I completely agree! Most of my regrets are impulse buys that I didn't think through or I didn't double check quality before purchasing.

My 11 year old created a flowchart to help me decide what to buy. The questions I have to answer are: Does it go with the theme/colors? Do you have something like it? Does it serve a purpose? would third graders like it? Besides answering yes/no, I have to give a convincing explanation on how it serves a purpose. This flowchart (my 11 year old) helped me prioritize as I went through my budget. This is my first year being the lead teacher and having my own classroom. I already spent more than I thought I would and I still need a few things. I guess is better to buy as I go and get to know my students. Thanks for the adivise : )

Great video! If you still have your bins ruined by paint maybe you can cover them with contact paper of your choice! Bins are always useful in the classroom. About the matching games that didn't have a good self correcting plan, you can do that by putting matching stickers on them or drawing something with permanent marker on both matching parts. Just some ideas. I miss my classroom! Blessings!

this should be a tag for all teacher youtubers!!!

This was very informative. You included a lot of items not mentioned in other videos. Thanks!

What a great video! It’s so easy to get sucked into the hype of the newest trendy things for your classroom too! You do have to be careful and have a plan for everything and make smart decisions. It’s hard to know if some things will work out until you actually try them with your class, like with your lap trays. I’ve almost bought those several times and end up talking myself out of them because I don’t know if they’re worth it. Thank you for sharing the positives and negatives of classroom purchasing! This should help a lot of new teachers!!! ❤️ and hugs

I would agree with basically everything you said! Except my kids totally loved my lap desks, I grabbed some more this summer even! I love the little graphics you had too ☺️

I agree with you so much about getting books from retired teachers! I just took EVERYTHING and my kids really aren't interested in half of my collection. That is one thing I'm going to have to go through in August for sure!

@itsferslife

6 жыл бұрын

Yesss! It really took a lot of time for me to go through them and a lot of space to store them

@uglyvegan7945

6 жыл бұрын

I had "library cards" in my books that kids had to sign when they checked them out of the classroom library. This allowed me to see how popular each book was.

Thanks really liked this as a homeschool mom. Can’t wait to see your new classroom.

Definitely agree! Another one is buying stuff because your team likes to use it. Like I got anchor chart paper because everyone else got it in their class orders too. Didn’t like using it at all. You’ll learn your own teaching style.

Such an informative video. I totally agree with impulse tpt buys that I didn't have a solid plan for being a big regret. Same regret for cute storage without a planned need. My favorite has to be clear contact paper. I've used it to protect books, quick laminate, and to mount pics and notes.

Thank you SO much for making this video! I am a first year teacher starting in first grade this year and this was very helpful for me! I am proud to say that I am only guilty of a few of the regrets mentioned 😅 I am SO excited that you were moved to first grade so that I can find more inspiration from your class and resources! I can’t wait to see how you set up your new classroom! I LOVE those vlogs! ♥️♥️

I'm a third grade teacher. My mom recently retired as a fourth grade teacher. She gave me so many books plus I had been collecting a few, it was too much. I had to donate half my library and now it's a lot more manageable. I still have 16 book bins full of chapter books, informational text, and graphic novels. Best purchase was my 2 laminators. I have one for home and one for school. Saved my life

I so agree about the TPT purchases! Probably my biggest regret is the smart response clickers I purchased my first year. I thought it would be a great way to do exit tickets and quizzes but it was so cumbersome for my little ones to log in that I gave up and they are still sitting in my classroom unused.

Great video! I'm thinking of getting those dry erase pockets. Awesome editing in this video btw. 👍🏾🤗

Great video!! I also have to agree with TPT purchases! OMG! There are so many cute ideas and items but when it comes down to it there is not enough time to do all of the projects and implementations. SO this year since I am switching grade levels from K to 5th grade I have a ton of stuff in my "wishlist".I have also surprisingly found so many free things that I love for decor on TPT:). My favorite purchases have been my laminator as well as my paper cutter! So much time saved from those two items ;)! Also, the circle cutters (from Michaels) for eyes on projects.

