Remember the thrill of picking out your new school supplies for the year as a kid?
Deciding which colored folders would represent each subject (science was always green) and picking out fresh spiral notebooks for the year was always an exciting task. And if you’re anything like most teachers, that feeling never really went away!
The big difference is that now you’re tasked with filling a whole classroom full of supplies versus just bringing what you need. And in many cases, you have to pay for some of them yourself too.
To make back-to-school shopping a little easier and less costly, check out these top 47 classroom essentials for teachers and download our free checklist below. Plus, discover the secret to getting the most bang for your buck out of classroom supplies.
Download Your Classroom Supply List
Classroom Must-Haves for School Teachers
It’s easy for your shopping cart to get out of hand with the abundance of materials and items you think you might need. But this teacher supply list should cover your bases with links to affordable options. Most of what we’ve included here is available on Amazon, but you can also find them at Walmart, Target, home improvement, or office supply stores.
Keep reading to view all items or navigate to each section using the links below.
Basics
1. Whiteboard Markers With Eraser
Go for a value pack that includes a variety of colors and an eraser. Aim for high-contrast colors like blue, black, and red that will be easier for students to read from any distance.
2. Shower Board
Most classrooms will automatically have a whiteboard, but if not, or if you need more, you can also create your own in another area of the classroom using an inexpensive shower board panel. They’re easy to decorate and customize from one year to the next!
3. Stapler and Staple Remover
A good, durable stapler like this classic Swingline model is a necessity for keeping loose papers together and attaching papers to bulletin boards. When it’s time to undo all of that work you did with your new stapler, staple removers are your best friend. Bonus points if they’re magnetic and rubberized staple removers.
4. Three-Hole Punch
Make it easy for students (and yourself) to keep loose papers organized in a binder with this three-hole punch that can get through 40 pages of 70 gsm paper at a time.
5. Paper Cutter
Cutting handouts with scissors is time-consuming and physically demanding. Make your life a little easier with a guillotine-style paper cutter that can slice through multiple pages at a time.
6. Glue Sticks
Even if glue sticks are on your students’ supply lists, it’s always a good idea to have more on hand in case someone forgets to cap theirs or goes a little wild with a craft project. You can’t go wrong with an Elmer’s value pack!
7. Sticky Notes
Leave reminders for yourself or your students, mark a passage in a book you want to review with the class, and so much more with a pack of colorful sticky notes.
8. Colored Cardstock
The only limits of what you can do with a pack of colored cardstock are the ones you set for yourself. Use them for activities, crafts, decorations, and more.
9. Index Cards
You can buy a pack of index cards in bulk for less than $10 and use them to make flashcards for your students.
10. Printer Paper
Every teacher knows how easy it is to go through a whole ream of printer paper. That’s why it’s a good idea to buy in bulk and keep your classroom well-stocked.
11. Poster Board
Cheaper than chart paper and easier to hang, poster board is a great tool for making anchor charts and illustrating concepts you don’t want to erase off the whiteboard.
12. Grade Book
If your school doesn’t provide you with a physical grade book, you should still purchase your own. Keeping all grades stored digitally is convenient but leaves them vulnerable to corrupted files and other technological mishaps.
13. EZ Grader
Save time grading with an EZ Grader, which helps you determine a percentage score on tests — no calculator necessary.
14. Pens and Pencils
Teachers need a variety of different pens and pencils in the classroom to suit a wide range of purposes. At a minimum, make sure you have the following:
15. Pencil Sharpener
Speaking of pencils, you and your students will need something to sharpen them with! You can spend a little more money for the convenience of an electric sharpener, but don’t write off the handheld ones. Not only are they cheaper, but they’re quieter, too.
16. Timer
Sure, you have one on your phone, but this classroom timer is easier for students to see and gives them a visual indication of how much remaining time they have for a quiz or activity.
17. Self-Adhesive Laminating Sheets
Save yourself the money on a laminator and get these self-adhesive sheets to protect papers and pictures instead – no machine necessary.
18. Clips
Paper clips and binder clips are teacher must-haves that help you keep papers together when stapling isn’t an option.
19. Magnets
Stock up on clip magnets for holding papers or heavy-duty hook magnets for hanging lanyards, jackets, and more.
20. Resealable Plastic Bags
Grab a variety pack of resealable bags that has everything from sandwich to gallon sizes. You can use these to hold just about anything, from cards to activity materials to your own personal snack stash.
21. Grabber Tool
From peeling down decorations at the end of the year to picking up used tissues that didn’t quite make it into the trash, you might be surprised at how much mileage you can get out of a grabber tool!
22. Compact Mirror
It’s always a good idea to keep a compact mirror in your desk to make sure you don’t have food in your teeth after lunch or dry-erase marker smudges on your face.
