If I had to draw one generalization about teachers, it would be that teachers love school supplies. I am constantly invigorated walking down the school supply aisle in supermarkets and shops. I have created a list of my favorite teacher supplies, all valued under $20. These are supplies that I find helpful in my classroom, alongside some good ideas on how to use them. For your convenience, most of the supplies are associated with a link, to pick them up directly at our store.
I have evaluated each supply with its need in my classroom.
*One Star = Convenient but not "must-have"
**Two Star = Ideal to have
***Three Star = Purchase NOW!
1. POSTER BOARD***
Never purchase chart paper again. Poster boards last longer, look more pleasant, and are WAY more affordable. Make your own anchor charts, by utilizing a projector to trace.
Check out this thick white cardboard, eye-catching fluorescent board, and even metallic foil board!
2. STICKY POST-IT NOTES*
Post-it notes are somewhat guaranteed. However, I need to challenge traditional post-it notes though. Have you attempted the full-back sticky? These are ideal for labeling things, sticking to walls, and they won't lose their "sticky" side in damp environments.
Check these amazing sticky post-it notes here.
3. REWARD STICKERS**
I utilize these stickers everyday inside the classroom. I realize that it sounds messy, but let me advise you, even center students cherish them! As they work in groups, I would course and stamp pages. At times, I would give these out for receiving a correct answer, and other times, it would be for individuals who were trying. You would be stunned to see how students would request stickers and rush to call out on the off chance that they got missed. Stickers are must-have teacher supplies!
Check these amazing behavior stickers here.
4. DRY ERASE MARKERS***
Dry erase markers are never enough. If you have PTA cash, or such school reserves, I would suggest spending it on markers. I kept a few boxes for my myself to use on the whiteboard, and afterwards let my students use them on their whiteboards. As a teacher, I adored utilizing student whiteboards to formatively assess and mess around. These boards make learning very intuitive. Update: don't go off-brand. Exhibition markers don't stain and wipe off clean.
5. MR. SKETCH SCENTED MARKERS***
These are my #1 markers! If you make anchor charts and haven't utilized them yet, you will begin to fall in love. In addition to the fact that they have an extraordinary chisel tip, they also come in incredible colors. They don't spill through the page either. I make sure that these markers are kept secure, because I don't want anyone else to take them!
6. STAPLER**
This convenient handy-dandy Paper Stapler is my top pick. It has endured through everyday misuse by school students for a very long time. It opens up with ease to punch into bulletin boards, and is less likely to jam than others. It makes a beautiful noisy pop when it staples, which gives some entertainment to new clients.
7. CLIPBOARD**
Clipboards are the ideal teacher supply. They're cheap and have various uses. I adored having one that held my grade sheets and seating charts on my desk. You can use wall space by hanging them around the room. Update: dry erase clipboards are currently my top choice! This class set has held up perfectly for a very long time.
8. COLORED CARD STOCK***
Another popular and well-liked product to keep around is colored card stock. It's so flexible, thus being extremely ideal to have an additional pack or two around in your workspace. I use them as task cards, classroom board cards, "I-Can" Statements, letters, banners, enrichments, and dividers in my covers. This simple product can really brighten up the classroom.
9. BINDER CLIPS**
I have just shared my adoration for binder clips in my Teacher Organization post. However, I wouldn't do these clips justice if I didn't include them here too. These clips are amazing to hang banners on the wall, and they make clipping 150+ papers seem like a breeze. Try not to waste any cash on paper clips!
10. MAGNETS**
My sister acquainted me with the significance of magnets. These magnets altered the way my classroom runs. I love to stick self-adhesive magnetic coins to the back of flashcards and sentence strips. It's easy and fun to put them up on the white board, and then take them down and save them for later use.
11. COMMAND HOOKS*
I mentioned utilizing wall space to hang clipboards, and this wouldn't be realizable without the joy of command hooks. I additionally utilized the giant hooks to make a spot to hang my purse and scarves inside my cabinets. You can utilize them to hang task cards or some other ringed thing.
12. EZ GRADER*
I taught math and loved using the EZ Grader.
13. TIMER***
Indeed, you can use the timer on your phone, but it can drain your battery. I love having a little clock up close when I'm using the document camera, so it can keep students on track and the class moving along on schedule. Extra points if the clock can also attach to my lanyard.
14. BAGGIES*
As the year starts, I purchase a box of gallon-size and sandwich-size bags. You will be astonished at how often you use them, and how happy you are to have them available at your disposal. I utilize them frequently for keeping card sets together.
15. PLASTIC BINS**
I adore utilizing plastic caddies in my classroom. I use them for a variety of activities, from group supply boxes, to hold classroom supplies, to then hold my own supplies. I highly suggest to purchase the ones with locking lids! I realize they are pricier, but for ones that are handled by students, this is a must!
16. DISINFECTANT WIPES*
Disinfectant wipes are a must-have in the classroom. Who knows when disinfectant wipes will be back in stock reliably? In the event that you are looking for another option, you can utilize old-style cleaner and microfiber materials, or a UV purifying wand.
17. MANUAL PENCIL SHARPENER*
My true opinion is that all-electric pencil sharpeners are useless. I know, it might be slightly controversial. Nonetheless, my thinking is this for $8.00 a piece, I can purchase four manual pencil sharpeners at the cost of a decent electric one. Manual sharpeners are quieter, and can be set anyplace in the room. They require some work on the students’ part, making sharpening their pencils not quite as much fun.
18. GLUE DOTS*
I love stick spots for labeling things. It's considerably less congesting and tougher than tape. A perfect second to stick dots is a glue gun (particularly if your walls are concrete).
19. SCOTCH EXPRESSIONS TAPE AND WASHI TAPE***
Jazz up your whiteboard and different things around the room with colored tape! I utilized the tape by making a planning board and keeping my statement wall coordinated. Update: washi tape is a must-have requirement for keeping a Chrome Cart coordinated.
20. SOFT DICE*
Dice are a great device to have in the classroom. Not only would you be able to utilize them while showing probability and statistics, you can use them to approach students, practice speedy math, and spice up a worksheet. Furthermore, they are quiet.