I like chair pockets. I went to a local second hand store and found a thick canvas to make my own. It was great. They lasted all year, but I was making new ones during the first semester of the second year I used them. It's great for light things like folders or composition notebooks - NO SPIRALS or books or pencil boxes!

I also just finished my first year of teaching (grade 1) and I can totally relate to the cute tpt purchases that I never actually used and the old books That got donated that no students ever picked up haha. So happy you’ll be teaching grade 1 next year🍎❤️

That is so funny my kiddos were OBSESSED with lap desks this past year. I had only bought a couple because I wasn't sure about them and ended up purchasing 5 more throughout the school year! Every group is so different so who knows what choice will be most popular this year :)

@ernestoespadanazario4406

5 жыл бұрын

how did you them

One of my regrets last year was buying random decor items from Target dollar spot without a plan! I ended up with things I have never even used. I feel like I could have put the money towards something else. This year I’m trying to have a plan for decor that I am going to like the entire year because I’m not changing!

Such a helpful video, thank you for making this!

Thank you Fernanda, for telling us about thriftbooks! (I had no idea that it was out there) I am still in college working towards my degree in elementary education and I know that there's so much more information out there on that I want to read about, more than what is covered in my courses. I was able to pick up some excellent resources about teaching philosophy, lesson planning, and classroom management at REALLY inexpensive prices plus I was able to use your promo code and saved even more!! Thank you!!

Great video! I haven't been to TPT in over a year. Think I will go and purchase the rainbow cart!

Thank you for this video! I'm a first year teacher and I almost bought those lap desks from Michael's yesterday but I'm glad I didn't! All your advice was super helpful - I subscribed :)

I loved this video! I am going into my first year of teaching (3rd grade) and have watched so many teaching videos but can't ever remember what worked for others and what didn't. I can't wait to buy a laminator and HP Instant Ink was incredibly helpful during my last year of undergrad!

Thank you for making this video. I have been watching videos like this to help me decide what to buy and what not to get for my classroom as a first year preschool teacher during the upcoming school year. And I even signed up for HP Instant Ink last month because of you since I know it's going to save me a lot of money...I know I'm going to print a lot!!

One of my favorite purchases has to be a white 12 cube organizer I got from Wayfair. I got a great deal on it and had it delivered to my school with free shipping. I use colored caddies for supplies on my library tables. I got tired of students messing around with the caddies and supplies. Now the caddies have a designated spot on my cube organizer. It’s super easy to send one student from each table group over to get their supply caddy. Regret purchases have to be things from the dollar spot that I bought just because they were cute and cheap but didn’t really get use because I had no specific purpose for them. Love that you shared both favorites and regrets in this video! Can’t wait to see how you next school year goes in your new school.

Starting as a new teacher this year! This was sooo helpful thank you 😊

this video is great for new teachers, what a great idea!

I love your videos and especially your new editing style!!

I don’t have a job yet, but I’m starting to prepare for my classroom in case I snag a job last minute. Thanks for the advice. I can’t wait for my first year of teaching!

This is so helpful! Thank you so much! This is going to be my first year teaching Kindergarten!

I plan on building up my classroom items while I'm finishing up school so this video is sooooo helpful😍

@josellinraquel7310

5 жыл бұрын

I am doing the exact same! Glad I am not the only one :)

I’m so glad I watched this! I’ve almost purchased those dollar tree pouches multiple times.

I agree with you about the TpT impulse purchases! My first year of teaching I went TpT crazy. I was buying task cards, lit circle packs, math units. You name it I was buying it! I can tell you ... I didn't use any of it! My kids didn't respond well to the stuff I was purchasing. It was my first year so I didn't know any better. I love TpT but I do find that I create a lot more on my own because I teach based on student interest! Something I love and can't live without in my classroom... my Bose speaker, my dash and makey makey kits! They were all super expensive but I used it daily in math, literacy, science and social studies and my kiddos were obsessed! Totally worth the investment!

Thank you! Your video was very helpful even for a seasoned teacher.

I just bought some scoop rocker chairs from Wayfair. I’m so excited for the kids to use them. I couldn’t live without my laminator and HP instant ink. Best purchases I’ve ever made.

