INEXPENSIVE ITEMS FOR AN
ACCELERATED READER STORE
One of my colleagues and I
somehow ended up in charge of the Accelerated Reader Store for
our school during the 1998-1999 school year. Getting it started was the hardest part.
Now all we have to do is restock the supply of prizes. I think because of finding prizes for middle school students, Tracee and I have
become true "bargain hunters." This is a list of our
"secret" sources. Of course, you'll need some money to buy
your bargains. Our principal gave us some money from an
"At-Risk Fund" since our overall goal was to increase
reading levels. Each team also gave us some money. Our student
council also donated some money to our cause. We don't have a
PTA, but if you have one, it would probably be willing to give
you some money. Most of the prizes we bought were under a dollar,
but we didn't spend more than six dollars on any one item. The
more an item costs, the more points required to purchase it from
the store.
Fast Food Coupons
Check with any
restaurant that gives away coupons. Contact the manager and
tell her that you want the coupons for incentives for
reading. Most places will be happy to give you a handful. We had
good luck with Sonic, Pizza Hut, Golden Corral, and Wendy's.
We also had some coupons from McDonald's that my principal
gave me the year before.
Oriental Trading
Company, Inc.
If you buy in bulk,
you can get items for very little cost. They also have
variety packages. We can't keep their "alien" items
in the AR store because the students love them. They have
everything from jewelry to candy to toys.
Teacher Central.com
This is a teachers' supply company presented by Oriental Trading
Company, Inc.
Back to School Sales
Stocked your store
with pens, pencils, erasers, highlighters, stationary,
basically any back to school supplies that were on sale. Buy
items that are unique. For example, instead of plain yellow
pencils we buy ones representing different football teams.
After Christmas Sales
and Clearance Sales
During Winter Break
visit Wal-Mart and Target and search for items on sale or
clearance. Stores don't like to send back seasonal
merchandise, so they sell it at low prices. Some items won't
even appear to be seasonal.
Buy Packaged Sets
Buy packaged sets for
a great price, then separate the items. Comic books and
packages of trading cards often come in sets. For some of the
items, even the package or box can be used as a prize. This
is especially true of perfume and lotion. (We saved some of
the packages to display other items.)
Used Book Stores
If your community has
a used book store, check it out. Most of the books are in
excellent shape.
Promotional Items
Some businesses give
out promotional items. Check with some of the businesses in
your community to see if they would be willing to donate some
to your store. We received pens, visors, water bottles, coin
purses, and key rings from various businesses. An idea I have
for this year is to put a "classified ad" in our
school's newsletter asking parents who are business owners to
donate a few promotional items for the store.
