70+ Must-Have Teacher School Supplies That You’ll Want for Your Classroom

Back-to-school season is here, and in our area, Target is stocked with school supplies like pencils, crayons, pencil boxes, and backpacks. But have you ever wondered about the must-have teacher school supplies? What are the school supplies that teachers want the most?

As an elementary teacher, you understand how important it is to have a fully stocked classroom with all the supplies your students will need for their learning journey. You know that having the right school supplies in place sets the groundwork for a positive academic environment where creativity and knowledge are nurtured and protected.

But what about school supplies for teachers? What classroom supplies for teachers do you need at your disposal so you can shine with students?

With all of the options out there, though, from pens and pencils to sticky notes and folders–it can be hard to determine exactly which teachers need most?

There are a few teacher classroom supplies that just make my school room more comfortable for ME. The more pieces I can put in place and the more small details I can think through ahead of time, the smoother my teaching is because I don’t have to worry about all the little things.  It’s the little things that drive me nuts!

That’s why we’ve come up with this list of essential teacher school supplies: curated specifically for you so that you can create just the right kind of space for your learners this year! While you can purchase these items at a teacher supply store, most of them are available on Amazon or your local stores.

The Best School Supplies for Teachers for Elementary Classrooms

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Here are a few teacher school supplies that I cannot live without in my classroom. These are in no particular order, just how they popped into my head.

Colorful Pens that Make Your Anchor Charts Stand Out

My favorite pens for chart paper are Mr. Sketch. I’ve tried a few others but none of them are quite the same. The colors are vibrant and one pack lasts all year! Except for black. However, several years ago, I discovered that I could order just the black! Whoo-hoo. Now, I have a supply of black hidden away in the closet.

Last year, I discovered that Mr. Sketch has fine point markers too. These aren’t fine enough to write in your plan book (Flair Pens are best for that).  I loved using these for the fine-detail coloring examples I needed to do or to fill in on anchor charts.

Whiteboard or Dry Erase Markers

Dry erase markers are an essential tool for teachers and must-have on their list of school supplies. These markers allow teachers to easily write and erase notes, diagrams, and examples on whiteboards, making it easier for them to engage students in visual learning. These markers come in a variety of colors, making it possible for teachers to use different colors for emphasis or organization in their teaching materials.

There are several different kinds of dry erase markers available. Here are some of my favorites:

Personal Laminator for all the Task Cards

My personal laminator is another of my most used resources.  It has been so easy to plug this in to laminate a quick thing rather than waiting for the large laminator to warm up.

Laminating Pouches For the Above Laminator

What laminator wouldn’t be complete without laminator pouches?  These are the cheapest and most durable I’ve found.  I tend to go through two or three packs of them a year.  It’s a bummer when I run out.

Advil (or Tylenol) – For those days when something hurts

Advil is a must.  I carry it with me everywhere.  Really self-explanatory. For those times when the day will not end, or my back is out, or . . . you get the idea.

Hair Tie / Bobby Pins

When I had long hair, hair ties were a must. As my hair has gotten shorter and shorter over the years, my go-to hair supply is bobby pins. I have a stash on my desk to put to use in those annoying moments when my hair won’t stay out of my face.

Airborne (or similar surge of vitamins)

As new bodies are getting used to being together for six hours a day, you are bound to come down with a fall cold. Airborne might help make it less intense.

Plastic Utensils – because I forget to pack them for lunch

Although we have a staff room with utensils, it is not well stocked. I usually brought my own from home, but there were times that I forgot and well, had to make due.  I love these reusable ones that I just wash each time.

Hot Water Boiler

During the winter time, especially, I like a quick cup of tea on cold mornings or when I have a cold. I love being able to boil my own water and make a cup of tea in the middle of the day. Along with the boiler, I also have a stash of tea and oatmeal in my school supplies for teachers.

Granola Bars

I find myself often needing a snack at recess time or after school. Although I tried to bring extra food each day, sometimes it just wasn’t possible. I fell in love with these Cliff Bars at the end of the year last year.  They are so yummy! These were a lifesaver last year as I need a few extra calories to get me through until dinner time!

Chocolate

Who doesn’t need an afternoon pick-me-up?  I love the variety of mini-chocolates. They’re just the right size!

Tampons

If you’re a guy, keep reading. If you’re a female teacher, these are a necessity for those, umm . . . moments when you realize that you ran out of the stash in your purse. Plus, you never know who else might need some extra supplies of this item!

Thank You Notes / Notes of Appreciation

For those times when a student brings something unexpected or when you want to show your appreciation for someone. Saying thank you and using kind words is not a gift of mine. It doesn’t come easy for me. Having notes on hand makes it so much easier to jot a quick note without having to search for the materials. You’ll definitely want to add this to your classroom supplies for teachers.

Nail File

I keep a nail file in my pen cup. I pulled it out several times a week to file down my fingernails that snag on something.

Airwick

Because I like my classroom to smell good. I actually plugged in four Airwicks around the room and it smelled like heaven or freshly baked cookies. You may have students who are allergic to these scents to use with caution.

