over buying it! 

So clearly I have a shopping problem. There is no denying that. I hope that I have inspired you all with some great new finds. Let me know if you have any great ideas for anything I found that I should know about. As a result of this post I realized that I really should be a personal shopper. I would be so good at that! The person who I shop for would have to be a millionaire though because clearly I know how to shop. However, I didn't spend over $100 on all these goodies so that was a major victory for me! I just know how to shop clearance sales. My Mom taught me well! Happy shopping to all my fellow shopaholics!

And don't forget to enter my 400 follower giveaway where you could win one of four prize packs including a winner's choice pack where you could do some serious TPT shopping of your own! Click on the picture to head to that post!

All green backgrounds used in this post came from: 

Dots of Fun! Designs by Tammy Ferrell

http://dotsoffun.blogspot.com

Click HERE to download the free background set.

 

It's Official - I Have a Shopping Addiction

I blame you. All of you! The bloggers who shared the best idea that I just had to run to the store and buy everything before it sold out. Because you know if you wait even an hour places like the Target Dollar Spot WILL sell out and you will spend hours looking at that great blog post thinking of what could have been....

I swear I never had a shopping problem until I discovered Pinterest and then found teacher blogging as a result. I actually despised shopping as a child. I would put up a fuss if I had to spend even more than 10 minutes in the store. Now I could spend hours in any store taking any item and thinking of a million ways I could use it in the classroom. It has become quite a problem. Just ask any family member or friend. They are /this/ close to sending me to shopaholics anonymous!

So of course when I read THIS post by Reagan, and THIS post by Kim, what do you think that I did? Well of course I got in the car and booked it to my local Walmart and Dollar store. Did I walk out there empty handed? Is that even physically possible? I can't even walk out without an empty cart if I was paid a million dollars to do so! Did I stop with just what they had shared on their blogs? Absolutely not! I kept piling it in the cart! Here are the gems that I found.

*NOTE: I am not responsible for any shopaholic tendencies that result from seeing these pictures... =)

First up, Walmart. Now I used to be solely a Target shopper. That was before Walmart got smart and started stocking up on items for teachers to use because we all know teachers are the best shoppers! 

 

First up, I just HAD to have the ten frame bunnies that Reagan ranted about. They are just the most perfect thing ever for Spring math centers! I had to pick up one in each color because I'm bad like that. 

Then I knew I couldn't pass up the adorable buckets or animal Eggs for 97 cents. I grabbed one in every design. See a trend appearing here? I have a problem! Instead of just getting one design I HAVE to get every last one. 

Then I grabbed just about every other nicknack they had: tic tac toe games (each design), frog jumpers (every color), stretchy bunnies, a set of bunny tongs (to sort pompoms), foam stickers, a sticker book, spring stamps, plastic dishes, table scatter, magnet drawing board, and a ladybug magnifying glass.

I'm telling you they have it all! The best part about Walmart is it is not as many people have re-discovered the gems that Walmart has to offer. Where the Dollar Spot at Target sells out so fast, Walmart's items stick around for a while. I'm going to head back after Easter to buy more once it goes on clearance but I have to buy it ahead of time just in case they sell out. You better "hop" to it and go grab some springy items for the classroom! 

Before heading in for the day, (did I mention it was torrential down pouring when I went shopping - nothing stops a hard core shopaholic) I stopped at the Dollar Tree. I went in with a list of 6 items. I couldn't find 2 of them and still clearly walked out with a whole lot more! 

I got a nice mix of Easter, Spring and general merchandise items here. Gotta change it up you know. I grabbed these little cones with words of praise that I plan on putting on tables that do the best work of the day as a little positive reinforcement. I also grabbed the dry erase board photo frames to practice writing CVC words. Then I grabbed some flower flyswatters because I couldn't find the cute Splat ones that Greg found HERE at Walmart. The lady said we aren't getting those in until May because apparently we don't have as many flies as Tennessee currently.

