School supply shopping is a time of year that teachers both dread and love. You need to restock for the school year to provide the best classroom experience.
For teachers, there’s nothing more fun than decorating your classroom to be a fun place of learning that will help your students stay focused while they work.
When buying supplies for the school year, you need to prepare yourself for all situations.
You need to decorate your classroom, ensure you have stationery ready and have games and books available for recess.
That’s why we’ve compiled this guide to help you organize your classroom shopping list by category and explain why these are so essential for you to have.
By the end of this article, we’re confident you’ll know exactly what you need and have the best ideas to get the best price for your items.
But first, let’s talk a little bit about the different supplies that you’ll need to think about when you’re shopping.
Student Supplies
Every student needs supplies, and it’s up to you whether your students can bring them or rely on a community of supplies.
Keep in mind if you have students buy their own items, they can get attached to them. While a community supply can be good to have on hand, some parents may have bought supplies specifically for their kids.
So, keep that in mind when you’re considering what your students should buy and what you should too.
Pencils
Colored Pencils
Erasers
Crayons
Markers
Watercolor Paints
Pocket Folders
Folders with Prongs
Spiral Notebooks
Composition Notebooks
Binders
Dividers
Glue Sticks
Liquid Glue
Clipboards
Individual Dry Erase Boards
Bookmarks
Pencil Case
If you’re getting your students to bring their own items, you should allow them to choose a pencil case to hold their pencils and other supplies.
Likewise, you can set specific rules about notebooks or allow students to pick one that showcases their own individuality. This might not be the best idea if you plan on going with community supplies.
Teacher Supplies
Every teacher needs their own selection of supplies to keep in the classroom at all times. However, these should be kept separate from the personal items you bring into the classroom.
We’ve included a selection of personal supplies you should bring into your classroom below, but this section will encompass everything you need for yourself and your students.
These items are essential to ensure that your classroom is running smoothly, and they can also encourage your students to work harder.
By investing in treats to reward your students, they will learn that the harder they try, the more likely they will be rewarded.
Some items are also essential to ensure that you won’t worry when you have staff meetings.
Classroom Essentials
Every classroom also needs general essentials to keep up and running. You want to have supplies for both you and your students to use.
These supplies will ensure that you have everything you need for students to write or draw on or keep their classwork and homework organized once you’ve marked them.
Pens
Pencils
Sharpies
Markers
Highlighters
Chalk
Liquid Chalk
Flair Pens
Loose Leaf Paper
Drawing Paper
Copy Paper
Electric Pencil Sharpener
Binder Clips
Paper Clips
3 Hole Punch
Handheld Hole Punch
Index Cards
Scissors
Guillotine Paper Cutter
Paper Trimmer
Sticky Notes
Rubber Bands
Envelopes
Correction Fluid
These supplies are perfect for when you need your students to organize their work for their folders. They’re also handy to keep in the classroom in case your students forget any of their supplies on the day.
Classroom Decor
You want to teach your students in a nourishing environment, and the best way to do that is by decorating your classroom in a welcoming way.
You can also create comfortable areas for your students to relax when they finish their work early.
Likewise, it’s essential that your students have specific areas to put their personal items in so they know they’re in a safe place.
Name Plates for Students’ Desks
Name Tags for Students’ Lockers
Pillows
Corner Rounder
Area Rugs
Bulletin Board Trim
Contact Paper
Die Cut Letters
Pocket Charts
Fadeless Paper/Fabric for Your Bulletin Boards
Pinking Shears
If your students can put their supplies in a safe space, you’ll find that they’re more excited about coming to school.
Ensuring that your students will have environments to relax when they’re feeling overwhelmed can also increase their productivity.
Consider how your classroom can make your students feel more welcome at school.
Item Organization
We recommend investing in storage space to keep your students’ work or hand in homework assignments.
These are also the best options when you need to keep your students’ items all in the same place.
You can also ensure that your work materials and worksheets are in an area where students will know where to look when they need them.
Homework/Classwork Collection Bins
Buckets/Bins for Library
Plastic Caddies for Community Supplies
Plastic Drawers
Hanging Crates
Zip-Top Bags (Snack/Sandwich/Gallon-Sized Bags)
Labels
File Folders
Hanging File Folders
3 Prong Folders
Binders
Page Protectors
Dividers with Tabs
Adhesive Tabs
Organizing your items before the semester begins is a great way to ensure that you know where to find each item.
You can acquaint yourself with the layout and ensure that your students always know where to look to find a specific item.
Math Supplies
Not all of your students will enjoy math, while others may love it.
So, if you want to make your math lessons easier to understand or make them more fun for all students, we recommend investing in a few items.
These are a few essential items that you will need to make math exciting.
Rulers
Counting Items
Place Value Blocks
Pattern Blocks
Linking Cubes
Plastic Links
Coins
Clocks
Balance Scales
Hundred Charts
Playing Cards
Color Tiles
Two Color Counters
Dominoes
Abacus
Cuisenaire Rods
Dry Erase Boards
Value Charts
Flash Cards
Geometric Solids
You can make math more interactive with these items, and you can offer resources for students who may struggle with numbers.
