Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Cheap and Easy to Make Erasers

 When I moved into my classroom a few years ago I found erasers for my dry erase markers.  However, they were quite a few years old and didn't work the best.  Some of them had fallen apart and my kiddos just didn't have much patience for them....and neither did I to be honest. 

That led to using tissues.  Now, if you don’t already know let me tell you how many tissues a first grade classroom goes through in a year…..A LOT!!!!  J

So, the tissue erasers didn't really work either.  It was quite a waste, and it also took quite a bit of time to get them passed out. 

This led to my next idea which is what I want to share with you.  I found a pack of washcloths at Walmart for $4.00.  When I saw them it occurred to me immediately that they would make great erasers. 


I bought a package last year and took them to school.  Since I had more than 18 kids, I knew I would have to cut them up.  Each kid did not need an entire washcloth for an eraser. 
 
So, I cut them up into fours. This gave me plenty of extra in case they got lost, ruined, lost, new students moved in, or lost….get my point?!

I don't know why these are upside down.  I guess it doesn't really matter.  
They look the same, but it still bugs me!! 

These worked wonderfully for me last year. In fact, I gave each kiddo two erasers. They put one in their supply pouch in their desk to use with their blank dry erase board and they put the other one in their Fundations bag. We use Wilson’s Fundations Phonics program and with that each kid gets another dry erase board with lines. We keep these pouches in their cubbies so instead of having to dig out the supply pouch each time we used the Fundations board I just decided to give them two erasers.

Now, I will tell you that they do fray on the ends that are cut. So they’re not perfect. But the important thing is they work and they are cheap and they lasted all year. These important things won me over.

These pictures are from the package I have bought for this year. I still have some left over from last year, but I always make extra.

Just thought I would share this little tip with you in case you need erasers. I wish I had thought of it 3 years ago and saved lots of tissues. :)

I spent 13 hours working in my classroom today so I am exhausted!! My mom came and helped me and then my hubby came. It was wonderful! And my room is starting to look soooo cute!!

Tomorrow is my *birthday* so I'm going to go shopping and then out to dinner to one of my favorite restaurants...birthday girl gets to pick!! :)

8 comments:

JLH5437 said...

Baby socks work great for erasers, too.

Fluttering Through First Grade said...

Oh Rachel we feel your pain. Our district gives us one "paid" day to set up our classroom because, ya, we only need one little day and we are totally set for the new year-NOT!

The washcloth idea is genius! We've used socks in the past but they end up as sock puppets with eyes, mouths, etc.

Sure hope you are not spending your birthday setting up! Enjoy your special day and we hope this next year is your best one yet!

~Christy & Tammy
Fluttering Through First Grade

Barbara said...

That's a very clever idea!
Barbara
Grade ONEderful
Ruby Slippers

thebusybusyhive said...

Happy Birthday!! Great tip, I need to get some for this year.

Heather
I'm having a giveaway! I'd love for you to enter:)
The Busy Busy Hive

Unknown said...

I cut squares out of felt and they last all year, without the fraying!

Lori R said...

FYI You can also use foam packing (not peanuts) which comes in packages such as in jewelry. It is even in small pillows. Just cut it up into small squares and it makes a perfect dry erase board eraser and it's free! Mine have lasted for years

Anonymous said...

Great idea! Thanks for sharing. . .I'm thinking that I could sew (or, more correctly have someone sew) a magnet into a corner and then I can hang them up too :)

Rachel Seymour said...

Felt and foam packing are great ideas too! Sewing a magnet onto them would be wonderful. I love magnetic things for kiddos!

Thanks for sharing other great ideas!! :)

Rachel

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