New teacher, I cannot afford to set up my classroom…

[Anonymous]

OP, not sure if you are still reading this, but I was in your position once. Don't worry about all the decor and prizes and such - really, you don't need that stuff. But I remember being horrified when I realized that I didn't have any crayons or books. NO BOOKS. Like, not one. And the school library would only lend me a few at a time, and then I'd have to pay for anything that was lost (inevitable if you want the kids to be able to use the books).

My advice is, if you need things like crayons and books and paper, really basic things, you can probably get those for free. Parents have tons of that stuff around - I know I have at least a school library right here in my house. Most of us are happy to give it away to a good cause (versus trying to yard sale it). Try posting on facebook in a mom's group and asking for specific things, like books or crayons or craft supplies. I think people will donate a ton of stuff to you. I know in Fairfax we have several facebook grouops that would work (like Nova moms, and so on).

[Anonymous]

I hope you are no longer despairing and were able to secure supplies and furniture for your classroom, OP. There were a lot of good suggestions on this thread.

My two cents is that the quickest way to find supplies is to go to Buy Nothings in the wealthier neighborhoods in your school district and post a request. You should be able to secure bookshelves and bins this way.

Go outside your school district if you need to but my kid's teacher proudly told her class that she secured books for her classroom through Buy Nothings.

Additionally, if your school is providing you with a computer and at least one monitor, there are a lot of free online books that you can use (see flyleafpublishing.com) while you gather enough physical books for your classroom.

This takes longer but you can also reach out to private schools that are clearing out old books and see if you can take the items off their hands and you can reach out to the PTAs of schools in wealthier neighborhoods in your school district. These PTAs often allocate funds to the PTAs of Title I schools in their district.

[Anonymous]

Did you ever answer what school or school system OP? Are you local?

[Anonymous]

This thread is so sad. I have a friend who is a teacher in Australia and she never has to buy anything for her classroom.

[Anonymous]

Baltimore teacher here. I don't know where you are located but we have the Maryland Book Bank here in Baltimore. I've gotten a lot of books there for my classroom library. Also, check children's consignment stores. I would take my son's clothes there and always come out with some cheap books. GL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did you ever answer what school or school system OP? Are you local?

No she is in CO per the Amazon wish list posted before Jeff omitted it as against the rules for here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did you ever answer what school or school system OP? Are you local?

No she is in CO per the Amazon wish list posted before Jeff omitted it as against the rules for here.

Thanks for the response pp!