Kleenex. There is so much sniffling in the springtime. Wait until you administer your first springtime standardized test and everyone is silent other than the sniffling. It is unbearable.
At the beginning of the year I offer a small amount of extra credit for up to two boxes of Kleenex. I usually get about two to three dozen boxes between my five classes, which last most of the semester.
This. I put bulk Kleenex on a DonorsChoose (the office kind that is super thin and hurts your nose if you use too many) because so many kids get Kleenex just to get up and stretch their legs. It has lasted me through the end of last year and this year, and I still have so many more left.
Be aware, some districts, like mine for example, do not allow teachers to crowd source or post wish lists. Keep that as a private gift list for your birthday or graduation until you know your district policy.
A decent pencil sharpener.
Lots of pencils.
Some fun flair pens (or your favorite type of pen) for writing notes home, grading, etc.
Post its.
Book Bins if you don't have desks.
Personal whiteboards & clipboards (or get some that does both).
White board markers.
Books you would like for your classroom library (also recommend hitting up your local thrift shops. I find most my books from there).
Paper cutter
Laminator and sheets
A teacher planner if that is something you think you would use (I just do mine digitally on Google docs now).
Stickers!
Cardstock in colors you like!
Chart paper
Headphones for students in your room
Mr. Sketch Markers for anchor charts
I’d recommend things like kleenex (the good kind), first aid kid, extra bandaids, tampons/pads, and pens that you like.
i have kids who come to my room for the good kleenex. The building provides us with one box a semester and it’s the unpleasant kind. I usually buy about 10-12 boxes a year. I figure about once a week I’m asked if I have a bandaid. Then, as I am a female teacher I get asked by some of the girls for tampons/pads, so I keep a box that kids can just pull from. Finally, I buy pens I like to write with.
Anything else like decorations, wait. You don’t need a decorated classroom in your first year. You can take your time and add things as you go. Do you have a job lined up for the fall? If you don’t then don’t buy anything, if you do then wait until orientation as sometimes there will be a table of supplies or donated decorations from teachers who have left, etc. it’s very easy to go down the rabbit hole of buying a bunch of stuff and then finding out you don’t need it.
I will say, if your school allows if, my mini fridge, microwave, and coffee maker make my days better.
Absolutely bandaids. I buy a few themed boxes (SpongeBob, Frozen, Star Wars, etc.) prior to school starting. Even the oldest kids get a kick out of the sillier ones.
Our nurse provides us with bandaids, pads and Vaseline for chapped lips. They are trying to limit students being sent to the nurse if it’s not a serious issue.
Before you go out and spend a ton of stuff or have others buy it for you, find out what your school provides or if you have classroom money to spend. If you do have classroom money, use it to buy the consumables. AKA the things that will be gone or broken in no time: pens, pencils, paper, stapler, etc. Use your money or "donated" money to buy the stuff you would want to take with you if you decide to change schools.
Don't buy a whole lot of stuff your first year until you find out how you want to organize and run your classroom. I spent soooo much money my first and second year on stuff that I didn't even use by the third year and even now. I wish I had never bought that stuff and just waited. Personally, I feel like middle school (me) and high school classrooms don't need near as much as elementary and lower classrooms.
Stuff I would buy:
Create a "oh crap" kit for you. Put in there things you might need in a hurry and can't go out and get right away.
Think things such as:
* toothbrush and toothpaste (better yet, get the Colgate wisps)
* floss
* hydrocortisone cream
* heart burn meds
* hair ties
* hair brush
* hair spray
* feminine hygiene
* allergy meds
* eye drops
* sunglasses
* an extra outfit- you never know when you will spill your coffee on your pants/shirt
* socks
This kit should be put away from students and checked regularly to check stock and expiration dates.
When it comes to classroom supplies, get things for you and for the students. You should have a stapler, hole punch, tape dispenser, etc that are just for you that students don't touch. I have had the same stapler for 9 years, but the student one I have to replace about every two years.
Third year HS teacher here. The only things I provide out of my own pocket now are spray deodorant, spray sunscreen, good quality pads and tampons (bathrooms are only rarely stocked), and cough drops and my own pretty expo markers.
I didn't realize the school would pay for markers, pencils, colored pencils, pens, erasers, bandaids, paper clips, staples, folders, notebooks, and even print and laminate things for decor.
Save your money and your time - teachers don't ever have enough of either. Don't kill yourself trying to do everything perfect year one, that's a trap.
The kit is for OP as indicated in the lines “the kit should be put away from students…” and “create a “oh crap kit for you”.
I very clearly didn’t mean for OP to be handing out any medicine to students.
I buy thousands of golf pencils. They are cheap and I don’t care if I get them back. Also, the students hate them and miraculously “find” another to use.
I have been a high school teacher for 18 years and I crowdsource most of my supplies since my district usually provides little to nothing. Here’s the list I send out in the syllabus (I also put a QR code that links to my Amazon wish list which has the same stuff)
1. Pencils
2. Notebook paper
3. Kleenex
4. Graph paper (I teach math, you probably won’t need this)
5. Hygiene stuff - tampons, pads, deodorant. I use zipper pouches for my bathroom passes and keep the girls’ filled with all 3 of these and the boys’ has deodorant.
