Must Have Teaching Supplies

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Home : 2005 : April : 9

Must Have Teaching Supplies
By teachfla

Every school is different in what they supply you, but I would focus on what YOU need first. While it sounds silly, I highly suggest you develop an organizing system for the themes and subjects you will teach. It can be as
simple as a file folder for each thing or binders with sheet protectors (my current system.) At my school we are always sharing ideas with each other (especially holiday fun sheets, worksheets for specific skills, etc.) It would have been great to have a place to put them during my first year. It took me two years to get out from under the piles -- learn from my mistakes!
Don't forget

to stock up on things to make you comfortable. I have Chapstick, a hairbrush, my favorite breath mints, Excedrin, tampons, deodorant, hot tea bags, coffee mugs, real spoons, forks, plastic plates, etc. in my desk. They just make life easier.

Also, buy lots and lots of plastic containers. You can use them to sort homework, divide your reading center by genres, store journals, contain math manipulatives, etc. I even use them to parcel out art supplies (four glues, four scissors, four patterns in each bucket -- stuff like that.) Buy lots of different sizes (there are uses for EVERY one) but I recommend Sterilite dishpans and clear sweater boxes since they are book/paper sized.

The last thing I'll tell you is to really consider your procedures. How often do you want them up sharpening pencils? What is the best way to tell you they need to go to the bathroom? See if your new principal will let you sit in with the third-grade lead teacher for the day. Look at room layout, ideas for how to organize, and tap her brain for ideas and methods that work at your school. Then go home and really think a day through. You will likely change a lot of your early ideas, but at least you'll have thought about them. Good luck. I love teaching my third graders.