Posts tagged "K through 12"

Teaching Supplies – Top Ten

Getting teaching supplies ready for the first day of school can be stressful for some teachers.  There are so many activities to do and routines to establish the first week of school that usually you don’t need to have all of your teaching supplies  purchased by the first day.  Here is my list of the top ten teaching supplies I make sure that I have by the first day of class.  I wait and purchase some of my other classroom teaching supplies later.  It took me several years of extremely late nights right before school starts to make me realize that it all does not have to be done at once.

10.  Post cards or stationary – Each year I write a note to my incoming students welcoming them to my class.

9.  Name plates – I make sure that each student has a name plate for “Back to School” night.

8.  Personal calendar – I keep a lot of dates on my Google Calendar, but I always keep a small paper calendar on my desk.

7.  Incentives and motivators – Part of establishing a warm, welcoming environment includes creating community rules and norms.  I believe each class is different, so I like to pick out different motivators each year.

6.  Highlighters and sticky notes – I use these for many activities with the kids as well as to help me stay organized.

5.  New book for the 1st day – The first day of school is special for everyone.  When I am buying my teaching supplies, I like to purchase a new “back to school” book.

4.  File Folders – I use these to keep papers organized.

3.  Name tags – I try to remember the names of everyone in my class, but it takes awhile.

2.  Record keeping book-  Like my plan book, I like to start making notes about students.

1.  Lesson plan book -  This is one of the first items I buy every year to make sure I know what I am doing on that first day.

Like I mentioned above, I don’t need everything by the beginning of the school year.  I consider this list my essential items.

We would love to hear what you consider “Must Have’s” for the start of the year!

Deciding What Teacher Supplies You Need

Buying teacher supplies can add up.  There is no doubt that you can easily spend more than you budget for as you shop for your teacher supplies this year.  You have had all summer to think about how you are going to change your routines, maybe create new centers, and add to your classroom library.  You may have even had an opportunity to read an inspiring professional development book that has given you new ideas.  How do you decide what educational materials you need right now and what ones you could purchase at a later date?  There are so many amazing teacher supplies, but there is no doubt that you have to narrow down your list.

When it comes to choosing the teacher supplies that I purchase at the beginning of the year, I really try to think back to what I was missing the previous year.  Or, I may make a list of the teacher supplies that my teammates have that I would like buy.  For instance, my teammate had a hundreds pocket chart, and I borrowed it many times.  I knew that I liked the pocket chart, so the following year it was one of my first “back to school” purchases.

Here are some questions to ask your self:

• What will help me the most as I begin my new year?
• Is there an item that I have been waiting a long time to buy?
• Would it be beneficial if I asked my teammates to buy a big item together?
• Do the items I want to buy really match my teaching goals?

After you decide what you are going to buy, visit www.k12schoolsupplies.net to find your favorite educational materials.  We strive to provide you with a huge selection of engaging and quality class room supplies, specialty children products, books, and industrial strength toys and furniture.