These are a Few of My Favorite Classroom Things

The new school year is slowly approaching us! Eekk! Are you ready?! {I'm pretending to be}

Some of you have been asking about items I recommend getting for your classroom, so I created a list of my top 10 items I HIGHLY suggest you getting (and then some)! There's a ton more I suggest…but at least it's a start :) 

Before we begin, check with your school and inside your classroom to see what is provided, or what you can get with your teacher budget. Always make a list of supplies you would love to have donated by parents, and express the importance of the item you are asking for! Chances are they will send the items with their kiddos! 

1. A Super Duty Pencil Sharpener

Make sure you have THE best pencil sharpener ever (sometimes you have to buy the expensive ones)… and do not let your student use it! I only taught for 5 months and my students broke two of them within that short time (rookie mistake)! Make sure to have a very clear pencil sharpening procedure! A simple task like this can be a nightmare if you don't set a policy with your students! Check out Amazon for a good price on nice pencil sharpeners. 

2. Student Mailbox Center

It is so helpful to have an area where you can place papers that need to be sent home with students. I labeled my mailbox with my student's number with a binder clip , so they know exactly where to put their papers. I even have a system if students are done with a task they can help file with my persimmon, or if I have big kids who want to help me during their recess. 

*If you're interested in the one above, please contact me. My dad made mine!  #RoseWoodBlvd

3. Mini Whiteboards 

Sometimes you get lucky and have these already in your classroom… if you don't go to Home Depot. Home Depot has a thing called "Tile Board" (or something like that), and they will cut for you multiple times if you say you're a teacher…otherwise you only get one free cut if you're not a teacher. The board cost $15! I had mine cut 12x12, but you can do whatever size you prefer! Have students have whiteboards allows them to be engaged and it easier for you to easily see what they know. Winner winner chicken dinner! 

4. Reward System

I honestly have so many reward systems, and somehow they all tie into each other. The best way to get a hold of your classroom management is to have a reward system. Focus on the positive behavior people!   Some suggestions are a punch card that leads to a treasure box prize, Class Dojo Points, Behavior Clip Chart, Team Points…. etc.! Make it clear to students on how they can earn positive rewards! I got a plain treasure box from Hobby Lobby and painted to make it look fun for kids! 

5. A Desk Calendar

Go get a desk calendar to leave on your desk (no kidding)! It's so handy to jot down notes, dates, and numbers while your multitasking! It also helps me keep my desk clean because I need to see my calendar. It's pretty much a mind thing…but hey, it works for me and it could work for you! I got a super cute one at Target (of course).

6. A Paper Organizer- File, Grade, and Copy

Here's a fun fact about me… I'm not classified as OCD, but I am a clean freak! I hate piles of papers. I found this cute idea on Pinterest and of course made it. Once my students are done with something I collect it and put in the grade drawer… at the end of the day or week I open up the drawer and grab the papers and grade it! Same thing goes for all the drawers! You can find cute labels on TPT or they are super easy to make your own!

7. Center Organizers

I have only been in the primary grades where I have seen centers take place, but that doesn't mean you can't incorporate them if you are in the upper grades. If you haven't thought about incorporating centers, you need to! I love being able to work in small groups with students on goals that are set for the groups I place them in. Depending on how you want to set up will depend on how many "organizers you need". I got all my organizers from the dollar store. I use blue for reading, white for math…. If you don't like the colors they have to offer, spray paint them! Last year I had 8 centers for both subjects, with three students in each of them…but if you'd rather have fewer centers, than your groups will be bigger. Be wise on how you place your students in the groups! You want your centers to run smoothly, and without your assistance so you can work on the small group at that time. Try to schedule your centers when you have extra assistance in the classroom.

*I also recommend getting some type of cue that shows that you can't be bother during this time. I wear a princess crown that makes me invisible. This ensures I have quality time with the kids I am working with. 

