Ready, Set, SHOP: Back To School List Del Mundo
For a moment, let’s swallow those feelings of rage that can bubble up from time to time when we really think about why OUR money is going to buy THEIR school supplies, shall we? I’ll wait if you need a moment to chase all that rage with a sip of your cocktail.
(Pssstt…I didn’t hook you up with links because I figured teachers = best bargain hunters around and therefore, you will know where to go for the hottest deals in your area, no?)
* Pencils As many as you can get. Good old fashioned #2 pencils. Beware- don’t fall for the cheapy pencils with the crappy erasers!!
* Cap erasers I always like to start the year with these…I’d buy enough to give nor to everyone in September and then have some extras to randomly dole out.
* Dry erase markers. Two per child. I’d hand out one in September, one in February. The rest? $1 to purchase or bring your own. Mrs. Mimi does not equal your fairy school supply godmother.
* Pencil boxes I used to buy one for every child in my class. I know. I KNOW! You can totally hunt down a rad deal on these though and it’s worth it. No arguing over who has the cooler pencil case, no pencils jammed in the back of the desk (Thank you, Clean Desk Fairy!), no nothing. I also am a crazy woman and didn’t allow outside school supplies. Either your family donates them to the ENTIRE CLASS to use or you keep them at home. We don’t have time for getting worked into a snit because so-and-so has a super shiny pencil and you don’t.
* Four or five class sets of Two-pocket folders. I used these babies for everything. My friends got one for homework, one for writer’s workshop, one for science, one for social studies and I always like to have a few spares lying around.
* Scissors. If your school didn’t buy you a class set, they should be ashamed of themselves. But chances are you’ll have to pony up for these yourself, especially if you’re new. Hey, welcome to teaching.
* Crayons. I’m one of those teachers that bought a pack for every child. Because when I was a Mini, I hated sharing crayons with the d-bag who chewed off all the paper and then broke them. I took pride in my crayons…
* Small personal 100s charts. Obvi, this one is geared more for the small fries, but having one for everyone at their seats? Amaze-balls. I bought plastic ones that lasted fo-eva, but you could always print some out and laminate. Totally worth it.
* Composition notebooks. I used to request that parents send these in. GASP! I know. I actually asked them to donate to the cause. And you know what? Uber generous. It never hurts to throw a few of these on a list and ask. My rule? No names on supplies. They were donated to the entire class. I labeled them as necessary. Can you say, “control freak”?
Supplies to have around the room for your friends:
* Glue For me, glue at their seats = disaster. I had several bottles at the front for sharing. My rule of thumb, one bottle per every two kids. Sharing is caring!
* Glue sticks I happen to be of the opinion that glue sticks blow. But they do come in handy for certain activities.
* Pink erasers A lot of pink erasers. I used to leave these in a labeled basket at the front of the room. I’d put our room number on each one. At the bottom of the basket, I’d put a label that read, “There are ten erasers in this basket.”. They knew it. I knew it. Thieves beware. Why not give each child their own eraser? Because I wanted them to spend their time WRITING and not RUBBING A HOLE IN THEIR PAPER.
* Markers I always kept several sets (one for every partnership) on a labeled shelf at the front of the room. And, because I am a control freak who prefers children’s art done in colored pencil, getting to use the markers was similar to winning the lottery.
* Colored Pencils I had a HUGE class set of these babies. LOVED THEM. I would buy extra pencil boxes and fill them with colored pencils for tables to share.
If You Have Money Burning A Hole In Your Pocket:
* A class set of clipboards
* A small laminating machine
* A class set of small individual white boards
* A Label Maker * drool *
Supplies For Your Writing Center and Writing Bribery:
* Plastic Caddies Really Good Stuff has an amazingly drool-inspiring collection of bins, including plastic caddies. I bought one per table to store special writing supplies. I doled out these special writing supplies to tables that were rocking it…a lovely prize AND related to their work.
* Mini staplers I bought one for every table to be added to their caddies eventually.
* Tape I bought a lot of tape…so I could have one roll per table, a fancy dispenser with tape at the front of the classroom, and my own rolls around the room.
* Mechanical Pencils I dished these out as prizes for good work to be used during Writers Workshop and to be stored in the Writing Caddy.
* Smelly Erasers I gave these out as prizes to be added to the caddies as well. They were fancy and smelly and all the rage.
