Go to Lowe's or Home Depot (lumber store) and locate the White Panelboards (in the paneling section of the store).
It is 4 ft by 8ft which cuts into 24 pieces of white board (12 inches by 16 inches).
Did you know that they will cut it for you? It is just a couple bucks extra and bam! You have 24 white boards ready to go for under $15. Can't beat it!
Just use kleenex or paper towels as easers!
A quick and easy alternative is also to run an sheet of white card in the laminator. Done! You might even chose a different color for fun.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea!! Just found your blog and am loving it!!
ReplyDeleteMiss J
Smiles, Crayons, and Endless Stories
you can also use plastic plate like the paper plate kind.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this great idea. I'll have to remember it.
ReplyDeleteYES! I love the laminated paper and have used it (sooo cheap too!) The cool thing about the panelboard is that it does not get the build up of marker smear that laminated items tend to do. But, of course, with laminated paper it is so easy to just make more!
ReplyDeleteI have not done the plastic plate idea! How cool! Does it get smeary build up?
Love the inexpensive way to get more white boards. Kids love them so much! Are the edges rough when they are cut at the store? Thanks for this great idea. Renee
ReplyDeleteI had Lowe's cut them for me so there were some boards with "not perfect" edges. They warned me that their saw was not the best choice for this panel. I do not have access to a saw so I went with it! I will say - it is pretty darn good even with the big saw.
DeleteIf you have a handy man in your life - you can get perfect boards!
I love this inexpensive idea! I am going to go to Lowe's ASAP and get me some. This would be great for a brainstorming session with the children. Sally you amaze me daily.Keep the ideas coming!
DeleteLove, love, love your blog,
Holly :)
They hold up too, I've had mine for a while (15-16?)years. Yikes, I'm old. A bit Scratchy on front, but still going. Or I'm too cheap to replace them.. I have the rough velco tab on the back that I stick a felt square to for an eraser. And a binder clip on top makes it a clipboard. Sanding edges for a few seconds is all it needs, if that. I have sharp corners too and no one minds (until tomorrow..). I also use the dollar store 3pack micro fiber face cleaner disks? Circle things... As erasers. Not so good with the velcro, but they are a class favorite. Have fun :)
ReplyDeleteOh my word - you are a fountain of wonderful information! I never thought to add a binder clip! Brilliant! And the microfiber face cleaner disks from the dollar store!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your wisdom!!!
DeleteYou can also make it even more multi-purpose by spray painting the backs with chalkboard paints or even making a chalkboard substance such as this... (http://www.attemptingaloha.com/2011/02/how-to-make-your-own-chalkboard-paint.html)
DeleteAt least, that's what I plan on doing with the set I make for my classroom next year! :)
how about taping the edges? I've seen some really neat duct tape!
ReplyDeleteI use old or odd socks as erasers for whiteboards. It's a more eco friendly and there's always a constant supply from the laundry basket!
ReplyDeleteHello, we all have so many great tips! I picked up a baby receiving blanket at our local thrift store and cut it up into twenty wipes. They are fantastic and was like a dream!
ReplyDeleteI have awarded you the Lovely Blog Award. Thanks so much for all of your wonderful tips! Liz McCaw :)
@ http://crazyforkindergarten68.blogspot.com/
This is so great! I am your newest follower!
ReplyDeletemichelle
Apples and ABC's
My daughter is teaching summer school and has to bring her own supplies (she student taught last year and doesn't have a classroom yet). We went tonight to Home Depot and got the board cut for my daughter. They didn't even charge us to cut the boards AND bonus, we got 10% off for military discount. The guy told us he did this for his kids and put a big board on their walls for them to draw on. Thanks for the idea!!!!! I have passed it on to my teacher friends.
ReplyDeleteThis post was a great one as I just returned from Lowes with new whiteboards ready to go. I told the store employee what was cutting them that I was a teacher and he in turn didn't charge me for cutting the boards. I'm going to run over to Five Below the next few days and try to duct tape the edges to show which board goes with each table. Just another way to keep the edges clean and boards in one area. Thanks for sharing this great idea.
ReplyDeleteOMG what a great idea. I am a teacher and have been using laminated sheets but the build up of marker crud is aweful. As a thought, my daughter's teacher uses baby socks as erasers.
ReplyDeleteSome awesome extra tips on here in the comments too! I would have to say, I totally see half my class on any given year picking at the duct tape and peeling it off, which would make a yucky mess. Love the binder clip idea! I had purchased clipboards at the dollar store and put contact paper on the back so it would be white board on one side, then I put chalkboard sticky paper on the clipboard side so it's three in one. The kids started to peel both sticky papers off...sheesh!!! So this board painted on the back with chalkboard paint and a binder clip seems like a better solution.
ReplyDelete