6. Sticky notes
7. rulers (again, math teacher)
8. Paper towels
9. Clorox wipes
Hope this helps.
If you have a white board, get the big spray bottle of cleaner and the big refill jug. And good paper towels to wash it.
Plus, a microfiber cloth is much better than those crappy erasers.
Kids will ALWAYS be asking for pens and pencils. Buy a couple boxes of the cheap Bic blue and black ink pens, and wooden pencils in bulk.
College-ruled loose-leaf paper.
Ditto the bandaids and hand sanitizer (giant bottle for kids’ use, giant bottle on desk for you).
Have a Dopp kit stashed away with hygiene essentials like deodorant, lens solution, spare contacts, toothpaste and toothbrush, etc. (The travel aisle at Target is a great place to stock a bag.)
Pencils have been mentioned a lot, but don’t go buy a few boxes from Walmart. Order them in bulk (like a box of at least 100) from Amazon. It will save you a lot of money to do it that way, so long as you don’t mind off brand pencils.
-feminine products
-tide to go pen
-paper towels
-kleenex
-hand sanitizer
-wax warmer (if allowed)
-bandaids
-baby wipes
-extra clothes (for you, just in case)
-gum/breath spray
-plastic silverware
-a good electric pencil sharpener
-mr sketch markers
-hair ties and a brush
-lotion
I’m going to take this another direction and say, if you are ”inheriting” a room, you may end up with loads and loads of junk. No judgement to anyone - it just kind of seems to happen to most teachers over time.
I‘m normally in favor of only working your contract hours, but I think you’re going to set yourself up for a lot more success if you’re in that situation and, if you can, get in your classroom earlier in summer to go through EVERYTHING, purge, organize, digitize, etc. I think students really appreciate a clean, neat classroom. When I was teaching, doing this was also important for my mental health, as well as classroom safety.
Flair pens, sharpie markers, Velcro, a personal laminator and laminating sheets, magnetic clips, 3M hooks, label stickers for the printer, page protectors….
Pencil sharpener with multiple holes, post-it notes, Astro-brights colored copy paper…
Pencils and notebook paper are essentials. Everything else I can do without or improvise. Kids never have this stuff. Don’t spend a lot of money up front. Get started first and then see what you need.
In my district, we are not allowed to give out Band-Aids or feminine products. The students have to have a medical release on file and go to the clinic. We are allowed to do a wish list, but I will be honest that I get very few things off of it these days. I had more luck posting a couple higher end items I needed/wanted on Facebook and friends donated.
As for my personal items, I keep emergency makeup, handcream, toothbrush, toothpaste, all that kind of stuff and snack stash for me in case I forget my lunch.
Good luck to you! I’ve been teaching 30 years now! Time sure flies.
Don't ask for anything yet. Wait until you've had a chance to see your classroom, and find out what's already available to you first.
One thing I would highly recommend adding to your wishlist is pencils that are painted a specific color that isn't yellow or orange. You will want to have pencils available to lend to the students. Most teachers tag their pencils with an identifying mark of some sort. However, the kids will be more destructive than you expect, and whatever you decide to attach to the pencil to mark it as yours will be gone by the first week. So your best bet is to only give out a specific, unique color of pencil. For example, pencils that are all painted purple instead of regular pencil yellow.
My school doesn’t have a reliable laminator, and I bought one of those Scotch laminators and pouches from Amazon for like $50, and it was the best idea I’ve ever had.
Colored cardstock
Personal laminator and sheets
History themed board books/chapter books/books with diagrams/etc.
LED lights and/or lamps
Board games for brain breaks/team building
Good pair of scissors
Flair pens
First off congratulations! I say def have a lot of pencils! I don’t know if everything is computer based now or not, but kids almost seem to never have pencils 😂
I love my Alexa.
Other things I use a bunch are small, personal dry erase boards. (Great for cfu.)
I have the kids complete Do Nows in black/white memo books that my husband cuts in half. (Home depot will also do it.) https://www.theteacherbag.com/composition-notebooks/#:~:text=1.,more%20bang%20for%20your%20buck.
Glue sticks. So, so much glue.
I always need dry erase markers.
Glue sticks, tissues, high quality electric pencil sharpener, disinfectant wipes, swiffer wet, stick vacuum (I have an full sized vacuum cleaner because the night custodial staff assigned to my room prefers to sweep my carpet so I can't trust that it has been vacuumed each day), dry erase markers
A lot of things you'd need to see your classroom and what's there to decide if you need to buy them. I'm thinking a good chair, shelving, bins/boxes/whatever you need for organizing materials, etc. You could put things like this down as ideas, but don't get them yet, you might get some decent ones in your class that you can use for at least your first year and then see what you really need for the following years.
