Sunday, May 8, 2011

Back to School Calculators

Back to school shopping often includes technological tools for older kids.  One of the main such tools is a calculator, and while there are plenty of choices, it's good to have a calculator that is reliable, and that meets the main needs of the students.  As a math teacher, I have a strong preference for Texas Instruments products, which have continued to adapt over the years.  Their products have always been top notch, and I haven't been very happy with my non TI choices.
TI-15 School Calculator
TI-15 School Calculator
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The TI-15 is a good choice for the middle school student, with more than just the 4 functions, or operations, available on basic calculators.  Fractions, squaring and square roots, and more, this is great for most middle school topics.

Texas Instruments TI-30X IIS 2-Line Scientific Calculator
TI-30X Scientific Calculator
The TI-30 has been adapted through the years, and is a scientific calculator, including trig functions, as well as the ability to do operations and simplifications with fractions.

Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculator
TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculator

Texas Instruments Graphing Calculators are top-notch, as well, with great use in high school and college mathematics courses. 


Find more Texas Instruments Calculator Choices.

Back to School Sales

The best time to watch for back to school sales is just after the Fourth of July holiday passes.  Most department stores quickly begin to move out their seasonal materials, and the back to school supplies and products quickly take their places.  While school is still a good month and a half away, the sales are now! 

Don't miss end of the school year clearances, though.  As summer hits full swing, there are often a steady stream of clearances on through the summer, in preparation.  I have found clearanced stationary products at Walgreens and CVS mid-June, clearanced socks and undies in this time frame, as well, and a variety of other useful goods.

Back to school snacks will hit the shelves in the middle of August, with significant sales in these days and into September.  As well, that will be the time to keep an eye out for snack coupons.

Online sales are significant at the end of July, and into the first part of August.  Amazon and others will even have promotional offers for online shoppers during this time frame.  Technology based businesses often provide great promotional offers in this time frame, and popular apparel stores will run great sales.

Stock up on stationary, pencils, and more, during this stage, as regular prices during the year will be much greater.