And, hey!...when shopping on Etsy, you are also supporting small business owners (many of whom are teachers!)
Ideas for Teacher Gifts: TEN Time-Saving & Unique Etsy Gifts!
Saturday, December 7, 2019And, hey!...when shopping on Etsy, you are also supporting small business owners (many of whom are teachers!)
BEST Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals for Teachers: Classroom Guide
Saturday, November 23, 2019Are you thinking about adding some flexible seating options to your space? Or, maybe you're thinking about taking on some DIY projects? Whatever your classroom needs are, this is a fantastic opportunity to get some bargains!
Check out the BEST Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals for Teachers 2020!
Teacher Supplies "Must-Haves": Ideas for Classroom Management and Organization!
Sunday, October 13, 2019Preparing for your first year as a teacher? Or, maybe you are a seasoned teacher looking for new items to spice up your room?
Regardless of your experience, there are some standard classroom supplies and resources you'll want, to ensure you and your students are in the learning groove!Check out my FAVORITE and most "necessary" items. These are all items I use and love!
Ten Must-Haves for Any Elementary Classroom:
Hopes and Dreams: Creating Student & Community Goals. First Six Weeks of School!
Saturday, August 3, 2019Looking for a way to build classroom community, start student goal-setting, AND decorate your classroom at the beginning of the school year? Look no further!
You can head confidently back to school, using these decorative bunting banner flags to help your students establish their Hopes and Dreams for the school year.
Teach CVC Reading & Spelling Practice, Through Thematic Activities! FREE Ocean Printable
Saturday, July 27, 2019When my son wanted to learn about ocean words, all of the beach word work activities and games online had unconnected words! (For example: they had words like pin, wig, and fox.) What?!!
Flexible Seating DIY, Teacher Hacks, and Tips for an Elementary Classroom!
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
Check out these ideas, to create alternative seating options for your classroom!
A Basic Overview of Phonemic Awareness and Phonics Instruction: Low-Prep Activities Ages 2-5
Monday, July 22, 2019
Literary terms and jargon, for emergent and developing readers!
10 Picture Books using Alliteration: Text Summaries Included!
Friday, July 19, 201910 Picture Books Using Alliteration

15 Must-Have Classroom Supplies for New Teachers (Back-to-School Essentials)
Wednesday, July 17, 2019Starting your first year of teaching? Whether you’re prepping your classroom or building your shopping list, having the right supplies makes a huge difference. This guide walks you through 15 must-have classroom supplies that will help you stay organized, manage your classroom, and support student learning—right from day one.
✨This post contains affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you—if you make a purchase through one of these links. I only recommend products I think will be helpful for fellow teachers.
🧰 1. A Trusty Teacher Toolbox
Organize all your essentials—paper clips, push pins, pens, sticky notes—into one compact place. A labeled teacher toolbox helps you stay efficient and minimizes classroom chaos.
📎 Tip: Use color-coded drawers to make finding things quick and easy.
📦 2. Durable Storage Bins and Baskets
Clear bins and sturdy baskets are perfect for organizing supplies, centers, and student work. Use them to create easy-access systems that save you time all year long.

