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Hey teachers! There are posts everywhere that share the “must-haves” in terms of special education classroom supplies. I have a few “musts” that are more unconventional! Without these items, I simply could not survive day-to-day in my classroom. Shopping for your classroom is often the unfortunate reality for teachers. While these items have been hugely helpful in my classrooms over the years, never feel pressured that you MUST have these items to provide the best instruction to your students. All you need for that is YOU!
Essential Oils & Diffuser
Essential oils are said to promote productivity, boosted immune systems, relaxation, focus, and more. Why not try it out in the classroom? My students LOVE our diffuser, and I truly believe the benefits as I’ve watched oils transform my classroom before my very eyes!
Magic Eraser
Ever been looking at your small group table only to see some unidentified sticky substance? Ew. (And I know we’ve all been there.) Or how about spending HOURS laminating task cards, only to have it virtually impossible to get them clean from dry erase markers? Insert Magic Erasers! They literally are MAGIC. They take off everything from grime to PERMANENT marker!
Typing Stand
These are THE BEST solution for center instructions – or their true purpose – a typing stand! I use these every day to display instructions or guidelines that students need at small group tables. They are also great for rotations – displaying the “name” of the center (think: “Go to to the Math Center!” and having that displayed on the typing stand).
Industrial 3 Hole Punch
There’s nothing worse than spending weeks writing a detailed IEP and BIP to print it out and spend 30 minutes hole punching it to add to a student binder. What about having copies of prompting guides or curriculum that you NEED condensed into a binder? These industrial 3 hole punches can take up to 40 sheets of paper – literally a time saver.
Non-Stick Scissors
These scissors are a little more mainstream for a “must have” list – but they really are just THAT revolutionary! These scissors will cut through anything, like stickers or sticky-back Velcro without getting that horrible gummy coating. Long are your days of reluctantly asking your para to use Goo Gone on your “Velcro scissors” – thank God!
Skin Tone Crayons
Between coloring goals and endless classroom crafts, we are always going through crayons like crazy! When coloring, we are often asking children to color pictures of people or create self-portraits, but what happens if you don’t have the correct color to match every students unique skin color? Multicultural crayons are a great way to start the year off having every color available so every child feels included and ready to participate safely and comfortably. These are a must on your special education classroom supplies list!
Cordless Hot Glue Gun
Say it with me: cinderblock. Our worst nightmare! While I believe walls in the classroom should be fairly clear of distraction, there are some items that really must be hung, especially in the younger grades. Cinderblock walls tend to hate any kind of tape, and I have been in a fight with cinderblock since my first year of teaching while trying to hang up an alphabet line. Glue guns are the best – hot glue really does help items stick to evil cinderblock. Having a cordless hot glue gun is even a better perl – you’re not limited to a short cord!
Plastic Tool Chest
Worried about losing picture icons? Need a place to store edible reinforcers? Trying to organize all of your themed mini-erasers? Want all of your desk/office supplies in their own spot? These plastic tool chests are amazing for organizing everything you need! On TeachersPayTeachers you can find labels that are perfect for sticking on each drawer for the common versions of these tool chests! Here and here are two of my favorites.
Painters Tape
This is one of the most used item in my classroom – who would have thought? Painters tape won’t pull paint off of your classroom walls (every custodians worst nightmare), and it’s great for adding lines to the floor for boundary boxes or visuals for lining up. It doesn’t leave as much residue as using duct tape, and it’s blue which makes it pretty easy for visually seeing it!
Wireless Doorbell
These were all the rage a few school years ago, and once I tried it out, I understood why! This is such a simple way to notify your class of transition times like clean up, center rotations, line up, etc. Just clip the button portion to your pocket or lanyard, and you can choose from TONS (I’m talking around 50!) of chimes to notify your students. Saves your voice and makes attention-getting super simple!
What are your special education classroom supplies that are MUST haves?