* Paper clips I gave some out for the caddies but had ho-jillions for myself around the room. Note: Always store your paper clips in some sort of bin or cup, otherwise they end of EVERYWHERE!
Fabulousness For Your Prize Jar:
We can’t forget the prize jar, or bin, or treasure box or whatever you call it. I was a fan of useful prizes, not toys. Because eventually the toys will annoy me or come out to play during math and then I’ll have to take them away which makes me feel like a total b*tch, so to avoid that particular shame spiral, I give out useful, yet fabulous, school supplies. Perhaps I’m just cultivating a whole new generation of office supply nerd….
Anyhow, I’d hit up the dollar aisle at Target, Oriental Trading online and Really Good Stuff to snatch up things like fancy pencils, smelly erasers, shiny notepads, cute puzzles, and cool rulers.
Things For A Fairly Rad Art Center:
Maybe your school buys you all this stuff, maybe they don’t. But hopefully, this list will help you fill in the gaps.
* Water Color Sets I love watercoloring. Love Love Love It. I tried to have at least one set of watercolors for every partnership and a few spares in storage.
* Oil Pastels (a.k.a. Cray Pas) So many fun possibilities for layering color, scratch art and watercolor resists. I heart arts ‘n farts.
* Construction Paper Large and small. No brainer, right?
* White drawing paper Large and small sizes. Again, duh.
* Water color paper If you’re feeling in the money.
* Brushes Large and small. One for every friend.
* Tepra paints
* Meat trays – I know, gross right? But they make fabulous palettes for paints!
* Pipe cleaners
* Popsicle sticks
* Yarn
* Beads
* Card stock
* Clay or play dough You can make your own….recipes are super easy to find on line.
Some Things To Think About:
* What are your storage needs? Plan before you buy when it comes to bins and other storage containers. Look around your room, make a list (whee!) and then hit up the dollar store, Target or Really Good Stuff online.
* What are you going to do for birthdays? Cards, crowns, special pencils? I used to have a basket of birthday read alouds and the child in question got to pick their fave for our read aloud that day. Whatever you decide to do, think about it NOW and buy what you need. Don’t say you’ll do it when a birthday comes up, cuz (newsflash!) you won’t have time.
* What are you going to do for a loose tooth? My answer was close my eyes, write a pass to the nurse and point at the door. But some of you may be more giving and want to have something ready for your toothless wonders. Again, decide now and buy it…you won’t have time for this crap as the school year really gets under way.
* What are some things to have in the room that make you smile? Remember, it’s your room too! Do you want to have a special coffee cup, lotion, chap stick….whatever you think will make your day easier and more pleasant. OH – and don’t forget to stock up on Tylenol and special “monthly” supplies to squirrel away in your closet!! (Sorry boys.)
And for the love of GOD, don’t forget to buy a planner!
Did I forget anything?? Feel free to add whatever in the comments section. Mrs. Mimi could always use a little help!
xoxo,
Mimi
Lisa
Also, did you put a timer, and I just missed it?
Lisa
I believe STRONGLY in clothing accessories:
http://yearseven.wordpress.com/2010/04/17/when-you-teach-how-to-use-rulers-dress-for-success/
and
http://yearseven.wordpress.com/2010/04/17/amazing-math-t-shirts/
Cristal
Great list!!! Your "If You Have Money Burning A Hole In Your Pocket" category is to die for!! Ha! 🙂
Rebecca
Fab list!
Don't forget the Costco-sized antibacterial hand gel! My Kinder teacher at one of my schools even has a song in Spanish about killing germs when she disseminates it. I wish I could remember it.
Morgan
I don't think I saw a timer either! I heart my timer big time!
Michele
As a new teacher, this list is just, well, FABULOUS!!! Thank you sooooo much – your blog rules!! <3
Mrs. Fawley
Awesome list! You definitely jogged my memory with a few items.
We have classroom bathrooms with a high shelf, so lots of us female teachers have been keeping "monthly supplies" in a gift bag on the shelf where no kids can reach!
Also, I stock up on a class set of the crayons, glue sticks, erasers (cap and pink) and pencils. I give these out as my students' Christmas gifts instead of a trinket or bookmark. Then their pencil box gets replenished, and I get to buy them in August when they're much cheaper!