Then I got more Easter eggs. I think I have a serious problem with buying Easter eggs. They used to just have the plain colored ones when I was a child. Forget that! Now they are going crazy with the most fun designs now. I am a sucker and buy into them all! I grabbed some race car, carrot, and bunny ones. I love them all! I think I could host an Easter egg hunt for the entire country with all the ones I have bought this year!

Lastly, I got roped into all the little trinkets they had. I bought 2 different types of foam stickers, table scatter, Easter circle cut out shapes to use to identify words, bunny cupcake toppers to use to point to each word when reading, and pompoms to sort with the bunny tongs from Walmart.

Let's just re-state for the record I am not even full time in the classroom. I won't even be full time student teaching in the Spring next year. These goodies probably won't go to use for at least 2 years yet I still can't pass them up. I am going to need to rent a storage locker to store all these things pretty soon! You bloggers need to stop being so awesome and sharing the best ideas! Hopefully I won't have anything to share on Shopping Sunday this week because I did all my shopping already however if you know me, I can't stay away from the deals so I probably will be scouring the aisles to share more with you! 

Please leave me some love in the comments and let me know I am not the lone shopaholic in the group. There has to be more of you like me right?

If you haven't signed up for Educents yet, hurry up and do so today!

 The $15 gift card ends today and is being reduced to $10 on the 15th. Why miss out on a free $5 if you don't have to right? Click HERE to sign up!

Can I Ever Keep My Days Straight?

So once again here it is Monday and I missed my shopping Sunday post. Once of these days I will actually keep on track of a schedule. I have lots to share today since I missed updating you for a couple of weeks now. Here is what I have purchased lately. 

First up on the list, none other than the Target Dollar Spot! 

I have seriously fallen in love with the dollar spot this Spring! They have the cutest finds yet! First up are the gel window clings. I have them for all seasons. They are beyond cute! I love the bright colors and cheery Easter designs! Then I bought every single little bag and bucket they had. I couldn't pass up those animal faces or the super springy bucket designs. I can think of a million uses for each of those! Then I bought an adorable chick bag and some Easter boxes. I am planning on using them for phonics sorts. Add in any cute themed box and they are more willing to do work! Finally I found these little paper pails that also had the most adorable patterns. I couldn't pass one up! I think all these springtime patterns have instantly cheered me up from the winter blues. Then I grabbed some spring cookie cutters to use with the play doh centers. Finally, they had lots of really cute spring science items. I grabbed a mini bug magnifying case and three magnifying glasses. However, I plan on using those for springtime centers with the little hidden sight word pictures. I hope you also snagged these great finds! If not, get in the car and book it to your nearest Target. They are selling out f-a-s-t! 

Then I went shopping at a bunch of other stores and made some smaller purchases.

First I hit up Hobby Lobby. I am so glad they built one near me. This store has such great holiday finds and they are always on sale! I grabbed 3 different spring sets to use as counters (aren't the little fuzzy chicks adorable) as well as so magic coloring pages that I had when I was a child because art projects are always therapeutic!

Then I went to Christmas Tree Shop. They were pretty much picked over but I did find some gel cling alphabet sets for 4/$1. I picked up 6 sets to use during small group instruction and word work.

Next, I traveled to the Dollar Tree and grabbed some more St. Patrick's Day stuff. I nabbed lots of great finds for Math work stations. Next up on my list is to go back and purchase all the great finds that Kim Adsit found HERE.

Finally I hit up AC Moore because they were having their shoebox bins on sale for 75 cents each. They are great to use to store all my finds as well as make Math Work Stations. I also snagged some St. Patrick's Day coins as well as some animal themed erasers. I think I have an eraser obsession! 

When I got home I ordered the laser finger beams to use for reading on Amazon. They were only $5.50 with free shipping for 40 beams. I saw about them from another blogger and I had to have them! They were such a steal!

With the shift in Common Core to focus more on non-fiction I have been trying to bulk up my collection. However, I can never say no to a great fiction story too! I hit up Savers and had some great success! 