Thanks for the awesome share! It's so funny how some things work for some and not for others. The colorful plastic sliding drawers from Michael's have never worked for me. The baskets kept falling off the sliders. But, I love painting plastic! LOL I have never had an issue with the paint and final product. As always, great vid!! hugs, ~diane

Thanks for making this video, i am a future educator and there are times that i like to purchase for my future classroom but then sometimes I wonder what stuff I don’t really need

I love dry erase pockets also! They save so much paper. Try the lap desks with your new class. It all depends on the group of students. Some years they work, some they don't. Great video! I agree with all of your favourites (sorry, Canadian spelling).

I too agree that some of my biggest purchase regrets were due to not having a plan first. Its so easy to get caught up in the impulsive purchases with ideas from other teachers or the "cuteness" of the item. Don't get me wrong I love ALL the ideas from other teachers, but I need to sometime stop and decide 1.) would that work for me? and 2.) How would it fit in my class or lessons. Thank you for this vlog. It was a good reminder for me. Good luck next year in first. You will love it! I 've done first grade 2 separate times for a total of 10 years.

Those are great for center storage, but I also love sterlight bins the smaller ones for centers. My students just grabbed the ones they needed and would sit in a certain place in the room. If you ever want like portable centers. Just a tip! I did have third grade though so older kids seem to handle portable centers better than the little ones! Love your channel!

Thank you for your video! I'm so nervous for student teaching next year.

Love the video Fernanda!

HP InstaInk is one of my favorites also! What I like about it is during back to school time I upgrade my package--then I can change it back to a cheaper package when I am not printing as much! I have plastic containers that I spray paint year after year and they turn out great. I think you need to make sure you get the spray paint that is specifically for plastic. However, this year I am painting over a different color (example, changing red to hot pink) so I am not sure how that is going to work. Oh and I also agree about the IMPULSIVE TpT purchases! Been there! Love your video!

I am always looking to expand my library, garage sales and thrift stores are always a good way to start

This is so helpful, thank you!

Omg, THANK YOU for making this video!! You are so helpful!

@itsferslife

6 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome! 💜

I agree with you on everything! I never bought lap desks, but I do have a bunch of clipboards that some years my students use a lot and like this past year they rarely used them. I get mine at Dollar Tree and they are a tad smaller so they fit in Sterilite boxes or the colored drawers from Michaels and I'll put them in there for station/center work that includes writing but they have a free choice on where to work. Even if you don't put them in there, they still take up way less space in the room than lap desks would too! I've also thought about buying and spray painting the Walmart bins, but I'm glad I didn't. I ended up buying black bins from Wayfair for a decent price and I added color with my bin/book labels. But I will say...those impulse TPT purchases get me ALL. THE. TIME!

@Necee75

6 жыл бұрын

Rachael Lyn > I purchased my clipboards from the 99¢ Store.

You are such an inspiration! Love your videos.

Great advice... thanks for sharing

This is very helpful! Thank you!

yay for books!!

Love the. tip about HP instant ink!

Definitely agree with not spray painting plastic. I was given so many baskets by other teachers while I was substituting and now I'm preparing for my first year as a teacher. I purchase a like 40 dollars worth a spray paint (neon colors too) but it was a waste. Thanks for sharing.

This video is so helpful! I’m a first grade teacher and I’m wondering what centers you will be using this year for your classroom? Are you making them or buying them from Tpt? Thanks!

I would love to see a video of you going though your lesson plans of your kindergarten class last school year. I just watched a video of that from Too Cool for Middle School and I thought it was so fun! I'd love to see your first year of teaching in lesson plans!

@itsferslife

6 жыл бұрын

I didn’t keep them 😳

Favorite purchase so far is definitely my laminator, but I’m getting an hp printer soon so I’m sure that will take the number one spot! Least favorite would be colorful bins that can’t go with every theme/color scheme.

@itsferslife

6 жыл бұрын

before I purchased bins, I made sure to have a color scheme in mind that I loved. That really helped!

Thank You your suggestions were very helpful God Bless

I just bought the rainbow cart! I can’t wait to use it!!!

@itsferslife

6 жыл бұрын

I LOVE mine

@josellinraquel7310

5 жыл бұрын

@@itsferslife what do you use it for exactly?

