10+ Useful Dollar Tree Finds that Can be Used in the Elementary Classroom

All over Instagram and Facebook we see the amazing finds that people are finding in the Target Dollar Spot. Don't get me wrong I am one of Target's BIGGEST fans and love a good Dollar Spot find. However, those Dollar Spots are mostly "seasonal"  and only found during the Back to School craze. Aside from those that they have now included on their online site under Bullseye's Playground. Today I wanted to share some of my FAVORITE classroom finds from the DOLLAR TREE!

#1 Snack Box Containers 

Okay I have to admit whenever I find these containers I snatch them up because let's be real they can be hard to find. That's probably because they have so many things that they can be used for both in and outside of the classroom. I personally use them to neatly hold crayons in my table supply caddies. I also use them to store center game pieces such as dice, snap cubes, timers, etc... I also have used these snack containers for mini eraser storage. 

#2 Acrylic Picture Frames

These frames are perfect for stations. In my classroom I use them during Meet the Teacher & Open House to house my station signs. During the school year I also use them in my centers to show/remind students of the center expectations. You could even use them for table numbers, student of the week recognition, and table check ins. 

#3 Facial Scrub Circles

You've probably seen these all over the GRAM. They are great for erasing dry erase pockets or white boards. I believe they come 4 to a pack and come in a variety of colors. When they get dirty you can wash them with soap and water or put them in a lingerie bag in the washing machine.

#4 Game Spinners

I found these game spinners in the "teacher" school supply section. These spinners are great for math center games. Students can spin the spinner and show the number on a ten frame or build it using snap cubes. They can also be used in an addition or subtraction center. On a non math related note when students are working in pairs they can spin the spinner to decide who is going to go first. The person who spins the smallest number could go first or vice versa.

#5 Plastic Craft Organizer

These plastic organizers are typically found near the craft supplies at Dollar Tree. I love using these containers because they are a great way to organize and keep all of my Dollar Spot mini erasers. These containers can also be great for holding art supplies or game pieces. 

#6 Snack Containers

These circle/square snack containers are great for containing game dice. They 

keep the dice from flying across the room during math games and other activities. I personally like to use foam dice in my classroom because they are quiet and allow me to not have to listen to the rattling and clanking sound of dice. 

#7 Mini Tumbling Tower Blocks

These mini tumbling tower blocks are so versatile. I use them in my classroom as a morning tub activity. I also have sets with review concepts on them such as math facts, numbers, sight words, cvc words, and more! Before purchasing the colored tumbling tower from amazon I colored the ends of the blocks with sharpies. That allowed me to use the blocks for multiple review games without having to put the review concepts physically on the blocks. You can check out my tumbling tower review games that I use with my students. 

#8 Activity Trays

I absolutely love how 1, 2, 3 Teach uses these activity trays from the dollar tree. I've seen them in the four colors pictured. The options are really endless for these trays. They are perfect for any time of sorting activity. You could sort math facts to show their sum/difference, sort by color, shapes, sizes, and even use them to sort word patterns. 

#9 Water Bottles

Around back to school season and summer you can find colorful and bright water bottles. These water bottles are great for end of the year gifts, athletic clubs, or even beginning of the year gifts. I customized my students water bottle gifts using my Silhouette Cameo. The kids were so excited to have a personalized water bottle. 

#10 Recess/Chaperone Kit Supplies

Last year, I was scrolling through the Gram and came across a teacher who created recess kits for her team. I thought this was genius and had to do it for my team. Dollar Tree had everything I needed to put inside their recess pouch. The tissues came in a 4 pack, mini hand sanitizer, and fun Emojii bandaids. We all know the tiniest scrape needs a bandaid especially out on the playground. And then I thought WOW! This would be a great idea for field trips. Chaperones can always use these essentials while on a field trip and what an easy way to tote them around.


#11 Hair Rollers for Word Work

When I came across this idea on Planet Happy Smiles Instagram I thought it was genius!!! I love how she has her students use the hair rollers to build their word work words. What kid wouldn't want to practice spelling using these fun hair rollers?!? 

I hope through this blog post you were able to get some inexpensive ideas for activities that you can incorporate into your classroom. 

Do you have a favorite item from the Dollar Tree that you use in YOUR classroom? If so, I'd love for you to share it below in the comments and let me know how/what you use it for! 

Organizing Your Meet the Teacher Night to be Stress Free with Stations

Just the thought of the back to school craze + meet the teacher used to send me into a whirlwind of stress. Parents/families coming and going, younger siblings running chaotically and destroying my perfectly organized classroom that I’ve worked so hard to set up, and stressing over the thought of families NOT showing up at all and having to try and get a hold of them to see how their child would be getting home from school on the first day of school as well as the rest of the school year. Does this sound like you when you hear “Meet the Teacher?”

The Solution to My Stress

Thankfully I came across a system a few years ago that helped me to ease my meet the teacher stress/anxiety. And that involved creating stations within my room so that parents/families could self sufficiently get the information both they and I needed in case I had to help/assist another family.

