I am thinking of buying a 9 x 12 felt rug pad that is 3/8" thick. It costs $50.00. What do you think of this idea? It is definitely affordable and looks comfortable. Also, do you think that size would work for 30 fourth graders? Or should I just give up the idea of having a rug for read alouds?
That rug pad looks like it could be itchy. I wouldn't. Did you check out rugs at Walmart? I bought a 5x8 for 24.99 on clearance. I've also had colleagues go to local carpet stores and they will donate the old rug samples. A local store gave enough for our k to 4 classes and they were free. If you can't do that just have them sit on the floor.
You could go to a carpet store and ask if they have any carpet tiles to lay out for the kids (can be stacked when not in use or left on the floor). You could also post on Donor's Choose, since this is the time of year when big corporations sometimes swoop in and fully or partially fund projects.
$50 is rather expensive for a carpet pad.
I don't know where you live, but look for a local flooring store that is family owned. Go in and look around for remnant rugs. Tell them you are a teacher in the local school and that you need something cheap because you are using your own money and can't afford much. Yes, play the sympathy card. Managers of big box stores can not reduce prices or give items away, owners of smaller stores can and often do.
Ask about carpet tiles too. They are the best! You can lay them out to make a rug and kids can pick them up to use as individual mats or join two together to make a place for partner reading, then stack them when you are done.
Do you have a PTO or other parent group? We have a PTO and they will purchase carpets etc. for us.
Our local Goodwill stores sell new rugs for around $50 (maybe less depending on size) Also check Kmart or Big Lots.
I would think you could find a real rug for a similar price that looks prettier than the pad. Even if it's not a classroom rug, or super soft, it would be better than the pad.
I bought a rug at Aldi for $18.99. It's cute and the kids love it. It's an aqua blue color and is beautiful. I debated taking it home for my bedroom. Lol
If you have a local Habitat for Humanity store you could check there too. Our local one had a number of school carpets for sale. Ours also has a tremendous number of used books very nicely organized.
That would be itchy. Why not buy two rugs for the $50? Walmart and Big Lots both have 4 x 6 rugs for around $17. You could get two and put them side by side. I did that and it's working out great. We have school rugs, but they were huge and just took up too much room.
I agree with others that Home Depot and Lowes. How far away are you from Ikea? They have a lot of rugs some for $50 and others for less. They have some with polka dots that teachers in my school have that are $19.99. These rugs have lasted at least 2-3 years, in a 1st and 2nd grade classroom.
I went to Lowes and bought a 9 x 12 remnant for $30. They won't normally cut remnants but I told them what I was using it for, so they cut it for me to the right size and gave me a discount on it.
It is a high quality carpet and I am very pleased with it. Thank you for all of your help!
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08-26-2016, 02:44 PM
