Seat Sack Update

Recently I wrote about how I love my seat sacks but they only last a couple of years @http://luvtoeduc8.blogspot.com/2011/05/seat-sack-feedback-please.html.  I felt that the nylon seats lasted longer than the twill or cotton seatsacks, but I just couldn't find the nylon ones anywhere.  SO...I decided to call the company.  One of their owners told me that they discontinued the nylon seatsacks because they had problems with the material fraying.  We discussed how the cotton seat sacks wear out on the top where the material sits against the chair.  At $10.00 a seatsack (which comes out of my own pocket) it hard to justify buying new ones every year to replace the worn out ones.  She then told me that she had a little secret to share with me; they are about to reveal a new improved seat sack.  The new seat sack will have the same fabric but with a protective shiny layer over it to make it more durable and easy to clean.  She kept my number and promised to contact me when these become available.  She also said to get on their email list or like their facebook site to take advantage of special pricing that they offer teachers.  

What I've learned!

Life in Special education is having a linky party on "What I've learned this year."  


Well...I've learned that you get what you pay for.  I have been dragging my heels when it comes to buying a good rug for my classroom.  The good ones are soooo expensive!   I actually bought two rugs early this school year.  The first one was a large remnant, but it started to fray terribly on the edges so I got rid of it.  Then I bought a bound rug from Walmart.  It was nice ( for about 1 month), but then it started to wrinkle and bunch up.  See my post about that rug: http://luvtoeduc8.blogspot.com/2011/04/carpet-time.html   So I have broken down and ordered a real classroom rug this time.  It is a factory second but the manufacturer assures me that I won't be able to tell.  It was half the price of the original price.  Here is a picture: 

It is an alphabet rug but the letters are supposed to be hidden.  I'll blog later and let you know how it works out!

Seat Sack Feedback Please!!!!

I love these Seat Sacks.  The kids keep their writing folder, silent reading book, and magic slates in them so they can retrieve them quickly without having to rummage through their desk.  The problem is that they only last a couple of years, and then I have to replace them.  With shipping, they are now running around $10.00 a piece.  I've tried a couple different kinds, but they just don't last.  I actually looked into reinventing one myself, but it was just too complicated with patents and prototypes and I gave up.  Anybody have any  great alternatives???

My Classroom!

What's the most useful thing on your supply list?

Our school secretary just passed out our school supply list to check it for next year. It will be sent home in the last report card for the year. **What is the single most useful item that you have on your supply list.** SHARE YOUR GREAT IDEAS!

I think the most useful item on our second grade list are the Ziploc bags with zippers. We request both sizes (gallon and quart) and use them for so many things like flashcards, book bags, center materials....

Inexpensive Chart Stands

There is really no need to buy those expensive chart stands. Instead I buy garment racks at Walmart. They have a variety of finishes and styles. The two that I have bought are under ten dollars. But they also have chrome styles that look more like the professional teaching chart stands. In order to hang the pockets charts, I just go to the dollar store and buy shower clips. I am able to hang a pocket chart on both sides to make it multi-purposeful. For the chart stand in the picture, I had my husband cut it down to size so that my students could reach their unfinished work pockets on one side and see their jobs on the other.

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