Teacher Esoterica: Yet More Surprisingly Useful Tools

(Part of an occasional series.)

1.  An iron, because:

• Fuse beads are great for fine motor and for keeping children occupied while you assess, and they require an iron.
• You can also do faux stained glass (note: if you do this you will want to stock up on child-safe veggie peelers).
• If you are lucky enough to have access to a laminator, you have probably noticed that it a. breaks often; b. requires film so expensive your school cannot afford a year's supply; c. is nearly impossible to refill when you do have film.  An iron and some laminating pouches  make quick work of most small laminating jobs.

2.  Plastic pippettes, because:

• They're great for fine motor development.
• If you have the Ksters use these to water their plants, fewer plants drown.
• Pippettes + diffusion paper = cool art.
• This project is so fun (and so messy).

3. Strawberry baskets, for:

• stacking,
• storing (I keep bingo board tiles in these and then stack them.  Since they're stacked, the tiles don't fall out).
• a wide variety of craft projects.