Tool Kit

Our aunt gave us a dinky little toolkit for Christmas one year. You know the kind that has about 30 different tools in them, but none are of quality? She gave one to my husband and me. He got the gray “boy” one and I got the pink girl one. I stole his and brought it to my classroom. It came in very handy over the years: screwdriver with different heads, needle nose pliers, tape measure. You get the idea.

Snacks for Kids Who Don’t Bring One to School

I teach in a low-income school. Many of my students didn’t eat breakfast in the mornings. A small snack was just what they needed to tide them over until lunch.

Hand Lotion

Hand lotion is especially useful during the winter months when it’s so dry outside. Don’t make the mistake of putting lotion on your hands right before you need to open a pen cap!  I need to hand a marker to a student to open and, well, then I need the Airborne.

Deodorant

This deodorant came in handy a couple of times during the year when I forgot to put some on at home or when it was a very warm day.

Chapstick

I have an addiction to chapstick. It sits right on my desk and is used many times throughout the day. This is one item that you’ll want to add to your teacher school supplies list and keep stocked throughout those dry winter months!

Amazon Prime

While not necessarily one of the core teacher supplies, I have to admit that I can’t live without Amazon Prime.  When I needed dice, laminating pouches, chapstick, or even toothpaste for my own kids, it was on my doorstep within days.  Amazon Prime also allowed me to stream videos for my students at the end of the year, too!

More Teacher School Supplies that You Need For Your Classroom

Below is a list of quality school supply essentials that are either on my school supply list for parents, items that are on my teacher desk or work station, or items that are on my wishlist. While many of them fall into the category of traditional office supplies, there are also classroom-specific teacher resources that you’ll love t have on your teacher desk.

• Teacher Planner – Either a physical or digital planner.
• Student award incentives
• Post-it Notes in a variety of colors
• Ruler – You might need this for measuring things, but also for drawing straight lines on papers.
• Yard Stick – I use this all the time to draw lines on anchor charts.
• Pencils – You will need a lot of pencils. Always opt for the Ticonderoga Wood-Cased Pencils. They last the longest and are the most durable for classroom use.
• Pencil Sharpener – X-acto is our favorite one!
• Stapler
• Comfortable Adult Scissors
• High Quality Paper Cutter
• Teacher Bag
• Astrobright Papers – These are great for printing black and white task cards and for differentiating student tasks. Get a pack with assorted colors!
• Color Printer – just access to one will make a difference when printing task cards.
• Clipboard
• Binder Clilps
• Magnets – One year I used magnetic business cards and created photo and name magnets of my students. Used them all over my whiteboard when I needed to quickly group students. They were also perfect for a substitute teacher.
• Command Hooks
• Timer
• Baggies – a variety of sizes is good. I use these to store task cards.
• Plastic Bins to collect homework, completed assignments, organize library books, community school supplies, or to hold center activities
• Colored Duct Tape – I put this down on the floor to mark where students should line up or use it with the Inside-Outside circle activity.
• Clorox Wipes
• Glue Dots
• Washi Tape – This works great on anchor charts!
• Soft Dice – Dice are great for math games and the soft dice are a must have for a quite classroom.
• Binder paper
• Plain white printer paper
• 3-hole punch
• Handheld punch.
• Rubber bands
• Manilla Envelopes – I use these to store task cards and center activities by month or topic.
• Index cards
• Highlighters
• Paperclips
• Painter’s tape
• Velcro Tape
• Staple Remover – I like the flat one that I can slip under the staple.
• Push pins
• Hot glue gun
• Hot glue sticks
• Fadeless paper for your bulletin board
• Pocket Charts
• Nameplates for student desks
• Alphabet strip – printing or cursive
• Puzzles and games for indoor recess

Art Materials to Stock Your Art Supply Cabinet

Teachers rely on a variety of art supplies to enhance their students’ creativity and learning experiences in the classroom. However, continuously purchasing these supplies can be costly for both teachers and schools. Donations from parents or community members are always appreciated. With the right tools such as paintbrushes, markers, and paper, teachers can lead engaging crafts activities that allow students to express themselves. Here is a list of supplies that might go onto your lists for parents.

• Paints
  • Acrylic
  • Watercolor
  • Tempera
• Brushes (various sizes and shapes)
• Canvas
• Construction Paper
• Colored Pencils Pencils
• Markers (washable and permanent)
• Crayons
• Pastels
• Clay
• Play dough
• Glue (liquid and glue sticks)
• Scissors
• Rulers
• Stencils
• Stickers
• Glitter
• Beads and string for jewelry making projects
• Colored tissue paper
• Foam sheets
• Pipe cleaners
• Magazines for collage projects

These supplies also come in handy throughout the school year for various projects and assignments, making them an essential component of any classroom. By having a well-stocked supply of art materials, teachers can foster a love for art in their students while staying within budget constraints.

What are some essential school supplies for teachers that you need in your room? Do you have any to add to the list? Comment below to let us know what you can’t live without!