10 Things Every First Year Teacher Needs

I apologize for creating this post so late in the summer, but I wasn't inspired to write this until recently. This post was inspired by an Instagram follower who is entering into her first year of teaching! She reached out to me earlier this month asking me for suggestions of things she should buy for her classroom. I want to preface this post by saying that these are only suggestions of things I use and think are helpful in my classroom. This does not mean that you NEED to have them in your classroom!

Here's me in my first year of teaching in 2017! :)

Before buying anything, make sure to check what is available to you in your classroom and school. Also, ask your principal if there is some sort of budget for you to use or if they have extra materials, resources, or supplies around the school for you. Remember, if you use the school budget for anything you purchase, that stays with the school and does not move with you when you do. It is very easy to spend thousands of dollars on your own classroom (I am guilty of this), but do not feel the need to spend your own money on your classroom. However, if you want to, go for it!

10 Things Every First Year Teacher Needs

1. Classroom Library Books- If you're looking to build your classroom library, check out thrift stores like Value Village or places like Facebook Marketplace for children's books. There are often great books that are in like new condition!

2. Teacher Read Alouds- Invest is some good read alouds that you will want to read to your students year after year. There are many great books to teach kindness and social skills. Check out my previous blog post on "15 Back-to-School Read Alouds" if you're looking for some books to have for the beginning of the school year.

3. Teacher Planner- I am a list maker. If I don't write it down, I will forget it! I would be lost without my planner. I have used the Kate Spade agendas and the Happy Planners and love them both. I use these to keep track of appointments, meetings, spirit days, deadlines, etc. I don't write my lesson plans in them though. I type them out in a Word document and print them off for the week.

4. Positive Reinforcement Materials- choose a positive reinforcement system that will work for you, and purchase whatever materials you will need for that. For example- pompoms for "Warm Fuzzies," stickers, gum, trinkets and toys from the Dollar Store for your prize bucket, fancy school supplies for a VIP bucket, etc.

5. Bins/Baskets- You will need A LOT of baskets/containers/bins to keep your classroom materials organized. If your classroom doesn't already have these, this is a great opportunity to personalize your classroom with colours you want! Dollar Tree has the best bins in my opinion.

6. Calendar/Alphabet- Another great way to add your own personal touch to your classroom is with a calendar, alphabet posters, and other decorations/posters. There are so many cute resources on TPT. Find one you like and get it printed on card stock at Staples or at your school!

7. Professional Resources- Find out what your school/division uses. Do they require you to run Daily 5 in your classroom? Or a certain phonics program? It may be good to read up on that! If your school/division requires you to run a specific program, they should be able to provide you with these resources. For ideas, check out my blog post, "Top 5 Teaching Resources You Need."

8. Whiteboards/Clipboards- A class set it so great! I use these during Math, Guided Reading, and during small group work. We also bring the clipboards outside! The possibilities are endless! I purchased a clipboard/whiteboard combo on Amazon a few years ago and they have held up great!

9. Staple Remover- A God send! One of the best gifts I have ever received! LOL.

10. Electric Pencil Sharpener- An absolute life saver. I don't let the kiddos use the electric sharpener, or else it would be destroyed in couple days! Instead, I have 2 buckets of pencils. One is labelled "sharp" and the other is labelled "dull." When students need a new pencil they put their dull pencil in the "dull" bucket and grab a new one from the "sharp" bucket. At the end of the day, my EA or I sharpen the pencils in the "dull" bucket.

There you have it! 10 functional and useful items that I think make life as a teacher a little bit easier! What classroom items can you not live without!?

XOXO,

Elle