Teacher Supplies: The Things You Didn’t Know You Needed
There’s nothing like the panic that keeps you up in the night before back-to-school season! I think it’s only fair to give you a handy list of all of the items you might forget about before the summer begins. You can put together a big box or bag starting now that might save you time and headache later.
If you’re a new teacher, it’s safe to say, there are always things you will forget! But don’t worry, over time, you’ll learn what works best for you and feel good about all of the things you’ve stock-piled for those “emergency” moments you didn’t plan for. If you’re lucky, you’ll befriend a veteran teacher that can keep you informed and maybe even gift you a few things you didn’t know you needed!
Here’s my list of items I recommend. My list does not include the basic school supplies that often students or your school purchases, like pencils and paper.
Please note: You do not necessarily need everything here. Also, your school will probably supply these items. Ask your school if you’re not sure, and reach out to families for donations. Be okay with used items, too. I’ve included Amazon links (not affiliate) so that you can reference the type of item.
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Single-Page Letter - Written and ready for you to use!
Single-Page Upcoming Dates & Reminders - Ready to edit!
Single-Page Supply List & Donation Requests - Filled with common supplies and donation requests!
All sections are editable, so you can add or delete some items to suit your needs!
Big-Ticket Items:
Fan - A quiet, oscillating fan is best.
Bluetooth Speaker – I got a Sonos Speaker for Christmas one year, but any portable bluetooth speaker will do. Make sure you label it with your name and classroom number and have it installed on your computer, iPad and phone before the first day of school. Create a playlist on your phone with movement break songs so they are always ready.
Extra computer/iPad charger(s) – You might leave yours at home one day! Keep an eye out if your school puts any extras “up for grabs!” Label both of your chargers with a piece of masking tape with your name and classroom number. You might also want an extra phone charger handy.
Laminator - For the small things like math games that you’ll need to save.
Electric Pencil Sharpener - Make sure it has different size holes if you teach little ones and use large pencils. I recommend keeping this away from students because they jam very easily.
The Less-Pricy Items That Won’t Run Out:
Extension Cord and/or Outlet Strip - Most classrooms aren’t perfectly equipped with lots of outlets. Be prepared if you need to move your projector, fan, or computer!
Doorstops – You might need to find an extra rubber doorstop that works well. Make sure to label it with your name and classroom number. I especially like Lock Blok for safety reasons.
Teacher Stapler - You need to stash a stapler that your student's don’t use. This one should be the one you can count on. Put out a few older staplers that you’re okay with students using. (They will get jammed often, trust me!) Make sure your stapler opens fully so that you can use it on your bulletin boards.
Scotch Tape Dispenser - Again, keep a special one stashed away for just you. You’ll thank me later! Kids go through tape like crazy. Put out a few old dispensers in your art supply area for students.
Flat Stapler Remover (with handle) - These will help you get staples out quickly from a bulletin board.
Magnets - These do not need to be fancy. Having a bunch in a corner of the whiteboard will be helpful.
Screw Drivers (different sizes/types) - You might need to fix something and the janitor might be busy. Screw drivers seem to be a perfect tool that you might be glad you had.
Manual Pencil Sharpeners - Keep a few handy when (not if) your electric pencil sharpener jams.
Sound-Blocking Headphones (for kids) - I think 2-6 are plenty. My students loved these, but many didn’t need them. I kept them stashed away unless I needed to provide them as an accommodation for students with specific needs.
Mini Broom/Dustpan - 1-2 are great for students to use at the end of the day to help tidy. You can even make it a special class job. I recommend putting them in a little container by the trashcan because they do get dirty.
Timers – I recommend finding a few small ones for various needs, including having students take behavior breaks, complete work in a given amount of time, etc. Sand timers and digital kitchen timers are great. You’ll need more than one for more than one student at a time, trust me. (One color is best so they don’t fight over colors!)
Koosh Ball (or something similar) - These are great for playing class games or using as a talking piece during Morning Meetings or Closing Circles. (See Responsive Classroom for more.)
Sheets/Fabric - Don’t buy these! An old one from home will work just fine. You might need to conceal a center or area of your classroom at the beginning of the school year before you introduce it to the class or any time throughout the year. It’s helpful to be able to “close” certain centers if students are misusing it. (See Responsive Classroom about Interactive Modeling for more.)
Pocket Charts (100s chart, daily schedule chart, calendar, and small/med/large blank ones) - Keep extras on hand in case you want to introduce a special learning center or need to post vocabulary cards, etc.
Extra Games (Connect 4, Uno, checkers, floor puzzles) - I recommend putting some away to rotate out throughout the year so they are more fun and exciting.
Items to Replenish Throughout the Year:
Small Plastic Bags – You’ll go through all kinds of plastic bags!
Tooth Containers/Necklaces - These get tangled easily. I would try to have them on a hook inside of a cabinet so you don’t have to waste time untangling them when you need them. A single color also saves you time!
Extra Playground Balls / Pump - Ask your families to donate used sports balls to your class or get the cheap bouncy balls. Make sure to label it with your name and classroom number. My school often ran out of playground balls due to them popping or being accidentally thrown on a roof or over the fence. It’s nice to have an extra for your class.
Command Hooks with extra sticky adhesives - You may need to move things around in your room to fit your routines. For example, you might have an emergency clipboard/backpack/vest that you need accessible by the door.
Velcro - This is very useful for projects and classroom decor.
Tape - Clear Packing Tape, Duct Tape, Masking Tape, Scotch Tape - This is something everyone often borrows and forgets to bring back!
Cap Erasers - Those erasers on the end of pencils don’t stick around long! Note: Unfortunately I haven’t found a kind that work for big pencils. While we’re at it, don’t bother getting pencil grips, I recommend this trick.
Rags and Towels - Don’t buy these! You can ask for family donations or take some from home. An old beach towel is great to have on hand if someone spills something like a full water bottle.
Cleaning Solution - I think this works better than wipes if you use it with rags and paper towels.
Bucket/Dish Pan - Great to use for cleaning, class projects, or organization.
Thank You Notes and Envelopes - These are nice to have on hand when you get little gifts from families throughout the year.
Stickers - Various reward stickers are always useful. They could be really helpful for a substitute when managing student behavior!
Plastic Utensils, Brown Paper Bags, Plates, Napkins - You can use them for student projects, field trip lunches, and more. I recommend not getting the compostable paper plates if you plan to use them for student craft because they don’t cut well. Also, hang on to plastic or paper grocery bags if students bring them in. They come in handy!
Extra Snacks for Students (Goldfish, ZBars, etc.) & You (Cliff Bars, Seltzer) - Don’t run low on energy! Keep snacks for yourself and your students. Be aware of class food allergies!
Hair Ties - You’ll be glad you have these for kids if you have a case of lice!
Ice Packs - If you have a fridge, it’s nice to make or buy ice packs. It saves a lot of time from students going to the office for minor bumps. If you want to make them, I recommend freezing sponges filled with water in a small plastic bag.
Avery Labels - I use these for everything from student name tags with substitute teachers to book labels. The best size is 1" x 2 5/8". You can use the Avery online templates to design them for free.
Clear Sheet Protectors - I recommend keeping a big binder full of these when you need to create a quick learning center game or organize your worksheets. These are also great for students.
Teacher Emergency Supplies: lotion, Advil, cough drops, chocolate, tea, female sanitary supplies, etc. - Gives you peace of mind!
