Summer’s here, and with it the sticker shock over just how much you spent on classroom supplies this past year. Looking to pull off a more affordable classroom curriculum next fall? Here are six ideas to do so super cheap.

 Index Cards.

 There are more ways to use these things than can be listed in this particular article. However, I have written a post specifically on using index cards in the classroom. It has several additional articles it links to as well. Basically these things provide a gold mine of instructional opportunities for pennies.

 Dollar Tree.

There are other dollar stores to be sure. But for my money, there’s nothing like having access to a great Dollar Tree. Not only does this chain have great affordable items for the home, but numerous classroom items can be purchased there as well, including sentence strips, name tags flash cards and more. More than affordable for the PTA to help you out with, even in neighborhoods under extreme financial pressure.

 File Folders.

 You get a boatload of them in a box, and they have a gazillion (technical term) uses. Learning log covers, book jacket design, mini offices and more. Here’s a resource with even more uses for file folders in the classroom.

 Newspapers.

 These usually come for free from the publications themselves. Extra newspapers each day are donated to various classrooms in the school who want or need them. Ideas for using newspapers in the classroom are bountiful indeed. So get in the game and put this classroom freebie through its paces.

 Phone Books.

 Another freebie classroom resource usually donated by local companies in the area. Whenever the new ones come out, the unused phone books from the prior year are up for grabs. You can use phone books in the classroom in many ways, including local research, ABC order practice and individual craft and science stations.

 Check out other cheapies.

The above items don’t form a comprehensive list of classroom cheapies by any means. Beverage boxes, craft sticks and lunch bags certainly make the cut as well. Here’s another list of cheap classroom resources to round out your repertoire.

Got another great recommendation for affordable classroom materials? Shout it out below.

 Photo Credit: Then and Again