🪑 3. Student Mailboxes or Turn-In Trays
Designate a space where students can turn in work or pick up handouts. It helps reinforce routines and reduces clutter.
📝 Pro Tip: Label trays by subject or student name to streamline collection.
✏️ 4. Pencils, Pens, and Highlighters (In Bulk!)
You’ll go through more writing tools than you think—especially pencils. Stock up early and keep extras in your teacher drawer for emergencies.
🎁 Consider setting up a “borrow-and-return” pencil station to avoid the constant “I don’t have a pencil!” conversations.
🧽 5. Dry Erase Boards & Markers
Perfect for whole-class lessons, small groups, and quick assessments. Don’t forget erasers (felt pieces or socks work great) and plenty of dry erase markers.
🗂 6. Anchor Chart Supplies
Chart paper, colorful markers, and painter’s tape are classroom staples for visual learners. Anchor charts reinforce skills and can stay up as reference tools all year.
🖼 Looking for premade classroom posters? 👉 TpT Classroom Posters: Social-Emotional & Academic
📋 7. Clipboards for Flexible Seating or Walk-Around Work
Clipboards are super helpful for students who work around the room or for group activities. They also come in handy during assessments or classroom observations.
📌 8. A Reliable Pencil Sharpener
Invest in a good one (electric or manual). A dull or broken sharpener slows down the whole class.
📕 9. Teacher Planner or Digital Calendar System
Whether you prefer pen and paper or Google Calendar, have a system to manage lessons, meetings, and due dates. Staying organized is half the battle your first year.
🪪 10. Name Tags and Desk Labels
These help with classroom management, especially during the first few weeks. Use them for seating charts, cubby labels, or job assignments.
🎨 11. Art Supplies and Manipulatives
You’ll want extras of glue sticks, crayons, scissors, and hands-on tools like counters, dice, or cubes—especially in the primary grades.
📚 12. Personal Read-Aloud Library
Have a few go-to books for teaching routines, SEL, or class discussions. You’ll lean on these when the unexpected happens.
📚 Need ideas for Read Alouds? 👉 10 Picture Books for Teaching Rhyming Skills
🔔 13. Visual Schedule or Daily Agenda Board
Helps students know what to expect, which builds routine and reduces behavior issues. Magnetic strips, pocket charts, or even printed cards can work great.
🧼 14. Classroom Cleaning Supplies
Wipes, tissues, hand sanitizer, paper towels—you’ll want them all year long. Trust us.
🎉 15. A “Just for You” Teacher Survival Kit
Include a water bottle, snacks, extra chargers, and a small emergency kit with Band-Aids, Advil, etc. You’re going to need it more than once!
🎯 Final Tips for First-Year Teachers
Remember, you don’t need to have everything on day one. Start with the essentials and build as you go. Ask your mentor or grade team what’s provided by your school and what they recommend buying yourself.
🔗 Want More Support?
If you’re looking for ready-made classroom labels, first-week plans, or visual schedule cards, check out my Teachers Pay Teachers store here !
📥 Grab Your Free New Teacher Checklist!
Want to make your shopping list stress-free? Download my printable New Teacher Supply Checklist and get classroom-ready in no time!
👉 New Teacher Supply List
Using Amazon's Echo Dot in the Classroom: "Alexa, I Need a Teaching Assistant!" (FREE Download)
Thursday, July 11, 2019When you are managing children, there are undoubtably times when you wish you had an extra set of hands. Not to fear! The Echo Dot is here!
Let me tell you about how handy the Echo Dot can be for management tips, skill practice, and classroom fun! Did I mention it occasionally goes on sale for 50% off?! 😊
The BEST Amazon Prime Day Deals for Teachers 2019!
Wednesday, July 3, 2019What is Prime Day
Amazon's Prime Day is a world-wide shopping event, where thousands of products are discounted. You can find deals on items from across a huge spectrum.Custom Book Stamp (New FAVORITE gem!) for My Classroom Library
Friday, May 24, 2019- Easy
- Fast
- Personalized
- Fun (in a teacher sort of way!)

{This post contains affiliate links to materials I recommend.}
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Scholastic Book Order: All the Books! |
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Personalized Book Stamp is Ready! |
What?! Stamping is so EASY! |

DIY Plastic Drawer Organizer UPGRADE: Classroom Decor on a BUDGET!
Friday, May 3, 2019I'm excited to show you how I turned my ugly classroom bins and drawers into handsome, functional pieces. It was SUPER easy and fun!
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Buy Krylon Plastic Spray Paint HERE
Last summer, I decided to update my classroom decor into a Colorful Farmhouse theme. It started off great--I was highly inspired and had a blast shopping for decorations and supplies at Michael's, the Christmas Tree Shop, and JoAnn's Fabrics (to name a few.) {This post may contain affiliate links to materials I recommend. If you purchase something using these links I may receive a small commission.} |
Mindful Moments in the Classroom: Creating a Space for Coping Skills and Self-Awareness
Monday, April 29, 2019Now my students will be more self-directed, have more freedom of choice, and will be able to practice coping-skills and self-regulation!

Teaching TRAITS, using Classification and Dichotomous Key!
Saturday, April 27, 2019If you have ever taught Physical and Behavioral Traits (or Adaptations), then you know some students struggle with differentiating between the two!
We are getting ready to launch into our unit on TRAITS LS3-1, LS3-2, LS4-2. Before we begin, I like to pull out my Classification Unit to engage and elicit background information...
WOW! It is such a powerful way to start this unit!
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Check it out here! |
Homophone Activities: Commonly Confused Words!
* To, too, two
* There, their, they're
* Your, you're
* Its, it's
This year, I upped my game!
This year, I upped my game!
We not only learned about each type, read books, and practiced...

Constructed Response--Writing about Reading (Freebie)
Tuesday, April 23, 2019If you are looking for a simple and straightforward way to teach essay-writing, then Constructed Responses are it!
It is important for students to understand what it means to "construct" an essay or response. You will want to spend some time talking about the art of building your ideas, while using evidence directly from the text.