10 Must-Have Student Supplies

Last week I wrote about must-have teacher supplies, so this week I feel the need to write about must-have student supplies. Students at my school come back this week! In only a few short days students will, again, be walking down the halls, chattering in the cafeteria, and back in our classrooms.

As much as I wish we were supplied with everything we need to start the school year along with enough to last the whole year, unfortunately, that is not the reality. Sometimes we are lucky enough that our district provides a bit of money for supplies, our parents are generous, or our Amazon wish list/Donor’s Choose/other gets fulfilled. If you haven’t done the latter, give it a try. You can include many of these items on one of these platforms. Just make sure you follow your district’s crowdfunding guidelines. Check out my post on ways to build a classroom library on a budget. Many of these can be used for school supplies as well.

And now here is the list of must-have student supplies. To qualify for the list, these items are typically not found on a school supply list.

1. Highlighters– Sometimes this one is on a school supply list, but it’s best to have some on hand anyway. They get used often! Highlighters can be of use for any subject and be used for multiple purposes.

2. Dry Erase Erasers– Usually dry erase markers are on the list, but not erasers. This is one you can create cheaply or for free. This past year, I used socks that had lost their matches. You can, also, use makeup pads or car wash mitts from the Dollar Tree. I found some cute ones on Oriental Trading for this year!

3. Small Dry Erase Boards– You don’t need this one every year, if you get ones that are good quality. I have bought ones from the Dollar Tree with the handle yearly and given them to the student at the end of the year. Then, I switched to a higher quality board that I have been able to reuse for a few years and, hope, to get several more years out of them.

4. Sentence Strips– I have had this one provided by my school in the past, so I’d check on that before purchasing them. Sentence strips have many uses besides writing, including stapling around student heads to make different kinds of hats/crowns!

5. Matching Plastic Folders- Usually folders are on the school supply list, but I prefer my take-home folders to be the same color and be the plastic ones. So, I buy a class set of folders. Some years I get the ones with prongs, other times not. It’s up to you which one you choose. These are best purchased at back-to-school time with deals at stores like Walmart or Target.

6. Hole Punchers– I like to have at least a few handheld hole punchers. These can be used for different activities and strenghten fine motor skills at the same time. I’ve used them in centers, for making crafts, and sometimes the students just like to use them for fun!

7. Playdough– I always have cans of playdough on hand. If you don’t want to buy it, you can easily make it. Click here for a recipe. Playdough is versatile and is a great hands-on tool for math or reading. It’s, also, good for indoor recess and cool-down areas.

8. Small Mirrors- This one is more for PreK-2, for sure. These will be used during reading, whole or small group. They are used for students to view themselves forming sounds of letters and words. This is a tool that you can use to help students correctly make sounds, correct incorrectly produced sounds, and notice their own errors. I got mine by searching on Amazon.

9. Manipulatives- They can be anything small that students can move around. Unifix cubes, chips, colored counting bears, foam shapes, mini-erasers, etc. Many math curriculums provide some type of manipulative for students use. If not, be sure to get some. You could, even, chop up construction paper into little squares. These will be used during math and reading.

10. Smelly Stickers- This one isn’t really a supply, but my students love them! I get a giant pack of smelly stickers from Lakeshore Learning and they sometimes last for a couple years! I put them on graded papers, and give them out occasionaly when we’ve had an amazing day. I’ve, even, used them as a calm down tool.

Extra: Incentive prizes-If you choose to have a prize box, don’t forget to stock up on some small trinkets to fill it up. I tend to use items discarded by my own children first before purchasing things. Then, I go to Oriental Trading and get items such as mini-slime, tattoos, super balls etc. I, also, place snacks in there as well. I don’t use candy, though.

Many places run back-to-school sales with discounted school supplies. Check your local ads. Because of this, it is best to stock up on your needed items at the beginning of the school year and get enough to last the whole year. It saves money in the long run!

Furthermore, always plan to get a least a bit extra of student supplies that you need one for each student. That way you have enough for new students that come in during the year!