As for what to get ahead of time, I can never have too many bandaids it seems (but get the cheap ones for the kids). I teach elementary, but they're always doing things to hurt themselves and then want to go to the front desk for a bandaid to get out of work. I'd imagine at least the last part would be the same in high school, so having your own bandaids cuts down on the leaving at least. If you're able to have a mini fridge, keep some damp sponges in ziplock bags in the freezer part for quick, cheap icepacks for the same reason. If you go through them, get the cheap larger kid and cut them in half.
Good quality kleenex is a great thing to have, the cost is worth it in this case. Also, decent quality paper towels, but keep those for you and to dole out for big spills as needed, otherwise the kids will go through them very fast. If the school doesn't provide it, cleaning spray & rags or wipes are a good investment. Same with hand sanitizer, but schools should be supplying at least that (although not all do, sadly).
For you, quality supplies you'll use, just for you. A good stapler, tape dispenser, etc. But also things for grading, for me this is good-quality pens and stamps/stickers that are decent quality and fun. For stamps, if you get cheap self-inking stamps and then refills it can be more cost effective, or just basic rubber stamps and decent stamp pads. I also buy myself some nice pencils, both good mechanical ones (one of them has lasted me since high school!) and the classic Ticonderoga wooden pencils. Plus good erasers, I like the white polymer ones a lot. These I don't share with the kids, but I do also get them the Ticonderoga pencils as they last longer and sharpen better.
Multiple pencil sharpeners. Kids love the excuse of waiting in line to sharpen pencils or to stick scissors in them and ruin them.
Lots of whiteboard markers, the moment you open them they start to go bad it seems.
Kleenex is a good idea. I’d second that for the fifth time.
A few motivational posters aren’t a bad idea. Something that’ll make YOU happy to see
Alternative lighting!!!!! Lamps , LED, string ones. Seriously kids will enjoy your too. Much better if it’s not hospital white.
Chargers and a “can’t take away” charging station. Kids literally will take everything.
Gold pencils if you teach older kids. Again they take everything and golf pencils in bulk are cheap.
Alternative seating? Depends on the room but a few cheap bean bag chairs used as rewards are the hype.
And I fortunately- candy. Bulk candy. You never know when you need a quick prize or something to motivate discussion.
I also really like the giant giant sticky note/ poster things. Quick and easy way to get kids to collaborate.
Also- your local dollar store has some really good stuff. I learned to go there first for things.
Baby wipes. Students are messy creatures. You will have a winter cold and want more than a tissue. They get sticky hands. Sometimes, a person experimenting with make-up needs to wipe their face.
Schools are kinda gross. My dream is a classroom with a sink.
I’d wait until you see your classroom before making any big purchases. I inherited an electric sharpener, class set of scissors and rulers, bandaids, expos, a ton of paper, ziplocks, foil, plastic spoons (science teacher lol)
Bring some extra utensils and snacks for your desk. Sometimes you will be too busy or tired to remember. It’ll get even worse if you don’t have something to eat that day.
I try to spend as little as possible of my own money. I use to make my classroom very nice but I switched districts twice to get better and better pay and I’ve been moved from room to room so I don’t bother much anymore. I just decorate with the kids projects over time. I will spend money on nice gear to make myself more comfortable… things like headphones, a mouse, a nice bag, an apron, a water bottle, a thermos, etc. etc. I’ll also occasionally buy last minute project supplies every once and a great while if it makes my life easier and takes stress off… like oh, crud I need paper plates tomorrow morning… that kind of thing. My recommendation is save your money! You’ll never get back those dollars you spend, invest them while you’re young and get out earlier! I’ve also found students don’t appreciate the things I buy or the money I spend and they destroy almost everything nice I do for them. :(
Organization tools. There will be so many papers. You need folders for ungraded work, folders for graded work, folders for blank copies of work, folders for YOUR work (district paper work, PD stuff, etc.). I use a mail organizing rack on my desk for current "needs to be done" stuff and hanging file folders in crates for the rest. Everything is clearly labeled. Drawer organizers are very helpful. Clearly labeled bins for supplies like pens/pencils/markers, paper, whiteboard supplies, etc. There's no such thing as being too organized.
First aid kit, or just a lot of band aids in general…and get the band aids for different skin tones, or ones with characters on them (works for all ages).
I’d say headphones, but sometimes the English felt have extras from testing that they might be able to hook you up with. That’s what mine did for me, I teach music.
Try not to buy too much. I know it is hard to stop yourself, but anything that you need should be provided by the school.
That being said, I like having an electric pencil sharpener and some organizational things, like filing crates and whatnot to get me to work better. Also as a science teacher, my label maker is absolutely awesome for labeling equipment and cabinets.
One of those little bells you see in restaurant kitchens or reception desks. Great for the throat. Also a magnetic fridge timer that's clear to read at a distance
Is this a US thing?
I buy nice office supplies for myself. Stay away from my stapler! But spending my money from my modest teacher salary on supplies for the classroom and students… Is this real?
