Reasons the Dollar Tree is My Friend (Part 2)

Hurrah for summer! With at least a little more time on my hands than usual, it’s a good time to think about classroom crafts and organization. And that, for me, means a trip to the good ol’ Dollar Tree. I decided to take pictures while I was there of things I use in my classroom. It’s amazing how many of my favorite things come from the dollar store! Man, I love Dollar Tree. (I love it so much this isn’t my first post about dollar store loot. See part one here.)

  

 

Tubs, baskets, and containers

I love these things! This is, in my opinion, my favorite category of things at the Dollar Tree. I see no reason to pay $5 for a simple plastic basket when there are great ones for a buck! There are so many things to organize in a classroom, and so many options to help you get it done. I like using the larger tubs with lids to hold stations. Mid-size tubs are used to store manipulatives so I can find them easily, and small tubs are used to store a small amount of manipulatives (like rhythm dice or flash cards) within a station tub. I used to use plastic bags for everything, but kids tend to destroy them quickly if they are in a station. Baskets are great for use in a classroom library, and shower caddies are handy for storing materials for group work. All of my non-pitched percussion instruments are stored in baskets from Dollar Tree, as well.

Splash Ring

Summer is the best time to buy them, and they make great drums.

Foam Counting Blocks

Music dice are a great summer craft project. I have rhythm dice for every grade, as well as pentatonic dice (do is on there twice). They are great for chance music, identification games, and stations. Rhythm dice are featured in this post about rhythm manipulatives, if you would like more ideas.

Reusable Dry Erase Pockets

Thicker than plastic sleeves, these last longer and are built to better withstand the abuse of being in the hands of a 7-year-old. If your copy budget is stretched thin, these can come in very handy.

Puppets

I love dollar store puppets because I then feel no panic about letting kids lead singing games that involve them. They love the opportunity to use the puppet, so I usually let the child have a turn after they solo sing. Even my shy kiddos are more likely to open up if they get to walk around with a lion on their hand afterwards.

Magnetic Classroom Spinner

I’ve seen all these fancy tempo and dynamic spinners on Pinterest that take skills and time to make or money to buy… write a simple one on your magnetic whiteboard, add one of these babies and BOOM. Instant spinner.

Self-stick Flags

I like to color code mine in my favorite resources so I can easily find primary and intermediate songs. It’s less messy than the “use a ripped-up post-it” method I used to favor.

Craft Sticks

Color code them for a quick multiple response strategy (“If you hear a largo tempo put up a blue stick, if you hear an allegro tempo put up a green stick,” etc.) or use them as representative notation for rhythm, as seen here.

Foam Stickers

These things are GOLD. Easy and simple rewards that go a long way!

Wands

Wands are another great manipulative for solo singing, and one that can be customized to fit the activity. One of the first Kinder solo singing exercises we do is to sing our wishes to a wishing wand. It’s a challenge to find one that isn’t too girly. I might have to go back and get the dinosaur one, it cracked me up!

Pinwheels

When teaching recorder, I give kids a pinwheel and tell them to blow. They go crazy. Then we work on slowing down the air. The pinwheel is a good visual, and as a bonus it doesn’t squeak!

That leads to the last must-have item from the Dollar Tree…

Just kidding. Those recorders are TERRIBLE. The jump ropes can be good for vocal exploration, though. Just lay them on the floor and have kids follow the contour with their voice. I’ve also paired that activity with the book The Squiggle. 

Have fun at the dollar store!