It's almost the start of the school year in New York! Time for planning and classroom setup. Even those who have already returned might be looking for a few extra items to add to your setup.
In NYC, teachers get $250 in Teacher's Choice funds to spend on classroom materials. I know not all teachers are so lucky, but this is why I chose $250 as our budget for this post.
Note: All of these are Amazon links because that's where I buy most of my classroom supplies. None of these are sponsored links, but I have personally purchased and loved each item on the list. Feel free to choose whichever alternatives you wish!
Jump Ahead:
Classroom Set of Markers ($38.99)
Every classroom should have a student class pack of markers.
My high school kids love working with tangible markers. We work with maps, charts, and other visual elements in the social studies classroom.
Having a set of markers just for your room takes the stress out of planning activities that allow students to engage with our visual sources directly. The students also like switching it up for something more hands-on than the typical source analysis.
Grab this marker set on Amazon for $38.99.
Classroom Set of Highlighters ($19.99)
Highlighters are another must-have in the modern classroom. Students can use them for source annotation, identifying themes in a piece of text, showcasing elements of their own writing, and many more activities.
This small box of highlighters lasted two years in my classroom. Many students prefer to use their own, but many will not have working highlighters when they need them.
Pick up this highlighter set on Amazon for $19.99.
Laminator ($40.70)
I'm sure some teachers have a reliable school laminator - and maybe even a process to get things beautifully laminated in a timely manner. I've never been so lucky - and I'm sure many of you are laughing with me at the absurdity of such a concept.
For me, I get by with my own little personal laminator. This only laminates one sheet at a time, but I find that enough. It's lasted me five years and is still going strong with no issues... *knocks on wood*.
I use my laminator primarily for creating tools for my students to use at their tables. These are usually color copies of maps or images on their classwork or materials they need for a group activity.
I make color copies of whichever materials they need, laminate them, cut them when necessary, and store them in plastic bags to keep them safe for next year. I keep them organized by unit to retrieve them in future years easily. Try this plastic organizer to keep your materials organized for upcoming years.
One last note about laminators - They make you stand out as a teacher. Kids love to pick up and handle source materials. Admin loves the foresight and intention behind an activity that uses nice-looking laminated materials. Spend an hour in the evening laminating while you watch TV and reap the rewards at observation time.
Find this laminator on Amazon for $40.70.
Laminator Sheets ($8.16)
If you get a laminator, you'll also need laminating sheets. There are many options to choose from at various price points, but I find there's no reason to get too fancy about it.
These Amazon basics laminator sheets work great and don't break the bank.
Personal Color Printer ($84.89)
As with laminating, some teachers might get all the color copies they need from their school. I've never been so lucky! Even if you have one or two color copiers in the building, it's pretty nice to have your own color copier in your classroom.
This printer bundle from Amazon is a great choice - The printer itself has held up well for me, and it even comes with 6 months' worth of ink (it lasted me even longer).
Clipboard with Storage ($15.42)
If you like to walk around the room with a clipboard, this is for you.
This clipboard opens to provide space to keep extra materials or your phone while you circulate the room. I keep sentence starter cards in mine to hand out to students who need a little push to get involved in small group or class discussion.
There are many of these on the market, but this one is my favorite because it is lightweight but roomy enough to fit everything you need. It also has a separate compartment for writing utensils.
Get the storage clipboard on Amazon for $15.42.
Plastic Bins for Table Materials ($10.88)
I bought these plastic document bins during my first year teaching and have used them every year since. I use one as a "turn-it-in bin" where students can drop off their work. I use the rest to distribute materials to each table to give the students what they need for each lesson.
They flatten entirely so you can easily slip them into a backpack for easy transport to and from school or between classrooms. They are also multi-colored and quickly brighten up the room's atmosphere.
Purchase these table bins on Amazon for $10.88.
Poster Board ($20.67)
I like to decorate the room with colorful posters. I suggest taking the time to make really nice-looking posters that you can then re-use year after year. These multi-packs of posterboard should last you at least a few years, if not more.
Here are a few suggestions for signs that add a pop of fun color to the room:
A word wall (use these velcro dots and index cards to add and remove words)
Signs to indicate where students do certain things (hand in work, sign in/out, etc.)
Table or desk numbers
Classroom reminders (routines, policies, etc.)
Purchase this pack of posterboard on Amazon for $20.67.
Sharpies ($4.44)
Thick black sharpies are always a great item to keep in the classroom. Use them to make your posters, label classroom items, or for countless other purposes.
Find these chisel-tip sharpies on Amazon for $4.44.
The Grand Total
If you purchase everything on this list, you'll spend $244.14. That still leaves a few bucks in the budget for last-minute supplies - or a much-needed cup of coffee to get you through the first day of school.
Consider checking out our online store for curriculum downloads and classroom materials from me to you.
Why Invest in Your Classroom Setup?
Taking the time to set up your classroom profoundly impacts how your students view you and your class. Spending time decorating a learning space for older students (I usually taught 10th) might seem silly, but the kids will notice and take you more seriously.
Decorate your room with easy-to-read, bright posters that catch your students' eyes. Avoid posting miles-long pages of text, especially at a high height that no student will bother reading. Keep it short, simple, and pleasing to the eye.
For Traveling Classroom Teachers
I was only lucky enough to have a dedicated classroom during my first year of teaching. Every year since then, I worked in a building where nobody had their own classroom. Instead, we rotated teaching rooms, and each teacher had a desk and office space in their department.
Having taught in both settings, I think there are pros and cons to each. I liked the ability to arrange my classroom (and keep it how I wanted, always) when I had my own classroom, but I also loved the collaborative and professional feel of the office model.
Either way, you can still set up your classroom in a way that earns credibility with your students. It can be more challenging when you rotate teaching rooms, but it can still be done! I might see a post about this coming up in the future....
Wrapping Up
Most of these items will last you for many years. Use your teacher's choice or other classroom funds to stock up on these essentials this year, and then add more to your collection next year. Before you know it, you'll have a thriving classroom!
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