Fernanda, this is such a great video. I spent so much money on things my first year that I never use. For me my biggest regret purchases are pocket charts. I never use them ;/

@itsferslife

6 жыл бұрын

I only bough 3 from the target dollar spot, so luckily I didn't spend THAT much BUT i did only end up using one

@KateTheSleepyTeacher

6 жыл бұрын

thatonehappyclassroom I just don’t find them effective for my type of teaching Some people love them , lol

@Necee75

6 жыл бұрын

TheSleepy Teacher > I have tabletop & wall mount pocket charts... I haven’t used them since my 1st year teaching. 2818-2019 will make my 5th year.

@KateTheSleepyTeacher

6 жыл бұрын

Necee75 same. I just never use them. I have two that I actually like /semi use.

Helpful video!

I have a million of those dollar tree bins too!!! Haha! I do use them though but I almost wish I got black or white bc the colors they had didn't really match my color scheme!

I love thriftbooks!

@itsferslife

6 жыл бұрын

💜💜💜💜

So very helpful and well done Checking out some of your other videos👏🏽👍🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Agree with everything! the scoop rockers are at big lots right now if you want more.

@itsferslife

6 жыл бұрын

Omg, I think I’ll get some Wayfair has them on sale for 6 for $28 right now too

I am so scared to spray paint any plastic bins because I feel like my results will end like yours 😅 just found ThriftBooks this week and have already made 3 orders 😅 haven’t received any but hoping they are in good condition lol. Also hp insta ink is the best and I am so thankful you talked about it last summer!

Very helpful for us future teachers😃

Great advice.

Hi there and thank you so much for these amazing videos! I saw your sight word journals, in a previous video....can you share a link to them. I really want to have these in my classroom...it looked fantastic.

@itsferslife

6 жыл бұрын

There’s no link unfortunately since I made them myself, but I’ll work on putting them on TPT soon

Totally regret spray painting plastic too! I actually left a lot of the spray painted bins behind in my classroom when I left for the next person to use if they wanted because I couldn’t stand the bubbling and peeling 😩

@itsferslife

6 жыл бұрын

I'm never spray painting plastic every again lol

A book tip I go to goodwill the kids books are 5 for .99 and I just found out in goodwill outlet stores all books at .20 cent each!!! Some are gentle used others.more used but I homeschool so it's worth it!!!

Lap desks are a regret of mine too!

My favorite was also HP instant ink! My regret was buying things i wasn't even sure I'd use. Lol

I love TPT. I always go for the free stuff first. I rarely purchase something unless I really need it.

@itsferslife

6 жыл бұрын

I purchased a lot off of TPT last year to supplement since we didn't have an official math curriculum :/

Hi Fernanda I m so glad you made this video. I think it will be very helpful for all teachers, especially new teachers. I made a promise to myself not to shop at dollar tree this year, I have two tubs of stuff from dollar tree in my classroom that I never used. I think a lot of it is just impulse. I am going to wait until I am in my classroom this year to purchase stuff. I have made some furniture purchases, but thats it. Thanks :-)

yes thriftbooks is a great website

You can stack the dollar tree bins, you have to turn one 90 degrees each time, they stack up that way, and condense stack if they are the same direction

@itsferslife

6 жыл бұрын

We tried that, and it didn’t work

Ugh...I just purchased those puzzles from Target. I thought they would make good beginning of the year centers for my Kinders. Thanks for the heads up!

@emily409673

6 жыл бұрын

if you end up not being able to return them you could write on the back of the pieces some sort of code (like one piece says a and the match says 1, or a stripe of color that matches up, or even 2 halves of a shape ) so that you can make use of them and have a way for them(the kids) to know when they got it correct

Beautiful RING!!💍

I totally can relate to regret purchases. I love TPT and have also purchased items I have yet to use. Do you need a certain printer for the HP instant ink? Or does it work with all HP printers?

@itsferslife

6 жыл бұрын

You need a qualifying HP printer. If you go to their website it’ll give you a long list of all the options :)

30+ year teaching veteran here. My favorite purchase is the heavy duty electric pencil sharpener.