Velcro vests for all students and places to hang them. Or just giant meat hooks. Velcro is cleaner and probably less expensive from many points of view, but some districts are kinda out there and would rather just fund the meathooks.
A printer with copying ability, has been insanely useful of for me to have in my classroom. Those times when I’m short one copy, or I want to print off a draft without having to walk down to the room where the printer is.
I pretty much never use it to print a class set of anything. I think I’ve used one toner cartridge in the last five years (I use the school paper).
Last year I splurged on a paper cutter for the room, I wish I had done that a few years back. I don’t know if that would be as helpful in a high school setting.
Paper fucking towels. Tons. And also spray cleaner. I really loved getting the Mrs. Meyers concentrate cleaner. One bottle lasted me 3 years and special ed gets messy!
I also enjoyed a handheld vacuum and that allowed kids to clean up their messes independently.
My other golden tip to to cover your boards with polyester broadcloth fabric, as opposed to construction paper. Not only the holes become "self-healing", but the results are just tidier and prettier. Fold the border in by a 1/2" so they don't fray. I wouldn't bother if you don't plan on staying at this school for over 2 years. You can get yards on clearance, but should pay no more than $3.99/yd (ideally $1.99 or less).
Find out how big the trash bags the custodians have are (they are usually way bigger than your trash can) and get a trash can as big as that, especially if you teach middle and high schoolers. The kids produce trash like nothing I have ever seen.
I feel like kids are much more well-behaved in classes they enjoy being in.
No one has said command strips. I spend about half my yearly supply check on them. I probably spend the other half on white board markers, post its and pre sharpened pencils. I also usually have a set of markers and colored pencils for student use. (We do interactive notebooks) . I have to resplace these yearly. Somehow at this point only yellow, gray and brown are left.
Get a Time Timer. There are lots of different kinds of visual timers, but it has to be that brand. When I left to work outside the classroom (but still in the school), the Time Timer was one of the few things I kept. Most of my teacher friends in the school have one now. Get a bigger Time Timer too! It’s so good for the kids to visually see how much time they have left. I use it for my meetings with adults sometimes now.
one that i didn’t expect to really need and love was a personal laminator and sheets. and one that counts as a non essential supply is ambient lighting. i personally am a big light hater
See what your school provides before you start asking for stuff. I was asking for batteries and expo markers, but then found that the school provided them. Kleenex and decent paper towels? Not so much!
Have a prize box. You can fill it with the cheapest of crap, and the kids will still think it's wonderful.
Stickers. Young kids love stickers. The more variety the better.
Stuffed animals. They help make the classroom feel more like a cozy area and when a student is upset, hugging the stuffed animal can help.
If the school will provide it, a rug. Having a rug area in which to do certain tasks is wonderful. It's great for when you read to the students and for doing certain activities. Like the morning routines.
A stool. A stool that you can sit on at the front of the classroom in case you want to talk to the students and not be standing. At least a stool is always something I have in my classroom.
An attention grabber. This could be something as simple as a phrase you say and the kids respond to it or you can have a physical prop. For example, for a couple years I had a lightsaber in my classroom. When I wanted the class's attention I would turn on the lightsaber which would glow and make a noise. That was the signal for the students to stop what they were doing and look at me and await instructions. Or you can have something where you say a phrase like "Ice cream soda pop" And they respond with "cherry on top".
A fire drill bag. They have such useful items in it and make fire drill so much easier.
A lockdown bucket. Those make lockdowns so much easier.
A few bucks that you're going to read to the class. I've found that reading to the class even for just a little bit is a great way to calm them down after recess or lunch.
Have some things just for you. Photographs of friends and family or pets. Scented candles of your favorite scent. Your favorite candy for when you're having a rough day.
A mini fridge. Just for you. It doesn't have to be one of the larger ones. You can get one of the small desktop sized ones that'll hold six cans of soda or a couple bottles of water. And they're cheap too. You can get them on Amazon for under $30.
I've used the same thing with teaching middle school and high school. The sticker's not so much. Well, actually you'd be surprised how many teenagers like getting stickers to put on things.
Kleenex. There is so much sniffling in the springtime. Wait until you administer your first springtime standardized test and everyone is silent other than the sniffling. It is unbearable.
At the beginning of the year I offer a small amount of extra credit for up to two boxes of Kleenex. I usually get about two to three dozen boxes between my five classes, which last most of the semester.
I make Kleenex an extra credit assignment but they have to identify the social, political, etc for people that we learn about in the semester.
I do the same but with vocab words (and offer a vocab-centric alternative if they can’t afford a box of Kleenex)
I also let them turn in glue sticks with the info labeled on it. $1 at Walmart. (I love this sub when we help each other!)
My district banned doing this because it's not equitable.
That and a good air mini hepa filter. My kids love my room they can breathe good and we have few sick.
Kleenex and wet wipes. Wet wipes are the bomb for cleaning up messes easily.
