When I was teaching there was always the challenge of getting supplies for my classroom. I found that if I didn't have a plan, I went through more supplies. The bottom line is that is all costs money. So I had to get creative.
As a director I would walk into a classroom and find a full garbage can of half used construction paper and left over craft pieces. Then the teacher would hand me a list for more of these materials. I learned, and taught my staff, to recycle everything. We never threw away a scrap of construction paper, yarn, a water bottle, bottle cap, paper towel rolls, the last 3 googley eyes, and other bits and pieces.
Instead I had separate baskets ready to collect these materials in my art area. This is a great way to collect open ended art materials. You won’t use them if you toss them into the closet of no return.
One of my teachers collected cut-able materials and put them into a large tub. She attached 2 pairs of scissors with a 12 inch chain to the handles and children could cut to their hearts content. It’s amazing what children will think to do with recycled materials and a little glue.
