50 Classroom Essentials

As we’re decorating our classrooms and preparing for the school year, there are a few essentials we need. As we run from dollar store to dollar store, let’s look at 50 things that every elementary school classroom could use.

FOR THE TEACHER:

1. Hidden Chocolate, Favorite Snacks, and Coffee Mug!
2. Laptop or Desktop Computer
3. Printer & Ink
4. Teacher Name
   • clearly displayed for all parents and students to read
5. Pencil Sharpener
6. Stapler
7. Hanging File Folder
8. Bins/Storage Containers
9. Magnetic Tape (for your visuals)
10. Hole Puncher
11. Pushpins
12. Red Grading Pens
13. Wall Plugin
    • this will help your room smell fresh and inviting (definitely a need after your students have been at recess)
14. Cough Drops, Vitamin C, & Tea
    • don’t miss this one!
    • this is a big help during flu season
15. Observation Journal
    • either hand written or typed out
    • allows you to document student/parent behavior and interaction

CLASS DECOR:

1. Class Calendar
2. Class Rules
3. Class Jobs
4. “Welcome” Sign
5. Name Tags
   • two sets (for desks and backpack hooks)
6. Backpack Hooks
7. Birthday Chart
8. Behavior Chart
9. Bulletin Boards
   • Fabric-for the background (does not rip and lasts much longer than paper)Letters-you can purchase these or cut them out yourself
   • Boarders
   • Characters-the best part, because you can create your own!
10. Reading Area Decor:
    • Pillows-colored to match your theme
    • Carpet-personally, I use a large towel because it’s cheaper and can easily be placed in the washer
    • Age Appropriate Books

FOR THE STUDENTS:

1. Prize Bin
   • something with a fun shape (like a treasure chest or ice cream cone)
2. Prizes for the Prize Bin
   • bouncy balls
   • race cars
   • erasers
   • bookmarks
   • stickers
   • other small items that you can easily make yourself or purchase at the dollar store
3. Student Birthday Gifts
   • make sure it’s something small that won’t cost you a lot and that you can easily prep ahead of time
4. Student Birthday Cards
   • write them out now so all you have to do is pull them out when necessary
5. Special Snacks for Students with Allergies
   • if you have a student in your classroom with specific dietary needs, ask the parent if they would be willing to supply snacks for their child (that way you can have them on hand for those last minute special occasions and birthdays in class)
6. First Day Good Notes
   • write them out now
   • give them to the students at the end of the first day of school
   • makes the student excited for the next day and gives them something to show off to mom and dad
7. Play dough
8. Individual Whiteboards or Chalkboards
9. Whiteboard Markers or Chalk
10. ABC Flashcards
11. Vowel Flashcards
12. USA Map
13. World Map
14. Large Foam Dice (for games)
15. Costume Clothes (to wear on special occasions)
16. Math Manipulatives (for counting)-simple, fun, and cheap like pom pom balls, corn kernels, Lincoln logs, etc.
17. Student Pocket Folders
    • labeled with “Return to School,” and, “Keep at Home,” sides
18. Journals/Notebooks
19. Binders
20. Erasers
21. Pencils
22. Markers
23. Crayons
24. Colored Pencils
25. Construction Paper