They are having a deal where if you spend a certain amount of money by the beginning of May you get 30% off your next purchase. This is always my favorite time to shop because 30% off is my kind of sale! That means each book is only going to cost 39 cents after the discount! Come on! Who wouldn't go crazy over that deal! I seriously suggest you take advantage of this offer!

Well that's it for my shopping! Would you believe that all this stuff it cost me less than $75! Well you better believe it did! Now that is a successful shopping trip in my opinion! I'll be back to show you these purchases in action in the classroom soon! 

Have you found any great deals lately? I'd love to hear about them in the comments below!

And don't forget to enter my giveaway for your chance to win the greatest pencil sharpener ever! 

Shake It Up Valentine Style! {Freebie}

As most of you know, I love going shopping each weekend and buying ordinary items and turning them into teaching related games and activities. Today, I am going to show you the result of an activity inspired by one of my shopping trips. 

I'm offering it up as a freebie for you all. I think it is my favorite yet! It was so much fun to make and I just love showing it in picture slides! For the activity, you can use the pieces that I used or substitute your own. Click on any of the images to download a free PDF version of this activity!  

A super fun activity called...

This activity is perfect for Valentine's day and is sure to be a fan favorite in the classroom!

Here's what you do:

I cannot wait to use this activity in the classroom as Valentine's Day nears. I know the kiddos are going to have so much fun shaking and guessing the number inside. I hope you have fun in your classroom playing too! 

I'm linking up for...

Freebielicious' Fabulicious Freebies on the First

 

Manic Monday at Classroom Freebies

and Freebie Friday at Teaching Blog Addict

Then, Rachael is having a fun game related linky party at Classroom Game Nook. Go check it out!

Shopping Sunday and Giveaway Shoutout

For my last weekend before school starts, I spent Saturday doing nothing other than shopping! I am a big retail therapy shopper! I am so lucky to be majoring in a career where you can basically buy any item and turn it into a teaching resource! 

This weekend, I hit up three stores: Lakeshore, Dollar Tree and Walmart. I skipped Target for the week because I spent about $40 in the dollar spot alone last week and I think I am on Target's most wanted list.

Lakeshore was having their science fair yesterday. It was a big hit! There were lots of littles there having so much fun learning about science through interactive hands on activities. I went straight for the free IWB/computer game. 

I got the $20 science fair game for only 29 cents. It was such a steal! I actually was able to go with a friend and pick up a second copy too. I bought some clearance train cars with numbers on them to use with counters. They didn't have the entire set but it didn't bother to me for only 29 cents!

Next, I hit up the dollar store. The dollar store has really improved with their selection of holiday items. There are so many great products that easily lend themselves to be used in the classroom. I picked up some items for Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, and Mardi Gras. 

Scratch and sniff stickers

Self-inflating balloons

Table scatter

Heart shaped boxes

 Mini St. Patrick's hats

Plastic clover dish

Tulip doilies

Mardi Gras plastic coins

I have big plans for each of these items that I can't wait to share with you soon! I will break them down into individual posts when I get to use them in the classroom!

Finally, I hit up Walmart for the last of their Christmas clearance items. I was hoping for some more snowflakes but I didn't see any. Instead, I grabbed an adorable Christmas tree container that I see many uses for! 

My favorite steals were these stickers for 10 cents, as well as adorable treat bags for 10 cents that I cannot wait to use next year for student gifts when student teaching. 

Overall, it was a very fun and successful last shopping trip! I can't wait for it all to get marked down on post-holiday clearance so I can buy even more! 

And if you are looking to do more shopping, check out Christi from Mrs. Fultz's Corner's bloggy birthday giveaway! 

 She's giving away $25 gift cards to Target and $50 gift cards to TPT! Even better, if you are looking for a blog design, Christi is giving $5 off her one of a kind pre-made blog templates which are beyond adorable! You won't want to miss out!