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Lists of school supplies are often crayons, markers, scissors, glue, and loose leaf paper. Yeah, we need all of that. But what about the other necessities we need for our classrooms to run like well oiled machines? For me, it’s more than those run of the mill, typical school supplies. I often make a wish list of the items we go through that are a little less intuitive unless you’re a fellow teacher. I know we all have our classroom staples, but do you want to know mine? Here are the 5 school supplies I literally cannot live without.
1.) Clothespins
I use clothespins literally every single day. I like hanging up student work by twine with clothespins because it doesn’t damage the work (no staple holes) and makes a really cute display. I do this in hallways and inside my classroom. It makes changing displays in and out so simple, even a student can do this as an early finisher task. I also use clothespins as ways students can show their answer on task cards! It’s a great fine motor component and makes clean up a breeze. Wiping off dry erase marker from laminated task cards is more tedious than you realize (or maybe you also learned the hard way?). Clothespins are cheap and you can often get them donated or find them at garage sales.
2.) Magnetic tape
Us teachers know that changing up tiny aspects of a common task can make ALL the difference in student engagement. That’s why magnetic tape is one of those school supplies I literally can’t run out of! Word and picture sorts are suddenly more fun if I add magnetic tape to the back and students sort on the side of a file cabinet. You can also make sorting and matching activities a new experience when you put them on a cookie sheet! Pro-tip: test the cookie sheets in store before buying, some of them aren’t actually magnetic!
3.) Washi tape
One of the cuter school supplies I always have on hand is washi tape. It sticks easily but comes off SO smooth from laminated paper. I use these as an alternative to clothespins on laminated task cards. Students rip off a piece of washi tape and stick it to their answer. It leaves no residue and is really easy to peel off. I have also used washi tape to section off my white board and on student desks/tables to designate areas.
4.) Binder rings
Binder rings are probably my most used school supplies. I use them for…everything? Well, that’s how it feels. Let me be a little more specific. I use binder rings to hold task cards together (kids can open the binder ring and remove the task cards if that makes answering them easier), to hold visuals, to add fidgets and visuals to my lanyard, to hold breathing mats/cards and hang them up in the hallway or calm corner, etc. Binder rings with small beads on them are also really simple and easy fidget tools for kids.
5.) Velcro coins
And last but certainly not least, Velcro coins. If you’ve ever tried cutting sticky-back Velcro strips into smaller pieces, you know why Velcro coins are the MVP. Long gone are the days of the labeled “Velcro scissors” (because they’re sticky and full of gunk). You deserve the Velcro coins! Splurge! It’s worth it! Velcro coins are essential school supplies for my setting because engagement is key. Having students participate with adapted books and puzzles with Velcro as way for students to show their answers.
What school supplies are the ones you simply could never part with? Do we have any in common?
