Every year I would spend hundreds of dollars on my classroom. I wanted cute decorations and a new way to organize. I also needed new materials and supplies to teach students that were behind one to four grade levels. There's only so much money in a school budget. You are one of the lucky ones if your school gives you classroom money. I remember when I first started teaching and had a classroom budget. That helped a lot! By now, though, there is no money given by the schools. So what do you do? Learn to be frugal and seek out donations.
❉ Bulletin Board Backgrounds
⇒ Buy a sheet from your local discount or thrift store. Choose a color you can live with for a few years.
❉ Supplies
⇒ Does your school receive school supplies for the kids? Buddy up to the person in charge of handing those out. You will be using them for the kids! My community collects backpack supplies each July and passes them out to the various schools. It's amazing how many glue sticks, markers, crayons, etc. are collected. In my school, it was the counselors who would pass things out to students. Well, there was always a ton of supplies, so I just asked for some of the supplies for my classroom. They handed them over knowing the kids would be using the supplies.
❉ White Boards
⇒ If you don't have a class set, there are some cheaper alternatives. You can see my blog post here.
❉ Classroom Lesson Materials & Manipulatives
⇒ Look at what you have first. Have you cleaned out your closets and cabinets (at home and school) lately? I tend to buy things and then stick some place where I know I will remember when the time comes. Three years later. Oh, there it is! Do some cleaning and organizing you might find what you need.
⇒ Check with other teachers. Maybe they have what you need and you can borrow, buy, or trade.
⇒ Check garage sales or your local thrift store. I have found many school items for cheap at both sales and the thrift store.
⇒ Check Teachers Pay Teachers. TPT has lesson materials, forms, decorations, and games that are all economical. There's something for everyone!