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Time for back-to-school! Say, what? I know, it doesn’t feel long enough does it? I go back to work Wednesday and as much as I have enjoyed summer, I know it’s time. And I love my position as reading interventionist, I really do. However, this year, just like others before it come with its own set of changes and I’ll admit, I’m a little nervous about them.
But, to take away some of those nerves, I am thinking about what new supplies I want and need to purchase for this year. Students don’t get to have all the fun! And I want to share this list of my 10 must-have teacher supplies to get you excited about creating your list, too!
1. Flair Pens- Teachers all around me seem to have a strange obsession with flair pens. I didn’t know what I was missing out on until I received a pack as a gift. These are the best pens! They write smoothly and don’t smear or bleed through paper. You can get them in a rainbow of colors. I use them for correcting work and for writing notes. I have seen good deals on these lately including at Walmart and Sam’s Club, if you’re a member.
2. Mavalus Tape– I only just tried this tape last year and I am so glad I did! You can buy it in different widths and colors. I got white because I wanted to use it to hang up alphabet letters. I had read that it is the best tape for getting things to stick on concrete walls. With using it last year, I did have a few items fall with temperature changes in my room, but overall the tape held it up. It, also, comes off easily.
3. Colored Masking Tape– Mavalous tape can get a bit pricey, so if you choose not to get colored of that, be sure to get some type of colored masking tape. I chose this route. I got a package of several different colors and I use them ALL the time. I mark the floor with it and label items with it. It comes off the floor cleanly and is easier for students to see. And my students like using it, too!
4. Staple Puller Stick- I am on my second one of these. Way better than the traditional claw staple remover for pulling out staples. Save your nails and get one of these!
5. Sharpie Flip Chart Markers- They are bright and colorful for students to be able to see the writing on the flip chart from the back of the room. They don’t bleed through and have low odor, I don’t even smell them.
6. Black Sharpie Markers– I definitely go through a few of these every year. These are the best for labeling notebooks, folders, supplies, etc. I tend to use my black sharpie on a daily basis and I’m sure you will, too!
7. Sticky Notes– I love fancy sticky notes! Sticky notes of different colors, shapes, and sizes. I use them to mark pages in my teacher editions and place notes in them, to leave notes for subs/helpers, leave myself reminders, and more.
8. Page Marker Tabs– These get used daily as well! I mark pages in my teacher manuals, binders, and read-alouds. These come in different sizes and colors, too.
9. Page Protectors- I tend to run out of them every year. I use them in binders to protect my original copies/printouts of pages. I, also, use them in student folders. I’ve done it different in years past. One was in the student’s writing folder with a proofreading checklist and alphabet sheet, another year it was to hold a take-home book. Furthermore, I use them for student activities because students can write on them with a dry erase marker and it will come off.
10. Cardstock- Cardstock is not usually provided for use at school, so I always purchase a package or two of my own. It has been used with sentence strips to create crowns/hats for students, crafts, book covers, etc.
Bonus Teacher Supplies
1. Colored Copy Paper- Most schools will have this if you use the district print shop. Unfortunately, you have to turn what ever you need copied with a certain amount of advance time to get it back. I don’t usually have time to take advantage of this, so I like to buy a few packs of colored copy paper for printing notes that go home to parents.
2. Laminator Pouches- This is only if you have a personal laminator. My school doesn’t have a hot laminator, so I purchased a laminator last year. Am I the only one who loves that lamination smell and slicing through freshly laminated pages?
3. Crayola Dry Erase Markers- My school often supplies us with dry erase markers, Expo usually, however I got a free sample of a Crayola one and it did not disappoint. It seemed to last longer and write smoother than the Expo markers. I want to invest in some this year.
4. Book Binder Rings– These come in many sizes. I like the slightly smaller size. These aren’t an every year must-have, but I use them frequently. I use them to make rings of cards. Some are for me, like short assessments I can flip to on a ring to show to a student, and some are for student use, like sending home sight words to practice.
Once I got started on this list, I got a bit carried away and couldn’t stop at only ten teacher supplies. And guess what, I’m more excited about school starting than I was before! And next week I’ll share about must-have student supplies. Because even though I know parents send in school supplies with their students, I know we provide supplies for students, too.
