New Teacher Essentials
So you're a new teacher- congratulations! Get ready for the most rewarding, and maybe most difficult thing you've ever done. But, to make it a little easier, we've come up with a list of essentials you'll want to start your career on the right foot!
Check out our blog post on picture books every classroom needs! No matter the grade you teach, picture books are great for teaching social-emotional lessons as well as mini ELA lessons.
A rug is the heart of the classroom- whether you teach kindergarten or 5th grade. But, the kind of rug could make a difference. If you're teaching K-2, you'll probably want a rug that has separate spaces for each students. For example, squares, numbers, or circles you can assign to each student. My first year of teaching 2nd grade, my students would argue every time they went to the rug because they wanted to sit in the front. Eventually, I bought a rug with squares and assigned them spots- this worked out SO much better and saved my classroom management.
However, once I started teaching 4th grade- they didn't need assigned spots anymore. So any rug would do for them. Use your judgement to decide what kind of rug will work for your classroom.
You'll want to spend most of your time on the rug with your students or walking around your classroom. But for the end of a hard day, you'll want a comfortable chair you love to sink down into.
This is our favorite pencil sharpener. Don't forget to teach your students the procedure for using it!
Clipboards are something you don't realize you need until you're having your students work around the room and they have nothing to write on (trust us- we've been there). Pro-tip- clipboard with the flat clip (like the ones linked) are so much easier to store.
Dry Erase Boards and/or Dry Erase Pouches
In my opinion, these items are essential for teaching math. I have a place for both in my classroom, but you may have a preference for just one. I Love the templates so you can stick a worksheet inside and write on top- eliminating the need for too many copies. It's also great for practice- so you can rework problems over and over if needed. A cheap alternative would be to use page protectors with a piece of white cardstock (or a worksheet) inside.
These are handy for handouts, fliers, task cards, art projects, etc. You will use it more than you think!
If you don't have one provided by your school, you are going to want one in your classroom and/or at home. Check out our blog post on HP Instant Ink. This is the most affordable way we've found to print, especially in color!
We got one of these and thought we wouldn't use it much- we were SO wrong. One of the most underrated gifts, this laminator is used weekly. Use it for signs in your classroom, task cards, bulletin boards, anything you want to save for the following year.
A wireless mouse will help you work faster at entering those grades and taking attendance.
Do yourself a favor and get a new pack of pens. You'll be using them all the time and having a fresh pack of your favorite pens will give you a little pick-me-up.
An essential part of any upper elementary/middle/high school classroom. It's easy to forget until you need it!
Make sure to have a couple of staplers and at least one that opens up fully for all of your bulletin board stapling needs!
I didn't think scissors made much of a difference until I snagged these. These are my FAVORITE scissors and make cutting so much easier!
Tape Dispenser/Tape and Small Paperclips/ Large Paperclips/ Binder Clips
Essential!
Dry Erase Markers/ Pencils/ Kleenex/ Hand Sanitizer
Whether they are on the school supply list or not- you simply can never have too many of these things.
Honestly... you cannot have too many Command Strips. Any size, any shape, hooks, etc. They are pricy, but these are the best for hanging things up in the classroom, especially on cinderblock walls. We've tried everything and these have the best chance of staying!
Classroom Decor
I don't know about you but this is so intimidating for me! I'm so indecisive about the decor aspect of my classroom. I would start by looking at Pinterest and Instagram for ideas. I like to follow tags based on what I want my theme to be (#farmhouseclassroom, #rainbowclassroom, etc). You don't need a theme, but finding some kind of inspiration to help you form a vision can be very helpful. An Amazon Prime membership comes in handy for things like bulletin board paper and borders. I like to get things shipped directly to my school so I don't have to worry about hauling things back and forth. Stores like Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and Mardel are helpful for last minute items. Then, grab a Sonic drink, throw on some music, convince someone to help you and jump right in! Don't stress yourself about getting it all done before the first day of school. The best advice someone ever gave me was that the students don't know the vision you had for your classroom. They accept it how it is when they walk in! You can always add to it later. I've even been known to throw up "Classroom Under Construction" signs on unfinished parts. You've got this!
Now.... how do you get all this for your classroom before your first paycheck?! It's important to first find out what your school plans on providing. Some may give you some basics to start with, or at least a budget to spend. If not, it's intimidating to set up a classroom for the first time, especially when you're working with a very limited budget. Thankfully, there are resources to help.
- DonorsChoose: This website works to connect teachers who need items with community partners willing to donate. We fund a lot of high dollar items for our classroom using this site.
- Amazon Wishlist: Simply making an Amazon wishlist and sharing it on social media can get you more than you realize. Your friends and family want to see you succeed and many people are willing to help a local teacher, one item at a time!
- Adopt a Teacher: Our community runs an "Adopt a Teacher" program each summer where teachers make a wishlist and a community member can adopt them to help them fulfill some or all of their needs. See if there is anything like this where you live, or consider asking a business if they'd like to adopt and sponsor you on their own!
- Retired Teacher/Garage sales- We've gotten a lot of things for our classroom from teachers who have retired or by shopping those early morning Saturday garage sales.
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