Is $1 Cheap Enough?

I am always looking for an inexpensive and quick

 learning manipulatives.

File folder games work well for me because they are easy to store,

and can usually be self-correcting.

During back to school shopping,

Target sold file folder games in their dollar section.

That's cheap enough for me!

Using one of my favorite DIY tools,

self adhesive laminating sheets,

I quickly covered the game board...

and the pieces.

A cheaper and easier to find alternative is clear Contact paper,

but the laminating sheets are clearer and a bit stiffer.

Then using another favorite tool,

my little cutting thing,

I cut apart the game pieces.

DONE.

You can use the pieces as a memory game,

with pieces turned down,

or as a matching game,

where you put down one set of cards,

then match up the second set.

The only caution in buying school materials not created by

educational companies, is to watch for inaccuracies.

I bought a poster from a dollar store that was missing

several letters from the Spanish alphabet.

Some math booklets and games progess too quickly for age level.

You don't want to jump from 2 + 2 = 4

to

8 + 9 = 17

A phonics item might use words that begin with the correct letter,

but not the correct phonetic sound.

Church would NOT be a good clue word for the letter "c."

The Dollar Tree stores have been known to occasionally

get a small shipment from Evan Moor company.

Be on the look out for inexpensive, easy and accurate

 manipulatives to enhance your curriculum.

What inexpensive treasures have you found lately?