Your Opinion Please....

[Former Teacher]

I recently just bought this:

http://www.mardel.com/Manuscript-Photo-Alphabet-ZanerBloser-Bulletin-Board-449439.aspx

I use to use them when I taught Pre-K as flash cards. I would like to use them again. My question is: should I laminate or use contact paper?

Contact paper would be cheaper since I don't have a machine. However I do want them to last forever

Thoughts?

[Former Teacher]

Anyone?

[blandino]

I would laminate them. I have done both and the laminated ones are so much more durable.

I just bought a scotch laminator from amazon, and it was only $30.00. The refill pages are $10.00 for 100. It was the best purchase I have made lately !

[melilley]

Definitely laminate! Contact paper is great for some things, but if you want it to last, especially if the kids will be using them, lamination is the way to go!

[melilley]

I would laminate them. I have done both and the laminated ones are so much more durable.

I just bought a scotch laminator from amazon, and it was only $30.00. The refill pages are $10.00 for 100. It was the best purchase I have made lately !

What a great deal!

[asinhome]

So far I have avoided flash cards and gone with thick foam or other types of letters that can be used in a sensory way as well. I try to integrate them through out projects and play so it is not as directed but more through play.

[Cradle2crayons]

Definately laminate !! I've had my scotch laminator for years and used t thousands of times. Still works perfectly. I buy the off brand laminate sheets on amazon. I love my laminator !!

[Former Teacher]

Thanks Ladies!

Laminate it is!

[dave4him]

wish I had done that

[Starburst]

Well a cheap way to "laminate" cards is by getting those big rolls of packing tape and trying to in case it vertically with the tape (use tape on both sides) to keep it strong. You might want to try it on another similar peace of paper just to practice so you don't mess up the real thing. or you could get clear plastic sheet covers and glue/tape it to the paper- again you may want to practice on another similar piece of paper 1st.

[luv2teach]

I would laminate them. I have done both and the laminated ones are so much more durable.

I just bought a scotch laminator from amazon, and it was only $30.00. The refill pages are $10.00 for 100. It was the best purchase I have made lately !

Yes, this.

[Patches]

Laminate, for sure

[Sunchimes]

I agree with laminate, however....way back in the 80's, I taught elementary school. I bought Scholastic books for our classroom library and covered them with Contact brand paper. (IMO, it's better and easier to handle than the off brands). They went through 2 years of classroom use and 8 of my own grandkids, and they are still sturdy. The pages are yellowed, but the covers are in perfect shape. So while I think laminating is better, contact certainly works quite well.