@Necee75

6 жыл бұрын

Dee Tee > X-Acto High Volume 🙌🏾

@TJ-gi3jo

6 жыл бұрын

Can I ask which one? I'm an artist and after reading lots of reviews, I'm more confused than ever about which one will truly be the best for high volume usage.

@deetee8100

6 жыл бұрын

Tina Johnson Xacto School Pro.

@TJ-gi3jo

6 жыл бұрын

Awesome..that's the one I had decided on! Thanks...

Can you tell me how you use the scoop rocker chairs? I just know my students would argue over them.

@itsferslife

6 жыл бұрын

Only students at our tablet center can use them

Great Video

Such fabulous ideas. I will definitely share your channel with my elementary education students. I've been teaching for over 23 years and remember spending over $500 my first year (back in 1994)! I just started my channel and would love some honest feedback! Thanks again for sharing!

Great video! I have one question. Do you buy these with your own money or you have a school budget? I have noticed a lot of teachers in the US, talk about buying stuff to organise from shops like michaels and dollar tree. In the UK we have a budget but we have to buy through specific school magazine. We cannot really order from other shops unless it is an absolute necessity. It is interesting to see how it works in other countries. I have bought so many things from my own money just to make my art room the way I want it to be. Thanks for sharing.

@itsferslife

6 жыл бұрын

No budget 🤷🏻‍♀️ If I want something for my classroom 90% of the time it has to come using my own money

@Tassycrafty

6 жыл бұрын

thatonehappyclassroom Wow! You are dedicated:) good luck in all you do:)

Another great printing option are the printers with ink tanks! I have Epson. There are no ink cartridges. You fill each color with bottled ink. They are sooo much cheaper than a cartridge and they last for so long!

@itsferslife

6 жыл бұрын

one of my team teachers had one in her classroom! I've noticed that the printers I've seen with ink tanks tend to not print bright colors well and it comes off very dull. Is that the same for you?

@StephLynnWard

6 жыл бұрын

The colors were alright for me. However, I haven't printed in color with a regular printer for quite some time. We moved abroad and couldn't find our cartridges here. In a side-by-side comparison it might not be as bright.

I'm also guilty of buying those dollar tree chair pockets. They were the WORST!

Where did you get your shirt? So cute!

@itsferslife

6 жыл бұрын

It's actually a dress! I got it at Target!

Would you ever be willing to come to help another teacher set up their room? I am new to Arizona and this is my second year teaching but my first year teaching 1st grade, so I really would love guidance or help!!

@itsferslife

6 жыл бұрын

That sounds like a good idea! However I have my own classroom to set up this year, so this wouldn’t be the year to do so unfortunately

Being a teacher must be stressful as hell, but I bet you knew that from the beginning? Good luck!

Love all you’re videos!!! ❤️

Can you please vlogmore! Would love to see more everyday videos :)

@itsferslife

6 жыл бұрын

I work all day at a daycare and have been staying with my in laws until we move in to our house, so that’s why I haven’t been vlogging. Once the school year starts, I’ll vlog more

Instant ink is the best. I am a homeschooler and I still print a lot certain months between the school stuff and my business stuff. I have never paid more than $12 because the roll over.

@Jennifer83

6 жыл бұрын

And for the TPT, good news is you own it. You never know if you’re going to use it in another year so it technically isn’t a waste :)

Can you do a video on lesson planning for 1st grade

@pre-kdivertido3198

6 жыл бұрын

teachers pay teacher has some great lessons for free

So....I have book bins that I was thinking of spray painting because the colors are horrific. Any suggestions on how to change the color without messing them up?

@itsferslife

6 жыл бұрын

I tried spray painting bins and it was a disaster I wouldn’t recommend spray painting plastic

Thriftbooks also offers 15% off an order to teachers if the order has 20 or more books. The coupon code is APPLE.

How much do teachers make yearly?

@itsferslife

5 жыл бұрын

It varies from state to state and even district to district

Very helpful! I begin teaching 3rd grade very soon😊 go AZ teachers!!🌵

@itsferslife

6 жыл бұрын

🌵🌵🌵🌵🌵

That moment when you just bought $30 worth of chair pockets 😖

@itsferslife

6 жыл бұрын

You can always return them!