What's the best way to get what you need for the classroom?
by Edutopia Staff
May 23, 2008
Credit: iStockphoto
Responses to this question revealed our readers to be part go-getter, part bargain hunter, part pirate. Though many said, naturally, that the surest way is simply to buy it themselves (see question 9), others offered up a plethora of verbs to describe their tactics: grovel, plead, flatter, scrounge, share, whine, budget, plan, write, and the most popular of all, ask. Beg, borrow, and steal appeared multiple times. (Arrgh, mateys! No one actually wrote plunder.) Threaded throughout these strategies was the idea that if you want something, you must demonstrate its value. Try innovative lessons, articulate their importance, and do your job well. A good record builds a good case for getting support.
In the do-it-yourself arena, we clearly have some industrious readers, and their answers together form a veritable tip sheet on where to find discount deals or cash. Highlights include thrift stores, garage sales, Internet searches, open source software, donations from local merchants, redemption money for recyclable cans and bottles, and the time-tested approach of "getting to know the janitor." An honorable mention went to the grassroots grant Web site DonorsChoose.org [2]. We know one elementary school teacher who has had thirty-two grants funded there, to the total tune of nearly $10,000.
What do you think? Weigh in on the results.
Links:
[1] http://www.edutopia.org/edutopia-staff
[2] http://www.donorschoose.org/homepage/main.html
[3] http://www.edutopia.org/node/5515/results
[4] http://www.edutopia.org/readers-survey-2008
[5] http://www.edutopia.org/best-blog-educators-2008
[6] http://www.edutopia.org/best-educational-podcast-2008
[7] http://www.edutopia.org/best-virtual-field-trip-2008
[8] http://www.edutopia.org/best-site-download-free-lessons-2008
[9] http://www.edutopia.org/best-site-grant-information-2008
[10] http://www.edutopia.org/best-technology-product-less-100-2008
[11] http://www.edutopia.org/best-technology-tool-students-2008
[12] http://www.edutopia.org/best-education-software-2008
[13] http://www.edutopia.org/amount-spend-classroom-supplies-2008
[14] http://www.edutopia.org/best-public-advocate-education-role-model-2008
[15] http://www.edutopia.org/best-new-book-education-2008
[16] http://www.edutopia.org/top-concern-parents-2008
[17] http://www.edutopia.org/top-concern-teachers-2008
[18] http://www.edutopia.org/what-missing-degree-certification-program-2008
[19] http://www.edutopia.org/who-teach-class-day-2008
[20] http://www.edutopia.org/subject-should-be-taught-2008
[21] http://www.edutopia.org/new-teachers-burning-out-2008
[22] http://www.edutopia.org/best-way-find-inspiration-2008
[23] http://www.edutopia.org/best-way-create-educational-community-2008