*Students know where to go by the pocket chart I have in place for my centers. 

8. Homework Folders

No matter what your views are about homework… You should have some type of folder that is the "traveling folder" for your students. I found paper folders with prongs at Staples for 15 cents for the first 30! I always make sure to get them all in the same color, so I can easily ask students for their "blue" folder. My cooperating teacher had the best homework folder system I have seen, so I took this idea from her! On the front I label it with a cute sticker that says "Homework Folder", and on the top right corner their name and student number are on it. Every Friday when they are due I can easily go through and see which numbers are missing. On the inside I put a page protector in the prongs where I place a weekly newsletter for the parents. On the left side I put the homework, or items I need the parents to return. On the right side I put graded work that parents can keep. ( I label the pockets, so there is no confusion). 

* I also have a basket in my room where students place their homework folders if they finished that week early. It's a super easy procedure to teach your kiddos!

9. Community Stash Organizers

My students have their own set of crayons, glue, scissors, and etc…. However, I also have a "Community Stash" for them to use if needed. My students know that whatever is borrowed needs to be returned. I use the 8x11 drawer paper holders to organize crayons by colors. I got these shower basket holder things that went on sale after the dorm sales were over, that I place glue, markers, and what not.  At the end of the day when we clean up, if there are items on the floor no one claims, my students and I put them in the community stash. This way there's no waiting for someone to claim it. It also encourages students to check the floors before they leave so there stuff doesn't end up there! 

10. Pencils (Of course another organizer)

Even though you can order pencils from your school, you can never have enough it seems. Have fun pencils, plain pencils, whatever you want! A system that really works for me is the buckets of pencils where one is labeled "Sharp", and the other "Not Sharp". Students trade their pencil for a sharp one if it breaks. This eliminates them trying to sharpen it while your teaching, or complaining they don't have! Your job is to make sure that your bucket of sharpen pencils are enough! Again, I do not suggest having your students use your pencil sharpener. Again another system I took from my cooperating teacher is having students bring two pencils up in the morning to have sharpened (most the time it lasted the whole day). If  both break they have to go to the bucket to trade, or find a friend near them with a sharpen pencil. 

Random Shenanigans by Natalie (more stuff I suggest)

•   Scentsy Pot- Make sure to place in area your kids won't play with. Also find a scent that is light and won't be harmful to student's allergies. There are certain smells out there that actually can influence behavior. For example, lavender helps calm people down. 

•   Secret Teacher Kit- Make sure you have a bag or something to hold everything that can help you do your job better! For example, my go to kit has Advil, allergy medicine, bobby pins, hair ties, female products, lotion, deodorant, snacks, and etc. I even suggest bringing another pair of clothes to leave in your classroom/car. You never know when you might spill on yourself….or a horrific accident could happen with a student throwing up on you (it has happened to my friend before). Also bring sandals for those days where you stay longer and your feet hurt, or if you make the wrong decision of shoes. 

•   Ziploc bags of All Sizes- The perfect organizer for almost anything! Always check the dollar store! Or if you work with little ones, it's a great way to send home missing teeth!  ;) 

•   Lysol Wipes/Hand Sanitizer- Need I say more? 
 -  Fabric Bulletins/ Table Cloth/ Wrapping Paper- If your school allows to use fabric, I highly recommend making your bulletin boards with it! It last longer! Some schools you have to spray with fire spray (check out your policy first).  If you can't get away with it, go get a plastic table cloth or wrapping paper. I used wrapping paper that was on clearance at Hobby Lobby last year! Hobby Lobby has really thick wrapping paper and holds up pretty well! 

•   Carpet Square/ Rug /Duct Tape- Best way for students to sit on the floor and know their boundaries. Last year I used duct tape and it worked amazingly! This year I found carpet squares for each student super cheap at Treasures for Teacher! Remember to make sure you take them home and clean them every once in a while. 

I hope this helps you get started! What other items do you suggest?!