Last summer, I spoke with so many teachers who had gotten pink-slipped. They all had thousands and thousands of dollars’ worth of learning materials stored away in their garages—materials they had purchased themselves. Some of those teachers were unable to find jobs again or changed careers altogether; of the ones who were lucky enough to find new employment, some were unable to get the same placement or grade level as before and had to go out and buy all new stuff. Granted, most districts supply their teachers with money to help them supplement curriculum materials, but the budgets aren’t necessarily huge and sometimes teachers are forced to go way out of their way and wallet to get materials that their students really need.
I’m usually one of those teachers who jump at a new learning game or book that will help my students. But lately, I find myself walking around the learning store just long enough to convince myself that I can actually make half the materials or just teach the subject a different way, so I will put the items back on the shelf.
The uncertainty so many of us have been carrying around day-in and day-out has sparked conservation on every level. I’ve made lists that span from how I can stretch a single learning tool for as many tasks as possible, to how I can keep from buying more books and make the ones I have last longer and be more functional. When I arrived at my new classroom last fall, I discovered the teacher before me had torn her workbooks apart and kept the pages in page protectors somewhat cataloged in binders. I found that this method not only keeps the pages nice and makes for easy copying, but because the workbooks are dissected, I use them so much more frequently than I would if they were just on a shelf. It was a lesson in really making my books work for me. While that has helped me stretch my existing books, I have also been making a lot of my own worksheets, data sheets, and planners to keep from buying new, expensive workbooks.
While this conserving mentality has helped me keep my sanity, it has also changed how I teach and how I feel when I am teaching. I think all of this extra time spent creating and planning has drawn me a little closer to what I am teaching. I feel so much more in control of how we are learning, even though I am still following the same guidelines and standards that I always have. I can catalog my own lessons that correspond closely to our textbooks, but still feel like I am tailoring the lessons for my students.
It’s not like this is the first time I’ve ever created a task, but really I think it’s the consistent making of worksheets and activities for each subject that has changed the way I view our curriculum. I have “go-to” books for certain subjects, and I know what the worksheets look like and how I can use them, but when I am making my own worksheets to teach a concept I’ve gone over a hundred times before, it makes me think about it like it’s the first time I taught it. I may even be putting the same old graph or information on the paper, but I enjoy considering how I can creatively present it and make the pages and information work around the lesson. In some ways I prefer this to planning a lesson around how I am going to break down and present an already-made worksheet.
Even with the pending budget cuts, there is still so much to be enjoyed and created to take my mind off of the stress and uncertainty. It’s hard to be a teacher sometimes, especially when I am constantly feeling insecure. But I feel like the growth and experiences I’ve gone through so far this year have made it all very much worthwhile.
The uncertainty so many of us have been carrying around day-in and day-out has sparked conservation on every level. I’ve made lists that span from how I can stretch a single learning tool for as many tasks as possible, to how I can keep from buying more books and make the ones I have last longer and be more functional. When I arrived at my new classroom last fall, I discovered the teacher before me had torn her workbooks apart and kept the pages in page protectors somewhat cataloged in binders. I found that this method not only keeps the pages nice and makes for easy copying, but because the workbooks are dissected, I use them so much more frequently than I would if they were just on a shelf. It was a lesson in really making my books work for me. While that has helped me stretch my existing books, I have also been making a lot of my own worksheets, data sheets, and planners to keep from buying new, expensive workbooks.
While this conserving mentality has helped me keep my sanity, it has also changed how I teach and how I feel when I am teaching. I think all of this extra time spent creating and planning has drawn me a little closer to what I am teaching. I feel so much more in control of how we are learning, even though I am still following the same guidelines and standards that I always have. I can catalog my own lessons that correspond closely to our textbooks, but still feel like I am tailoring the lessons for my students.
It’s not like this is the first time I’ve ever created a task, but really I think it’s the consistent making of worksheets and activities for each subject that has changed the way I view our curriculum. I have “go-to” books for certain subjects, and I know what the worksheets look like and how I can use them, but when I am making my own worksheets to teach a concept I’ve gone over a hundred times before, it makes me think about it like it’s the first time I taught it. I may even be putting the same old graph or information on the paper, but I enjoy considering how I can creatively present it and make the pages and information work around the lesson. In some ways I prefer this to planning a lesson around how I am going to break down and present an already-made worksheet.
Even with the pending budget cuts, there is still so much to be enjoyed and created to take my mind off of the stress and uncertainty. It’s hard to be a teacher sometimes, especially when I am constantly feeling insecure. But I feel like the growth and experiences I’ve gone through so far this year have made it all very much worthwhile.