Cathy
Two things I don't plan to live without this year are:
1. AquaNet hairspray- It will remove permanent marker from whiteboards, desktops, and pretty much any laminate surface. The faster it's applied to the "MISTAKE" the better it works.
2. Gold Bond brand hand sanitizer- Brande new- I just saw it and tried it on my last pass through WallyWorld, It is wonderful! Treat yourself and get some! Avoid "sandpaperhands" this year! It's a little pricier than the usual gel hand sanitizer but definitely worth it. MY plan is to use the usual stuff with kids and keep the GB for myself! A little selfish? Perhaps! But…we're worth it! Have a fabulous school year!
Casey Dawn
Ha! I'm sitting here in my classroom right now mentally checking off the items you shared! Thanks for sharing! I definitely laugh out loud almost every time I read your blog! Thanks for making being a teacher fun!
Cathy
Two things I try not to live (st school, anyhow!) without:
1. AquaNet hairspray-will take permanent marker off whiteboards, desks, and other laminate surfaces if applied as soon as possible after your MISTAKE is realized!
2. NEW THIS YEAR! Gold Bond has just come out with a hand snitizer that is like their lotion! It cleans your hands without removing the first three layers of skin by the end of the day. My plan is (here is where you will probably start to think I have no soul!)to buy a huge container of regular old hand sanitizer for the kids and reserve the "good stuff"(Gold Bond) for myself! Either way, it is great and a nice perk for yourself!
Have a fabulous 2010-2011 school year! 🙂
Cathy
Lauren
OMG Thank you!!!!! Last year I taught part time and had to share a room with 4 other teachers. This year I am full time, and have my own room, and I have been wracking my brain for what I need for the room. I have big (14-20yr old) friends, but a lot of this is still perfect for them! Thank you again!
Karie
All I can say is "WOW!" Great ideas! I am going to add the birthday story to my bag of tricks.
For birthdays I do a "birthday bag." The first day of school students write their names, birthdays and decorate a white lunch sack. I fill the sacks with a birthday pencil, homework pass, and bookmark (I usually add candy too, but the sugar high at 4th grade is tolerable). Domino's pizza gives us birthday coupons so I add those too. The birthday bags go in a cupboard IN ORDER and voila you're ready to go.
Mrs. H
OMG, after reading your list, all I can say is "Thank God I teach High School." But as one school supply lover to another, this post was a great read and gave me an uncontrollable urge to go to the office supply store.
Allysa
What a great, comprehensive list! Wouldn't it be nice if all the necessary school supplies just magically appeared in our classrooms at the beginning of every year? *Sigh*
I love reading your blog! You provide such great tips and insights which are especially helpful to young teachers!
Allysa
http://allysasmusings.blogspot.com/
Stu
I'll second the inclusion of a timer…
Also, my cousin (retired art teacher) invented a paint that was based on Shaving Cream. Essentially what she did was to mix powdered tempera paint with a big blob of shaving cream and let the kids "finger paint" with it. I used it a lot when I taught Reading Recovery for tactile letter practice and vocab building.
Mimi
The timer!!! Good save friends! Heart the timer.
J^3
DUCK TAPE!The color selection is amazing now. The black roll makes my antique desk look new.
Josh and Liz
Speaking of post-its… have you seen these:
http://www.3m.com/us/office/postit/labels/?WT.mc_id=www.post-it.com%2Flabels&gclid=CO6wmcbAsaMCFRhuswod-wQC3g
Hedgetoad
If you have walls like mine, the blue tacky dough is a hit/miss on posters. I read on the englishcompanion.ning about using a hot glue gun… I'm so trying it as soon as the floors are done in my room!
JenLM
FABULOUS list! Regarding covering bulletin boards, have you tried wrapping paper? It is much easier to manipulate than those massive rolls of plain colored paper, doesn't fade like those massive rolls of plain colored paper, and comes in all sorts of fun designs and colors!
RhyminMike
Wow, you truly are a "school supplies nerd!" Although I love the smell of school supplies in September, I do not go into a frenzied spasmodic condition over the glory that is blue tacky adhesive. Having said this, I LOVE your blog and your list is perfect! Keep up the fabulousness that you are and give us fellow teachers the laughs we need!
Blackberry26
socks! The cheapest dry erase marker eraser there is AND it doubles as a little storage for the marker!