Happy Thursday….or the continuing 2 month weekend. I made this comment to the mister last night and he was less than pleased about my 2 month weekend! But I am working and being productive on my long long long long weekend.
OK…what teacher doesn’t love the Dollar Tree?! (Even after my unfortunate incident last month with the employee who was so rude and hateful to me that I found a manager and let her know all about it…then I let the corporate office know about it…and now I’m telling you. She was MEAN. She didn’t speak to me except to yell at me when the credit card machine was asking me a question….just sayin…)
But seriously…The Dollar Tree is like teacher nirvana. You can seriously rock out a classroom just by shopping in that store. And not to mention do some serious damage to your credit card. It’s a good thing they don’t have a website with one click purchasing like Amazon.
So, my Thrifty Thursday posts this summer will be all about how to use amazing finds from the Dollar Tree in your classroom. Today’s post features the plastic shot glasses that you can get during the summer. You get 24 cups for $1. I’ve always wanted to use them in my classroom but never figured it out. Until now. (I also used them with my new DIY light box/light table! Click HERE to see that post!)
That’s right. 3-D (3-Dimensional Ten Frames!) using plastic cups from the Dollar Tree.
You will need: plastic shot glasses, black foam board, E-6000 glue, measuring tool, tape and scissors.
The foam board and glue came from Wal-Mart. They were less than $10 and can be used over and over again.
Step 1: Measure. I made each board 9 inches by 4 inches. I played around with placing cups on the board until I found a look that I liked and I measured based on that.
Cut the board.
Tape the edges. This isn’t necessary but it looks nicer…
Glue. I put a small circle of E-6000 glue around the bottom of the cup.
Glue to the board.
BAM! 3D ten frames!
I am super stoked about these. For about $10 you can make a class set of these. I am thinking these will be great at the beginning of the year when we’re learning numbers and counting to 10. It will be so easy to see who’s getting it and who isn’t. And later in the year when we hit teen numbers….and making 10…and small group math….Seriously…so many uses for very few dollars! I mean you give them number cards and a recording sheet…and you have a math center!!! BAM!
I used straws for counters becuase that’s what was lying around in my office. But I’m thinking pom poms would be PERFECT for this. I think ping pong balls would be awesome too…but I can see those going all over the room. Pom-Poms, straws, craft sticks….so many things can be counters!
And you combine two of the ten frames to have a twenty frame for numbers to 20!!!!!
Thoughts? Will you try it?
And remember, you can link up your Thrifty Thursday post below!
Before I go…I have to share my new addition to my office!
I love my new banners!
http://static.inlinkz.com/cs2.js?v=007