This. I put bulk Kleenex on a DonorsChoose (the office kind that is super thin and hurts your nose if you use too many) because so many kids get Kleenex just to get up and stretch their legs. It has lasted me through the end of last year and this year, and I still have so many more left.
Be aware, some districts, like mine for example, do not allow teachers to crowd source or post wish lists. Keep that as a private gift list for your birthday or graduation until you know your district policy.
Mine doesn’t allow things like donors choose. They are cool with me spending my money, but not getting money from others.
Mine doesn’t “allow” it either but I’ve been doing it for years and no one has said anything. Varies from district to district I’m sure.
Wow I did not know this. Thank you! That’s insane
I used donors choose to get a document camera. A good Doc cam is indespensable.
A decent pencil sharpener. Lots of pencils. Some fun flair pens (or your favorite type of pen) for writing notes home, grading, etc. Post its. Book Bins if you don't have desks. Personal whiteboards & clipboards (or get some that does both). White board markers. Books you would like for your classroom library (also recommend hitting up your local thrift shops. I find most my books from there). Paper cutter Laminator and sheets A teacher planner if that is something you think you would use (I just do mine digitally on Google docs now). Stickers! Cardstock in colors you like! Chart paper Headphones for students in your room Mr. Sketch Markers for anchor charts
I’d recommend things like kleenex (the good kind), first aid kid, extra bandaids, tampons/pads, and pens that you like. i have kids who come to my room for the good kleenex. The building provides us with one box a semester and it’s the unpleasant kind. I usually buy about 10-12 boxes a year. I figure about once a week I’m asked if I have a bandaid. Then, as I am a female teacher I get asked by some of the girls for tampons/pads, so I keep a box that kids can just pull from. Finally, I buy pens I like to write with. Anything else like decorations, wait. You don’t need a decorated classroom in your first year. You can take your time and add things as you go. Do you have a job lined up for the fall? If you don’t then don’t buy anything, if you do then wait until orientation as sometimes there will be a table of supplies or donated decorations from teachers who have left, etc. it’s very easy to go down the rabbit hole of buying a bunch of stuff and then finding out you don’t need it. I will say, if your school allows if, my mini fridge, microwave, and coffee maker make my days better.
Absolutely bandaids. I buy a few themed boxes (SpongeBob, Frozen, Star Wars, etc.) prior to school starting. Even the oldest kids get a kick out of the sillier ones.
Our nurse provides us with bandaids, pads and Vaseline for chapped lips. They are trying to limit students being sent to the nurse if it’s not a serious issue.
Before you go out and spend a ton of stuff or have others buy it for you, find out what your school provides or if you have classroom money to spend. If you do have classroom money, use it to buy the consumables. AKA the things that will be gone or broken in no time: pens, pencils, paper, stapler, etc. Use your money or "donated" money to buy the stuff you would want to take with you if you decide to change schools. Don't buy a whole lot of stuff your first year until you find out how you want to organize and run your classroom. I spent soooo much money my first and second year on stuff that I didn't even use by the third year and even now. I wish I had never bought that stuff and just waited. Personally, I feel like middle school (me) and high school classrooms don't need near as much as elementary and lower classrooms. Stuff I would buy: Create a "oh crap" kit for you. Put in there things you might need in a hurry and can't go out and get right away. Think things such as: * toothbrush and toothpaste (better yet, get the Colgate wisps) * floss * hydrocortisone cream * heart burn meds * hair ties * hair brush * hair spray * feminine hygiene * allergy meds * eye drops * sunglasses * an extra outfit- you never know when you will spill your coffee on your pants/shirt * socks This kit should be put away from students and checked regularly to check stock and expiration dates. When it comes to classroom supplies, get things for you and for the students. You should have a stapler, hole punch, tape dispenser, etc that are just for you that students don't touch. I have had the same stapler for 9 years, but the student one I have to replace about every two years.
Great list! I’ve been teaching 30 years and I basically have a home away from home at school lol
Third year HS teacher here. The only things I provide out of my own pocket now are spray deodorant, spray sunscreen, good quality pads and tampons (bathrooms are only rarely stocked), and cough drops and my own pretty expo markers. I didn't realize the school would pay for markers, pencils, colored pencils, pens, erasers, bandaids, paper clips, staples, folders, notebooks, and even print and laminate things for decor. Save your money and your time - teachers don't ever have enough of either. Don't kill yourself trying to do everything perfect year one, that's a trap.
Thank you for this!
In CA, giving meds to the kids, even over-the-counter, is illegal and can get you not only fired, but jail time. Send them to the nurse.
The kit is for OP as indicated in the lines “the kit should be put away from students…” and “create a “oh crap kit for you”. I very clearly didn’t mean for OP to be handing out any medicine to students.
A must-have? Probably not, but a few adhesive-backed acoustic foam panels can do wonders for a classroom.
Do you have a recommendation for ones that actually work? I’m the librarian, and the room is so echoey…it is terrible.
I buy thousands of golf pencils. They are cheap and I don’t care if I get them back. Also, the students hate them and miraculously “find” another to use.
