Thrifty educator

NEA Today, Sep 1999 by May, Susan

Each month. this space will feature NEA members' money-saving ideas. This month's tips come from Susan May, who teaches at McCook (Nebraska) High School.

I have a whole host of ideas to save on paper. Here are a few of them: a I laminate pretty laser papers and papers that I embellish with stickers, punches, stamps, computer clip art. Then I post messages on these papers, using markers that will erase.

I copy enough tests for one class and have students write answers on their own piece of paper.

I laminate chore charts with my students' names. Then when a student needs reminding about an assignment, I write it on the laminated chore chart with a marker that erases.

Eventually all students will have E-mail addresses at home and at school and will be able to access anything I send them electronically (absentee assignments, praise notes, etc.).

I tape a copy of each handout on the wall. Students who lose papers can copy the handout by hand or borrow it and pay 25 cents.

For some assignments, I design computer templates. The student completes the work and saves it in the correct folder. while practicing computer skills. We do not print it. While the student is watching, I evaluate the work on the computer.

I also have students peer-edit each other's work before printing it, and I use transparencies rather than lots of handouts.