23. Stickers, Stamps, or Other Rewards
Depending on what grade you teach and how you reward your students for good behavior, you should keep a healthy stock of fun sticker sheets or self-inking stamps to add to point cards or assignments.
Cleaning and Safety
24. Antibacterial Wipes
Antibacterial wipes are super handy for those times when you need to clean up a mess or wipe down a sick student’s desk but don’t have time to use a rag and cleaner.
25. Tissues
Don’t rely on your students to bring their own — keep tissue boxes on hand, especially during cold and flu season!
26. Hand Sanitizer
A bottle of hand sanitizer is good to keep in your classroom when washing hands isn’t an option.
27. Paper Towels
Be ready for spills and messes with a large pack of absorbent paper towel rolls.
Organization
28. Desk Organizer
Keep your workspace clutter-free with a desk organizer that holds everything from books to pens to papers and more.
29. Hanging File Folders
Hanging file folders are inexpensive and a great way to organize your never-ending collection of assignments, handouts, and records.
30. File Crates
Keep those hanging folders organized in file crates! They also make great storage bins.
31. Caddies
Plastic caddies are great for holding craft supplies and easy for students to take back to their desks.
32. Paper Trays
Stackable paper trays make collecting and organizing assignments a little easier. Aim for a multicolored set so you can color code each tray (inbox, outbox, etc.).
33. White Labels
You don’t need a fancy label maker to clearly mark the various containers around your classroom. Get an affordable pack of white labels instead and make your own!
34. Storage Bins and Containers
You should get a variety of different sizes of storage containers, but try to get ones that are easy to stack so you can maximize space.
Activities
35. Dice
Six-sided dice will come in handy for a wide variety of games, activities, and lessons.
36. Soft Dice
Sometimes it’s more fun and engaging to roll some soft dice for an activity or icebreaker than the regular kind, especially when you want the whole class involved.
37. Conversation Cubes
Conversation cubes can be a fun catalyst for your students to get to know each other better during a first-day icebreaker activity.
38. Books
It’s nice to keep books in your classroom that aren’t on your syllabus to encourage reading when there’s a little extra time. To save money, go to local used bookstores or shop online at sites like ThriftBooks, which has a whole resource dedicated to teachers.
Decorations
39. Adhesive Strips
Command strips are great for hanging posters and other decor around your room.
40. Velcro Tape
An alternative to adhesive hanging strips, Velcro tape is super convenient if you are consistently switching out posters or signs throughout the year.
41. Washi Tape
If you want to hang something in your classroom in a more visually appealing and colorful way, washi tape is a fun alternative.
42. Something Sentimental
Splurge Purchases
43. Rug
A rug can bring a homey, cozy feel to your classroom. If you teach younger students, consider a fun seating chart rug that can make it easier to wrangle them into a seating arrangement on the floor.
44. Bluetooth Speakers
Playing music while your students work can be a great way to motivate them, so consider investing in some Bluetooth speakers.
45. Document Camera
A document camera can help you display pages, papers, and more via a projector, interactive whiteboard, or TV.
46. Mini Fridge
Sure, this might just be for you, but teachers deserve a little treat! Keep drinks and snacks in your mini fridge for the days you stay late grading papers or planning lessons.
47. Tablet
Many teachers find that tablets — particularly iPads — are useful classroom tools that allow them to easily access digital learning materials, make notes, and illustrate concepts for students.
They’re definitely a splurge purchase, but the good news is that you don’t need the newest version. Older models like the 9th and 10 generation iPads are often lauded for their classroom utility, their compatibility with the 1st generation Apple Pencil, and their relative affordability compared to newer versions.
How to Protect Your Classroom Essentials With Insurance
Teachers like you spend an average of $500–$700 on supplies for their classrooms each year. Of course, that’s just an average, so you might even spend much more than this. With teacher salaries notoriously low across the country, paying out of pocket for school supplies is a serious financial burden.
But did you know that insurance can help you get the most out of your supplies? If a student accidentally knocks the document camera off your desk and it breaks, insurance could cover the cost of replacing it so you don’t have to pay twice.
What might seem like just another expense could actually save you money in the long run. Learn more about teacher insurance and discover how you can protect your teacher essentials today!
JoAnne Hammer | Program Manager
JoAnne Hammer is the Program Manager for Insurance Canopy. She has held the prestigious Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation since July 2004.
JoAnne understands that starting and operating a business takes a tremendous amount of time, dedication, and financial resources. She believes that insurance is the single best way to protect your investment, business, and personal assets.
JoAnne Hammer is the Program Manager for Insurance Canopy. She has held the prestigious Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation since July 2004.
JoAnne understands that starting and operating a business takes a tremendous amount of time, dedication, and financial resources. She believes that insurance is the single best way to protect your investment, business, and personal assets.