So, you should keep these resources on hand to ensure that you can make your lessons engaging for them all.
Art Supplies
We recommend you buy art supplies not only for art classes, but some of these are also great for other lessons too.
Focus on buying a variety of supplies, and consider letting your students use some of these for science and other subjects.
Paint
Brushes
Oil Pastels
Construction Paper
Card Stock
Scrapbook Paper
Egg Cartons
Pipe Cleaners
Popsicle Sticks
Yarn
Googly Eyes
Tissue Paper
Clay
Feathers
Glitters
Styrofoam Trays
Magazines for Cutting Up
These items are perfect for keeping in your classroom when you need them. Not only are these supplies helpful to keep on hand, but they’re also versatile, and your students can use them for other activities.
Extra paper is also helpful to keep on hand if you have an indoor recess and your students would prefer to do artwork instead.
Adhesives
You may be wondering why adhesives have a specific section, and the truth is that teachers need adhesives for everything.
Not only should you have some on hand for crafts projects with your students, but you’ll need them to decorate your classroom.
Tape
2 Sided Tape
Painter’s Tape
Velcro Tape
Packing Tape
Electrical Tape
Washi Tape
Duct Tape
Staples
Stapler
Staple Remover
Adhesive/Mounting Putty
Hot Glue Gun
Hot Glue Sticks
Mounting Squares
Command Hooks
Push Pins
Always keep different types of adhesives on hand because you’re never sure when you’re going to need them.
Of course, you won’t need all of these adhesives, but having a list can help you determine what would be best for you and your students.
Items For Recess
Recess is the perfect time to let your students release their pent-up energy from sitting down and concentrating for so long.
However, not every recess will be the same, and you need different items depending on the weather.
Indoor and outdoor recesses have different needs, and you should ensure you have the right products available to ensure your students can do what they want.
Games
Puzzles
Coloring Books
Drawing Books
Beads and String
I-Spy Books
Legos
Building Toys
Arts and Crafts Supplies
Books
Balls
Jump Ropes
Hula Hoops
Whistles
Sidewalk Chalk
These are only a few examples of what you’ll need when your students are working in the classroom.
There are many different games and puzzles you can find for your students, and you could also use this time to encourage them to be creative and work on something fun.
Many students find different activities fun, so consider each of your students when you’re coming up with a plan for recess.
Cleaning Supplies
While your school will have its own cleaners, you will need cleaning supplies. After all, students can be messy, and anything can go wrong.
We recommend investing in some basic cleaning supplies and encouraging you and your students to clean up when they’ve finished working.
Paper Towels
All-Purpose Spray Cleaner
Rags
Sponges
Bucket
Baby Wipes
Chalkboard and Whiteboard Cleaner Spray
Contractor Bags
Donation Boxes
You can make cleaning fun for you and your students by including it at the end of certain lessons.
Another way to make it more enjoyable is by using different cleaning products, such as shaving cream, for cleaning desks. The foam can be a great way to encourage your students to get involved.
Basic Supplies For Health
Many teachers have a member of staff who is certified in first aid, but it never hurts to keep supplies available for when you need them.
A first aid kit and other hygiene products are essential to ensure that your students remain healthy.
Other items are generally helpful to have when your students may be coming down with a cold or showing minor symptoms.
Tissues
Antibacterial Soap
Hand Sanitizer
Antibacterial Wipes
Lysol Spray
Bandaids
Ice Packs
Having these items will ensure you prepare yourself if your students find themselves injured in some way.
We recommend always keeping track of the items you need and also encourage students not to come in if they’re feeling sick.
However, if, for any reason, your students are showing minor symptoms, it can be a good way to keep some control of any seasonal illnesses.
Personal Items
Your classroom is also your space, and you may also want to have your own items in the staff room.
You will be spending the majority of your time in your classroom, so we recommend bringing in some items from your home to ensure you feel comfortable.
Coffee Mug
Lunch
Bottled Water
Snacks
Dorm-Sized Fridge
Family Photos
Flowers
Painkillers
Feminine Hygiene Products
Lotion
Chapstick
Deodorant
Hairbrush
Hair Ties
Cough Drops
Spare Change of Clothes
Not all items are essential when you’re working, but it’s always helpful to keep a supply on hand.
If you have a busy day, you might not always be able to escape the classroom to have lunch, so you should ensure that you have a way to keep your lunch fresh.
How To Save Money When Shopping For Your Classroom
Now that we’ve offered you a selection of items you will need for your classroom, we should give you a few tips on how you can save money.
If you’re new to teaching, you may feel overwhelmed while you’re looking at this list. If so, we’ve got a few tips to help you be economical with your purchases.
Plan Your List
Before you get caught up in your shopping, you should ensure you make a list of what you need first. You don’t need all the items on our list, and you should find items that fit your lessons and budget.
Consider your items by what you need first, then plan an inventory for your other sections.