I am just finishing my second special education license. I have not started teaching yet, so it is very intimidating to come into the teaching field with so many budget cuts and layoffs. I don't know if it's worse for me to come into the field with no money or materials and starting from scratch, or for you to start with more and be cut down. Either way, budget cuts are unfair and hard to deal with. I love finding new ideas on how to save money. Putting any sheets in page protectors will keep things neat and organized. I have also seen page protectors used so students can write with whiteboard markers on them.
Posted by: Kaylee | September 17, 2012 at 08:55 AM
Jennifer,
I am a special education teacher, and I am always looking for new ideas to use that cost little of no money. With the growing budget cuts, and little special education funing I am constantly looking for ways to make new materials. I am glad to see that you are innovating more and that you are not letting these trying times get you down. I feel that you students are very lucky to have a passionate teachers like yourself.
Posted by: Cassie Rush | June 06, 2011 at 02:42 PM
You seem to be so dedicated to you students and their learning! I love the ideas that you have given about saving money and just as important time!
Posted by: Cassie Rush | June 06, 2011 at 02:07 PM
I enjoyed your article; it seems like you're managing to make lemonade from lemons. Furthermore your resourcefulness is motivating. Thanks.
Posted by: Bill | February 15, 2010 at 03:42 PM
Thank you all for your supportive comments! I am very proud of our profession, and I love being connected with others who are just as passionate and are spreading that passion and uplifting outlook. If there has ever been a situation or time when good teachers are VERY needed, it is now. Keep up the good work :)
Posted by: Jennifer | February 14, 2010 at 12:12 AM
I often go through the same kind of situation every time that I go to a teaching supply store as well. However, a veteran teacher at school told me something that will stick with me forever - "if it is something that they can make, don't buy it because it will have much mor meaning to the students if they took part in creating it." I have always stuck to this manta, and I cannot tel you the last time that I actually purchased any kind of chart. The students help me create the charts and this way, they remember the information better. I have also had them make our Shared Reading books and bulletin board boarders too!
Posted by: Stephanie | February 11, 2010 at 10:54 AM
I agree with your concerns about spending.
I am a first year teacher and have to watch what I spend in the classroom. I also make many of the worksheets and activities for my lessons. This saves a lot of money. I also make books or files for all of my lessons so that I can use them next year.
Posted by: K Faircloth | February 10, 2010 at 07:29 PM
Hello,
I really enjoyed your comments on budget cuts. Even with the pending budget cuts, i feel that there is more to be enjoyed and programs that need to be implemented. I know that everyone is scared but we have to trust that everything will turn out alright. As a 1st year teacher, it has been very scarey and an uneasy feeling, but we have to have confidence that the cuts will not be as bad as they say.
Posted by: Tonya Tripp | February 10, 2010 at 06:15 PM
Hi Jennifer,
I really enjoyed reading every word of your blog on "A Byproduct of Budget Cuts". I love my job and I am currently teaching the Blind and Visually Impaired Students. I am experiencing the same thing in our school district. I have always heard that misery love company, well it made me feel a little better to read and see that I am not the only one having some serious budget problems in school. I am not a new teacher but the budget cuts are making me a nervous wreck. Our district just cut five of our main Special Education Supervisors that I had been working with for more than seven years. Not only that but the supplemental material that they provided last year, the budget is zero this year. I am finding myself cutting back tremendously on the things my students really need to. Lately, I have been purchasing classroom material with my own money, from Good Will, Wal-Mart, checking for sales, and trying to find some free items on the different websites (American Printing House for the Blind, Criag List and Amazon.com).
Posted by: Mary Perry | February 10, 2010 at 03:46 PM
Your positive attitude is very uplifting!! I work in a district where we have been furloughed 6 days and have had to endure county supplement pay-cuts as well. It is nice to read that someone can still have a positive attitude through these uncertain times. I need to hear these types of things so I can find things to be grateful for instead of being negative.
Posted by: Kristin | February 10, 2010 at 02:19 PM
I enjoyed reading your blog. We really do have to find good, engaging, hands-on ways to teach and make learning fun; while also considering spending and saving.
The workbooks in page protectors is definitely a positive thing to see, especially knowing you will be more apt to use those resources then. I think it's amazing how sometimes we have workbooks that just sit there. I use this idea too and sometimes even have the students work on the worksheets with the page protectors. They seem to enjoy that too. Using the dry erase markers, they have some fun, they are still doing a task you can assess, and you dont have to make copies. You could do something like this as centers even.
Posted by: kristina | February 05, 2010 at 07:00 PM
Your students are so fortunate to have you! That you care so deeply and are so dedicated is truly a gift to them. You should be proud of yourself and your profession!
Posted by: laurie | February 03, 2010 at 10:06 AM