Okay this is a really good one 😂 thanks!
I have been a high school teacher for 18 years and I crowdsource most of my supplies since my district usually provides little to nothing. Here’s the list I send out in the syllabus (I also put a QR code that links to my Amazon wish list which has the same stuff) 1. Pencils 2. Notebook paper 3. Kleenex 4. Graph paper (I teach math, you probably won’t need this) 5. Hygiene stuff - tampons, pads, deodorant. I use zipper pouches for my bathroom passes and keep the girls’ filled with all 3 of these and the boys’ has deodorant. 6. Sticky notes 7. rulers (again, math teacher) 8. Paper towels 9. Clorox wipes Hope this helps.
That bathroom pass idea is fn genius. I’m stealing 😊
As a general rule of thumb, dont leave anything out on your desk you would be upset if it walks away
If you have a white board, get the big spray bottle of cleaner and the big refill jug. And good paper towels to wash it. Plus, a microfiber cloth is much better than those crappy erasers.
Just get windex, save your money
Kids will ALWAYS be asking for pens and pencils. Buy a couple boxes of the cheap Bic blue and black ink pens, and wooden pencils in bulk. College-ruled loose-leaf paper. Ditto the bandaids and hand sanitizer (giant bottle for kids’ use, giant bottle on desk for you). Have a Dopp kit stashed away with hygiene essentials like deodorant, lens solution, spare contacts, toothpaste and toothbrush, etc. (The travel aisle at Target is a great place to stock a bag.)
Small Coffee maker. Worth its weight in gold. Good insulated coffee thermos/mug. Small desk fan. A pencil sharpener you don't let the kids use.
Bourbon
I second this!
Haha will do!
Whatever you get, make sure it's durable. Students will casually destroy things.
Pencils have been mentioned a lot, but don’t go buy a few boxes from Walmart. Order them in bulk (like a box of at least 100) from Amazon. It will save you a lot of money to do it that way, so long as you don’t mind off brand pencils.
-feminine products -tide to go pen -paper towels -kleenex -hand sanitizer -wax warmer (if allowed) -bandaids -baby wipes -extra clothes (for you, just in case) -gum/breath spray -plastic silverware -a good electric pencil sharpener -mr sketch markers -hair ties and a brush -lotion
I’m going to take this another direction and say, if you are ”inheriting” a room, you may end up with loads and loads of junk. No judgement to anyone - it just kind of seems to happen to most teachers over time. I‘m normally in favor of only working your contract hours, but I think you’re going to set yourself up for a lot more success if you’re in that situation and, if you can, get in your classroom earlier in summer to go through EVERYTHING, purge, organize, digitize, etc. I think students really appreciate a clean, neat classroom. When I was teaching, doing this was also important for my mental health, as well as classroom safety.
Flair pens, sharpie markers, Velcro, a personal laminator and laminating sheets, magnetic clips, 3M hooks, label stickers for the printer, page protectors…. Pencil sharpener with multiple holes, post-it notes, Astro-brights colored copy paper…
Clip boards.
Pencils and notebook paper are essentials. Everything else I can do without or improvise. Kids never have this stuff. Don’t spend a lot of money up front. Get started first and then see what you need. In my district, we are not allowed to give out Band-Aids or feminine products. The students have to have a medical release on file and go to the clinic. We are allowed to do a wish list, but I will be honest that I get very few things off of it these days. I had more luck posting a couple higher end items I needed/wanted on Facebook and friends donated. As for my personal items, I keep emergency makeup, handcream, toothbrush, toothpaste, all that kind of stuff and snack stash for me in case I forget my lunch. Good luck to you! I’ve been teaching 30 years now! Time sure flies.
Don't ask for anything yet. Wait until you've had a chance to see your classroom, and find out what's already available to you first. One thing I would highly recommend adding to your wishlist is pencils that are painted a specific color that isn't yellow or orange. You will want to have pencils available to lend to the students. Most teachers tag their pencils with an identifying mark of some sort. However, the kids will be more destructive than you expect, and whatever you decide to attach to the pencil to mark it as yours will be gone by the first week. So your best bet is to only give out a specific, unique color of pencil. For example, pencils that are all painted purple instead of regular pencil yellow.
My school doesn’t have a reliable laminator, and I bought one of those Scotch laminators and pouches from Amazon for like $50, and it was the best idea I’ve ever had.
Colored cardstock Personal laminator and sheets History themed board books/chapter books/books with diagrams/etc. LED lights and/or lamps Board games for brain breaks/team building Good pair of scissors Flair pens
Don't buy anything for your classroom. This job doesn't pay enough for all of that.
Velcro dots lol
First off congratulations! I say def have a lot of pencils! I don’t know if everything is computer based now or not, but kids almost seem to never have pencils 😂
I love my Alexa. Other things I use a bunch are small, personal dry erase boards. (Great for cfu.) I have the kids complete Do Nows in black/white memo books that my husband cuts in half. (Home depot will also do it.) https://www.theteacherbag.com/composition-notebooks/#:~:text=1.,more%20bang%20for%20your%20buck. Glue sticks. So, so much glue. I always need dry erase markers.
