Posted by:
Amanda Puopolo
K-12 Classroom teacher
N. Easton , MA

Topic:
Not so skinny!

Message:
There is no reason why a skinny budget should inhibit a good choice based art teacher to purchase supplies! Art teachers should constantly be on the look out for cheap supplies, trash to treasure, and things to be donated.
There are many good bargains and deals to be had out there, if you know where to look. It is the job of the choice based art teacher to get out there and search around. There are many stores that have remenant things, and also sell salvage things. If the choice based art teacher searches around long enough, he or she is bound to find some interesting art supplies to be used in each center.
The choice based art teachers should also always be on the look out for trash to treasure. Stores, homeowners, and restaurants have some very interesting things in their trashcans. Often times many interesting things can be found lying on the side of the road. A choice based art teachers needs to always have their eyes open for a good piece of trash that can be treasured in a choice based classroom.
Many businesses, local artists and shops could be possible places to go and ask for a donation of materials. It doesn't have to be something that sells on an everyday basis, it could be plastic bags, or boxes, or anything else that they have that they would be willing to donate as an art supply.
Also, because this is a choice based classroom we are talking about, a child should bring in things that are important to them to incorporate into their artwork. Most parents have many things that they have collected over the years that they could possibly loan to their child for their art work.
So, a skinny budget should in no way affect a choice based art room. Basic supplies can be bought, and then other "exotic" but cheap supplies can be searched out.

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