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Supply lists have evolved over the past 50 years. There was a time when the list that was sent home to the parents was for the supplies the child would personally need and use. Most schools did have help for families who were financially unable to obtain those supplies. However, on that list you would also find the textbooks that the students needed. The parents had to buy textbooks, and then at the end of the year were able to sell them back for a little money.

The times have changed, and so have the lists. The list now includes Kleenex, and more crayons, and pencils, and paper of all kinds, and more. These are now placed in a cabinet for the use of the whole class rather than the student just using what he brought.

The costs have changed as well. It has become very difficult for some families to provide the supplies. It is also becoming impossible for the wonderful teachers to chip in and take care of the balance. However, with these changes there has also come a greater number of resources, and ways to get free or discounted supplies.

There are hundreds of "freebie" websites. However, you have to search through a large number of them in order to find the good ones. It can be frustrating. Teachers have the greatest access because it seems the burden is so often placed upon their shoulders.

Totally Free Supplies: There are some sites that are very helpful in getting bulk supplies for teachers and schools through donors and sponsors. These sites offer both teacher supplies and student supplies. One such site is www.iloveschools.com/faq/how-i t-works.html. At this site the teacher needs are matched with donors and supplies are made available. It is a needs "matched to resources" process that allows the website owners to seek out sponsors and donors for specific needs. Another good site for this is www.iloveschools.com/faq/how-i t-works.html. While the process for this resource might be a little slow, it will likely help meet the needs of the teachers, and ease their burden.

Large Supply Discounts: Here is a resource that will greatly ease the current hardship that our teachers and parents are having to endure. Sites that offer large discounts are already a good thing because they make some things affordable that might otherwise be impossible to have in the normal classroom. You will find low prices on these sites, http://www.smilemakers.com/Smi lemakers/assets/html/s_teacher .asp?refcode=E699KG3&source=googschool&gclid=CKaktvO27JkCFeZL5QodqXa3 RA and www.discountschoolsupply.com/c ommunity/welcome.aspx?welcomei d=337&es=5796400000G&CMP=KNC-Google&s_kwcid=classroom%20supplies|2 624676743&gclid=CKf9o9i17JkCFYZM5Qodo0qb SA Using these sites to make purchases is easy, and saves money. However, if you add to it a fund raiser that will cover the costs, you will find that you have free supplies at your finger tips. There are hundreds of fundraisers available. It is suggested that you get the ones that cost nothing. One such fundraiser is www.worldsfinestfundraising.co m/?campaign/unrealadwords/&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=PLM&utm_campaign=FR+-+Brand&utm_extra=dim1/Brand//dim2/Bro ad&utm_term=worlds+finest+chocola te. This is probably the most well known one, and it raises large amounts of money for schools everywhere. Other possibilities are, http://www.skratchers.com/ppc/ index.html, and

http://www.easy-fundraising-id eas.com/.

Combining discounted supplies with fundraisers will result is free supplies.

Creative ways to obtain free or low cost school supplies: Of course there have been many creative ways written about on the Web as to how to make getting supplies for the schools, teachers, and students easier and less expensive. This article is full of great ideas that anyone can duplicate: http://www.edutopia.org/free-s chool-supplies-fundraising-don ation.

Teachers also need teaching resources such as fun worksheets, games, puzzles, and quizzes. Because of today's awesome technology, these items can be obtained at the click of the mouse. These are all educational, can be developed by topic so it fits into the curriculum. The students love interactive learning tools, why not give them what they love. Among many possible Internet sites, http://www.abcteach.com/ is a great starting place.

Rather than sit back and worry about how to provide classroom supplies, let your fingers do the walking through the Web. It might be a tiring journey, but it will prove to be very rewarding.

Learn more about this author, Ernest Smartt.
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