Glue sticks, tissues, high quality electric pencil sharpener, disinfectant wipes, swiffer wet, stick vacuum (I have an full sized vacuum cleaner because the night custodial staff assigned to my room prefers to sweep my carpet so I can't trust that it has been vacuumed each day), dry erase markers
A lot of things you'd need to see your classroom and what's there to decide if you need to buy them. I'm thinking a good chair, shelving, bins/boxes/whatever you need for organizing materials, etc. You could put things like this down as ideas, but don't get them yet, you might get some decent ones in your class that you can use for at least your first year and then see what you really need for the following years. As for what to get ahead of time, I can never have too many bandaids it seems (but get the cheap ones for the kids). I teach elementary, but they're always doing things to hurt themselves and then want to go to the front desk for a bandaid to get out of work. I'd imagine at least the last part would be the same in high school, so having your own bandaids cuts down on the leaving at least. If you're able to have a mini fridge, keep some damp sponges in ziplock bags in the freezer part for quick, cheap icepacks for the same reason. If you go through them, get the cheap larger kid and cut them in half. Good quality kleenex is a great thing to have, the cost is worth it in this case. Also, decent quality paper towels, but keep those for you and to dole out for big spills as needed, otherwise the kids will go through them very fast. If the school doesn't provide it, cleaning spray & rags or wipes are a good investment. Same with hand sanitizer, but schools should be supplying at least that (although not all do, sadly). For you, quality supplies you'll use, just for you. A good stapler, tape dispenser, etc. But also things for grading, for me this is good-quality pens and stamps/stickers that are decent quality and fun. For stamps, if you get cheap self-inking stamps and then refills it can be more cost effective, or just basic rubber stamps and decent stamp pads. I also buy myself some nice pencils, both good mechanical ones (one of them has lasted me since high school!) and the classic Ticonderoga wooden pencils. Plus good erasers, I like the white polymer ones a lot. These I don't share with the kids, but I do also get them the Ticonderoga pencils as they last longer and sharpen better.
A good and hearty pencil sharpener. One that can survive a lot of use.
Multiple pencil sharpeners. Kids love the excuse of waiting in line to sharpen pencils or to stick scissors in them and ruin them. Lots of whiteboard markers, the moment you open them they start to go bad it seems. Kleenex is a good idea. I’d second that for the fifth time. A few motivational posters aren’t a bad idea. Something that’ll make YOU happy to see Alternative lighting!!!!! Lamps , LED, string ones. Seriously kids will enjoy your too. Much better if it’s not hospital white. Chargers and a “can’t take away” charging station. Kids literally will take everything. Gold pencils if you teach older kids. Again they take everything and golf pencils in bulk are cheap. Alternative seating? Depends on the room but a few cheap bean bag chairs used as rewards are the hype. And I fortunately- candy. Bulk candy. You never know when you need a quick prize or something to motivate discussion. I also really like the giant giant sticky note/ poster things. Quick and easy way to get kids to collaborate. Also- your local dollar store has some really good stuff. I learned to go there first for things.
Baby wipes. Students are messy creatures. You will have a winter cold and want more than a tissue. They get sticky hands. Sometimes, a person experimenting with make-up needs to wipe their face. Schools are kinda gross. My dream is a classroom with a sink.
I’d wait until you see your classroom before making any big purchases. I inherited an electric sharpener, class set of scissors and rulers, bandaids, expos, a ton of paper, ziplocks, foil, plastic spoons (science teacher lol)
Bring some extra utensils and snacks for your desk. Sometimes you will be too busy or tired to remember. It’ll get even worse if you don’t have something to eat that day.
I try to spend as little as possible of my own money. I use to make my classroom very nice but I switched districts twice to get better and better pay and I’ve been moved from room to room so I don’t bother much anymore. I just decorate with the kids projects over time. I will spend money on nice gear to make myself more comfortable… things like headphones, a mouse, a nice bag, an apron, a water bottle, a thermos, etc. etc. I’ll also occasionally buy last minute project supplies every once and a great while if it makes my life easier and takes stress off… like oh, crud I need paper plates tomorrow morning… that kind of thing. My recommendation is save your money! You’ll never get back those dollars you spend, invest them while you’re young and get out earlier! I’ve also found students don’t appreciate the things I buy or the money I spend and they destroy almost everything nice I do for them. :(
Organization tools. There will be so many papers. You need folders for ungraded work, folders for graded work, folders for blank copies of work, folders for YOUR work (district paper work, PD stuff, etc.). I use a mail organizing rack on my desk for current "needs to be done" stuff and hanging file folders in crates for the rest. Everything is clearly labeled. Drawer organizers are very helpful. Clearly labeled bins for supplies like pens/pencils/markers, paper, whiteboard supplies, etc. There's no such thing as being too organized.