Before Meet the Teacher Preparation

The week before our meet the teacher event I begin to brainstorm… What information do I need to gather from parents at the event? What information may they need from me?  This helps me to think about if there are certain stations that I may need to include during the event, what handouts or items I need to have filled out/ready for them to take, and what items I may need to purchase for the event. This helps me to begin creating my to do and to plan list.

After creating this list I then begin prepping and buy everything I need to do leading up to the event. Having all of the prep work done helps me to ensure that the day of Meet the Teacher I will be able to relaxingly welcome my students into my classroom and not look like a chicken with my head cut off in front of them and their families. Click HERE to to grab the Meet the Teacher To Do List for FREE!

The Day of Meet the Teacher

Because I was able to prep my stations and get organized for this event prior it actually taking place I am able to spend the event feeling relaxed and enjoy beginning to create relationships with my new students and their families.

Meet the Teacher Stations

Station: Welcome/Sign In

At my school families are given a two hour window in which they can fluidly visit their student’s teachers. So My first station is a desk set up outside my classroom room where I welcome my families to our classroom, have them sign in for our school’s records, and quickly inform them of the stations inside of our classroom. I let parents know it is imperative that they head to all of the stations and provide them with a checklist so they don’t miss anything!

Station: Transportation

The MOST important thing as a teacher during the meet the teacher event is to find out how your students will be going home on the first day of school as well as the rest of the year. Sometimes families will have students ride home a different way on the first day of school due to early dismissal, daycares not picking up, or just to provide their student a level of comfort. Because of this I have families tell me both how they will go home on the first day AND the rest of the year.

Station: School Supplies

I am at a school where some students bring their school supplies to meet the teacher night. In the past this ended up meaning that supplies were scattered all over my classroom and it was chaotic. But now I set up labeled school supply bins and offer a place for my families to sort their students supplies. This is a complete game changer because it allows me to not have to collect and organize supplies during the first day/week of school. For those families who DO NOT bring school supplies during this event I leave our classroom supply list with visuals. Having visuals on this list is amazing because families can SEE exactly what their child needs. It also helps those who do not speak English.

Station: Try Out Our Classroom Seats

In my first grade class I use flexible seating. So during meet the teacher I like for students to try out various seating options to see what seat they think they might like to work in best! When I did not do flexible seating in my classroom I had students find their desk and left a little surprise treat/note for them.

Station: Student Folders

At my school families are given a packet of paperwork that must be filled out and returned. This could be very time consuming to do during the event so I label these folders with student names and ask families to take THEIR student’s folder and return it by the END of our first week of school. A little bribery goes a long way. I tell them if they bring it back by _____ day I’ll have a special treat for them. This treat is nothing big. It is usually just a sticker, skittle, mini eraser, or ”special” pencil. Whatever gets those student folders returned is a #TEACHERWIN in my book!

Station: Classroom Wish List

One of the last stations families go to is our class wishlist. This station is perfect for those families that want to know what EXTRA items they can send in for the class. I left little stars out with school supply items and families could take as many as they'd like and send those items in for my class. Some different items I've added over the years to my wishlist are.... classroom snacks, Astrobrights paper, scholastic books, and cardstock. The best part is you can add ANYTHING your class may need.

Station: Student Gifts

Right by my classroom door where students and their families exit I will normally have a treat for them to grab. This is in place of the treat/surprise that would be left at their desk since we do not have individual desks. In the past, I have done popcorn, starburst, and jitter glitter. However, last year I began giving my students a poem with a magic wand that they are told to wave over their pillow the night before the first day of school.

I made these wands using left over cake pop sticks. However, in the past I have used paper straws from the Target Dollar Spot. Costing me less than $3 to make. If you ask me I consider this a back to school gift win! Spending less than $5 for 20 kids?!? I'll take it! I mean after all we all know we do not make enough money to be spending tons of money on gifts throughout the school year. 

Do you remember when I mentioned younger siblings running chaotically around my newly organized room destroying it??? 

Here are some tips to "TAME" those younger siblings & coordinate the chaos! 

1. Have a designated area for them to sit & play

2. Set out a simple activity for them (Stick to ONE option or TWO MAX)

Activity Ideas: Pattern Blocks, Snap Cubes, Crayons & Paper, 4/5 Books.

Creating and starting these stations has absolutely been a life saver for me year after year. Not only have I saved prep time by reusing my station signs year after year but I am also able to be more relaxed during the event itself. Ultimately allowing me to spend more time creating relationships with my new students and their families.

Have you ever used stations during your Meet the Teacher event? 

I'd love to hear what stations you incorporate into your classroom or even how you run your Meet the Teacher in the comments below!! 

If you're interested in using the stress free Meet the Teacher stations featured in this post you can grab them by clicking HERE! 

Not looking for a Meet the Teacher in BRIGHTS?! You can grab my other Editable Meet the Teacher Packs down below.
Meet the Teacher Editable Stations
Super Hero Meet the Teacher
Watercolor Meet the Teacher