If you have purchased my Letter of the Week Curriculum, or are considering it, here are some additional supplies you’ll probably want to use with the curriculum.
Things we use OFTEN:
- Song time:
Hide ‘Em in Your Heart Vol 1
Hide ‘Em In Your Heart Songs – Vol 2 - Leapfrog Letter Factory DVD
- Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
- Expo Dry Erase Markers
- Pencils, Pip-Squeaks Markers
- Scissors (kids rounded ends)
- Magnets (I use Power Magnets, or pom-pom magnets – I made them using medium sized pom-poms and self-sticky circle magnets from the craft isle in Wal-mart. You can also use a glue gun and circle magnets, they’d probably holdup better!)
- Wooden Clothes pins (I got little ones from Wal-mart craft section)
- 1 ½ “ wooden disks from Michaels, hobby lobby, or JoAnn’s for the letter match games. (Note: you can also use left over milk caps) It’s also helpful to have a Xyron Sticker Maker so you don’t have to glue or Mod Podge all the letters on, but that’s totally optional! Click here to see how to make them.
- Hole Punch (For the Lacing Cards)
- A magnetic board of some kind: I found a colored cookie sheet at a used HS fair, but they have cute magnetic dry-erase boards that are small enough for workboxes in the school/office supply section at Wal-mart and Target.
- Counters: You can use marbles, beads, bingo markers, beans, cheerios, glass pebbles from the craft store, matchbox cars, dinosaurs, really anything you think your child will like. I have a few different ones just so I can switch them out.
- Yarn or string for lacing
Optional Items:
- Laminator: You can either laminate at home, at a local teacher or office supply store, or not at all, it’s up to you. If you do choose to purchase a laminator, which most homeschoolers find quite useful, I recommend this one, you can find it at Wal-mart and Sam’s Clubs. It’s about $30 for the laminator and $14 for refill packets.
ScotchThermal Laminator, 9×11 Scotch Thermal Pouches
- Glue (I get the glue sticks usually)
- Paint & Large Sheets of Paper for painting
- Colored Construction Paper
- Large Thumb Tacks or Tooth Picks
- Pattern Block Activity Pack
- CREATIVE COLOR CUBES
- Magnetic Alphabet Letters Upper/Lowercase
Click here to see some of our other favorite preschool things!
I don't know what I would do w/out you, your great! The Laminator is next on my list so the printables last for Thomas to use
Laminator.com offers buy two get one free deals. That's where I get all my laminating pouches. about $32 for 300 pouches. Just a tip that might help save you a little dough. Cheers!
This doesn't really pertain to the supply list but I am curious what order you teach the letters in. Do you do teach them alphabetically or do you skip around, do vowels then consonants, or how?
I noticed you had what I believe was a Xyron 900 laminating machine, in one of your older posts. I know I can get one at Joanns with a coupon, too. Which do you really prefer? Is the xyron more like just a fancy version of good old contact paper? I thought it appeared less wasteful than the scotch one. But since I never used either one I really dont know.I'm just trying to weigh my options!
Christina: I actually use the Xyron 900 because I use it for other things than laminating. You can use it to make stickers, and also laminated magnets which I do a lot of, but it’s definitely more expensive! Guess it depends on what you’re planning to use it for.If you’re just laminating then I’d go with the cheaper one!
Hi there!I'e been wanting to purchase your download version for a little while now, but I only have a black and white printer…from my husbands work…a huge honkin thing that takes up a lot of space:) Do you go through a ton of color ink? I could probably borrow my moms printer which is color…but with so many pages to print and her living an hour away I don't know what would make the most sense…you don't have a black and white version do you?thanks,Taryn
Taryn: I do go through a lot of color ink. I don't have a black and white version, but you could always opt to print in 'grayscale' but it's not as fun.
THANKS! I Think I'm going with the Xyron. Not to concerned about the price since I can use a Joanns Coupon on it, I think. I'm sure as the kids get older we'll have tons of uses for it. Seems alot more versatile overall.
I have never used a home laminator and take my print outs to a teacher supply center, but I am interested in purchasing one for home. How many pages can you print w/ the laminator packs? and do you run the papers thru one at a time?
I have never used a home laminator and take my print outs to a teacher supply center, but I am interested in purchasing one for home. How many pages can you print w/ the laminator packs? and do you run the papers thru one at a time?