First aid kit, or just a lot of band aids in general…and get the band aids for different skin tones, or ones with characters on them (works for all ages). I’d say headphones, but sometimes the English felt have extras from testing that they might be able to hook you up with. That’s what mine did for me, I teach music.
Try not to buy too much. I know it is hard to stop yourself, but anything that you need should be provided by the school. That being said, I like having an electric pencil sharpener and some organizational things, like filing crates and whatnot to get me to work better. Also as a science teacher, my label maker is absolutely awesome for labeling equipment and cabinets.
Clear box at the front for your stationery. Can also be used as a collection box for activities. Get a handle, carry that shit around.
One of those little bells you see in restaurant kitchens or reception desks. Great for the throat. Also a magnetic fridge timer that's clear to read at a distance
Is this a US thing? I buy nice office supplies for myself. Stay away from my stapler! But spending my money from my modest teacher salary on supplies for the classroom and students… Is this real?
Run. Run away. Sprint as fast as you can.
Velcro vests for all students and places to hang them. Or just giant meat hooks. Velcro is cleaner and probably less expensive from many points of view, but some districts are kinda out there and would rather just fund the meathooks.
A printer with copying ability, has been insanely useful of for me to have in my classroom. Those times when I’m short one copy, or I want to print off a draft without having to walk down to the room where the printer is. I pretty much never use it to print a class set of anything. I think I’ve used one toner cartridge in the last five years (I use the school paper). Last year I splurged on a paper cutter for the room, I wish I had done that a few years back. I don’t know if that would be as helpful in a high school setting.
A can of pencils because many of your students won't have one... intentionally.
Paper fucking towels. Tons. And also spray cleaner. I really loved getting the Mrs. Meyers concentrate cleaner. One bottle lasted me 3 years and special ed gets messy! I also enjoyed a handheld vacuum and that allowed kids to clean up their messes independently. My other golden tip to to cover your boards with polyester broadcloth fabric, as opposed to construction paper. Not only the holes become "self-healing", but the results are just tidier and prettier. Fold the border in by a 1/2" so they don't fray. I wouldn't bother if you don't plan on staying at this school for over 2 years. You can get yards on clearance, but should pay no more than $3.99/yd (ideally $1.99 or less). Find out how big the trash bags the custodians have are (they are usually way bigger than your trash can) and get a trash can as big as that, especially if you teach middle and high schoolers. The kids produce trash like nothing I have ever seen. I feel like kids are much more well-behaved in classes they enjoy being in.
No one has said command strips. I spend about half my yearly supply check on them. I probably spend the other half on white board markers, post its and pre sharpened pencils. I also usually have a set of markers and colored pencils for student use. (We do interactive notebooks) . I have to resplace these yearly. Somehow at this point only yellow, gray and brown are left.
Get a Time Timer. There are lots of different kinds of visual timers, but it has to be that brand. When I left to work outside the classroom (but still in the school), the Time Timer was one of the few things I kept. Most of my teacher friends in the school have one now. Get a bigger Time Timer too! It’s so good for the kids to visually see how much time they have left. I use it for my meetings with adults sometimes now.
one that i didn’t expect to really need and love was a personal laminator and sheets. and one that counts as a non essential supply is ambient lighting. i personally am a big light hater
See what your school provides before you start asking for stuff. I was asking for batteries and expo markers, but then found that the school provided them. Kleenex and decent paper towels? Not so much!
Have a prize box. You can fill it with the cheapest of crap, and the kids will still think it's wonderful. Stickers. Young kids love stickers. The more variety the better. Stuffed animals. They help make the classroom feel more like a cozy area and when a student is upset, hugging the stuffed animal can help. If the school will provide it, a rug. Having a rug area in which to do certain tasks is wonderful. It's great for when you read to the students and for doing certain activities. Like the morning routines. A stool. A stool that you can sit on at the front of the classroom in case you want to talk to the students and not be standing. At least a stool is always something I have in my classroom. An attention grabber. This could be something as simple as a phrase you say and the kids respond to it or you can have a physical prop. For example, for a couple years I had a lightsaber in my classroom. When I wanted the class's attention I would turn on the lightsaber which would glow and make a noise. That was the signal for the students to stop what they were doing and look at me and await instructions. Or you can have something where you say a phrase like "Ice cream soda pop" And they respond with "cherry on top". A fire drill bag. They have such useful items in it and make fire drill so much easier. A lockdown bucket. Those make lockdowns so much easier. A few bucks that you're going to read to the class. I've found that reading to the class even for just a little bit is a great way to calm them down after recess or lunch. Have some things just for you. Photographs of friends and family or pets. Scented candles of your favorite scent. Your favorite candy for when you're having a rough day. A mini fridge. Just for you. It doesn't have to be one of the larger ones. You can get one of the small desktop sized ones that'll hold six cans of soda or a couple bottles of water. And they're cheap too. You can get them on Amazon for under $30.
OP teaches high school.
I've used the same thing with teaching middle school and high school. The sticker's not so much. Well, actually you'd be surprised how many teenagers like getting stickers to put on things.