PENCIL SHARPENER
This pencil sharpener is a GAME CHANGER!! Students waste SO much time standing at the pencil sharpener, grinding their pencil for as long as possible, only to grab another pencil to waste. This automatic pencil sharpener only requires you to put the pencil in, it sharpens to precision, and then releases the pencil for removal when it is finished. GET IT!! YOU WON’T REGRET IT!!
PENs
You could NEVER have enough pens. I’m not sure how, but these things ALWAYS grow feet, and runaway.
These Pilot pens are hands down my favorite. They last a long time, don’t smear, and roll on smooth. I prefer either the FINE or EXTRA FINE.
I also keep on hand a box of the Red Pens to grade papers. Some people do not like to grade in Red, but I do.
Post-its
Post-Its!! You must have an UNLIMITED SUPPLY of them! They probably disappear faster than the pencils in my classroom. I even have a secret stash in my desk, because I use the ones on my desk as my backup stash for students. Just watch out, they do like to use these for that Squid Game and waste them, or paper airplanes, or passing notes…
I prefer the pastel colored Post-Its because they are easier to read when students write lightly.
EXPO Markers
You will need MULTIPLE packs of Expo Markers. These things disappear fast too.
I prefer this colored pack over the pastel colors. These are bold and seem to last longer, plus students see these colors better on the front board of the classroom.
YES, EXPO markers really are the best to use. Other brands either fade faster, or they smear and are a pain to clean off the white board.
highlighters
YES, Sharpie Highlighters really are the best to use. Other brands either fade faster or they smear.
Multiple colors come in handy for students when we highlight different subjects, such as Social Studies and Science.
These also help students when we review the CUBES strategy for solving Word Problems in Math.
kickbands
These can be a bit noisy, but hear me out. Some students need to move around a bit to focus. I place these around the front legs of their chairs, and they are able to move while staying in their seats.
Warning: they do move around on the legs, so be sure to use the adhesive dots that come in the package to hold them in place. Students may also trip on them if their feet are behind the band when they try to stand up and walk.
trimmer
Warning: Keep these away from student access. They are VERY sharp.
Rather than needing to cut everything out by hand, this Swingline Trimmer helps quickly for cutting paper WITHOUT requiring you to walk all the way to the workroom.
Clipboards
These are not just any clipboards though, these double as Dry Erase boards AND clipboards. Save yourself an extra storage bin.
We use these all throughout the year. Students can either keep them in their desks, or store them away for certain activities.
This class set of 30 even comes with erasers.