If you were teaching last year, consider what supplies you need to stock up on and what you can recycle and reuse. Once you know what you need, make your list and plan your budget.
Don’t Buy Everything At Once
When you’re shopping for classroom supplies, we recommend searching for items that you know you will need for your classroom.
When you make your list, consider checking when the sales are for each item you know you need. You can cross each item out as you purchase each one.
We recommend also checking out online stores to find which deals will offer you the best price.
Use Shopping Apps
We mentioned how you should look online for items too, and you can always use shopping apps to find price comparisons.
Some shops like Walmart will use apps to compare their prices with your competitors and pay you back the difference.
Many apps target their competitors’ prices to ensure that their customers remain interested in their products.
However, this won’t work if you’re looking for a specific item that you can only buy in that store. Generally, we recommend shopping apps to save you time while you’re shopping.
Plan Ahead
You know that every year you need to buy new classroom supplies for your new year of students. So, you should plan ahead and buy items you know you’re going to need.
If you’re buying a composition notebook for your own writing, consider getting more while you’re already out.
You know that you’re going to need them, so feel free to invest in them, so they’re ready before the summer rush begins.
Always Keep Track Of Inventory
We recommend always keeping track of your inventory of supplies. Not only do you need these for tax purposes, but they’re also perfect for when you need to buy next year’s products.
You can keep track of inventory by keeping your receipts in a folder and stapling them together, so you know when you need to purchase more.
Don’t Impulsively Buy Something
While we recommend purchasing items when you’re already purchasing them for yourself, we don’t recommend impulsively buying something.
You need to set up your budget first, and impulsive purchasing of your supplies will endanger your budget.
Keep your money in an envelope so you know what you can spend. If you don’t need to go shopping, stay out of the stores, or they may tempt you to buy something for your classroom that isn’t necessary.
Talk To Your Colleagues
If you get along well with your other teachers, we recommend working with them to buy your supplies in bulk.
Buying in bulk can save you and your colleagues money, and it’s always a great way to communicate with your fellow teachers and get advice.
After all, not all teachers will buy supplies from the same place, and they may know something you don’t.
Talk To An Accountant
Another factor to consider is to see if you know an accountant who can help you figure out what you can use as tax deductions.
You should see if your state also offers a tax-free shopping weekend in August, and if they do, consider getting your supplies then.
Your accountant will be able to help you find where you can save money and how.
How To Organize Your Classroom Supplies
When you start the new school year, you need to consider the different supplies that your students have also bought into class.
Depending on if you choose community supplies or individual supplies, you may need to determine how best to organize them.
However, we’ll discuss which one is your best option to ensure your students look after them.
Individual VS Community Supplies
You’ve no doubt noticed that we recommend using individual supplies instead of community supplies.
While community supplies are a great way to teach your students how to share with one another and look after their things, it doesn’t necessarily go according to plan.
Students are naturally more inclined to look after their own supplies than community supplies.
Students tend to treat community supplies worse than individual supplies, as students don’t see how much they cost.
However, because they know that they can’t always replace their supplies, they’re more likely to take care of them.
Label Everything
Not every teacher labels their students’ supplies. However, this eliminates the issue of which student owns what and can help stop arguments before they happen.
The best way to do this is by collecting your students’ items in paper bags at the beginning of the semester. Keep an eye on which student owns what, and put their name on everything.
When we suggest labeling everything, we suggest you label all of their markers, pencils, and other arts and crafts supplies. Don’t forget to label the caps too.
While you might not think it’s necessary, many students will argue over caps too. Instead of only focusing on the items they use, remember that they will appreciate the efficiency of your classroom.
Store Away Extra Supplies
If you’ve got any extra supplies, consider putting these in a cupboard, so you know where they are.
Not all students will remember their items every day, and items can get lost. Having extra supplies in the cupboard will ensure that all students have the equipment they need at the end of the day.
The Best Way To Collect Student Supplies
When you need to collect your student’s supplies, it can feel like a challenge. After all, you don’t want to mix everything together.
To avoid complicating everything, we recommend collecting brown paper bags from the grocery store and putting them on each student’s desk.
Leave a note on it to tell them to place their items from the supplies checklist into the bag.
Instruct all your students to put their supplies in the bag. Once you collect them, wait for the kids to go home and start organizing their supplies so they can find them in their lockers or caddies.
If you’re labeling them, remember to label each item. If you can, consider bringing a volunteer in to help you organize each of the supplies.
If you’re using community supplies, you just need to place your items in the right place so that your students will know where to find them.
Once you’ve completed the task, store these brown paper bags away in a cupboard, as you never know when they’ll next come in handy.
Final Thoughts
It can feel overwhelming when you’re organizing not only your students’ supplies but your own too.
It’s essential that you know what you need and when to buy your items. With the help of this list, we hope you won’t have any trouble organizing what items you need.
If you were struggling to decide between community supplies or individual ones, we hope you were able to find this guide helpful to you.
If you need any more teaching inspiration, feel free to check out our other articles to help you get the best classroom experience.
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