A Teacher's Must-Haves

Over the years, I have collected materials that have honed my teaching style. Looking back, I can’t imagine I ever taught without them at some point. Below is a list of items I cannot teach without and what I use each one for.

Bell– Used during small group workshop times to signal transition to a new center / Number sticks– Call on students randomly (after the question is asked) by number to increase student attention levels and engagement

“Good Idea” note cards– Any idea I hear from a colleague or read in a book, I write down and store in a recipe container. I refer to these index cards during summer as I prepare for the upcoming school year.

    Hangers for laminated anchor charts– Organized and simple storage solution for anchor charts when not being referenced

Homework Binder– A daily spreadsheet is organized in a binder by month outlining homework due and I check off assignments as students turn them in each morning. I highlight a student who is missing an assignment and at a quick glance can tell who must make up work by the end of the day.

Homework Center– All materials students may need (paper, crayons, markers, glue, scissors), in addition to a location to turn in daily assignments and homework.

Mon-Fri organizer system– An inclined folder file system that holds Monday through Friday assignments

   Personalized desk– I need to have a personal touch in the classroom and my desk area is dedicated at my “teacher” corner. I love to hang my class pictures and remember my old kids! My current kids love to check my past kids too!

Precious cargo holders– My Berenstain Bears book collection is from when I was a child and I keep it in a separate section with special care instructions; these bins are a great visual reminder and organizational tool!

   Rewards– Stickers and stamps are placed on student’s tests for proficient marks. Tickets (classroom currency) are given for homework completion, excellent behavior, and proficient or above test scores.

Rolling white board– Excellent for a writing mini lesson or morning meeting with storage underneath for materials

“Save for Later” accordion file– Students turn in extra credit items that I hold until they do poorly on a test and need a boost (of course, I store any other “save for later” items in here too!)

Smart Board– I could go on and on and on about the amazing features of the S.B., but I will save that for a separate blog! One feature I use daily is taking attendance by having students move their photo from “Absent” to “Present.” Then, when it is time for me to mark attendance, all I have to do is glance at the board instead of calling roll. Time Saver!

Test filing system– Organized, safe way to file tests based on student number and once a week place in a weekly folder to go home and be signed by parents

To-do-list white board– A freebie from a teacher store that I velcroed to the wall as a daily reminder of things I have to get done

Treasure box– Students use the tickets they have earned to shop weekly at the classroom treasure box full of dollar store items

Weekly folder communication– I stapled a two-way ongoing communication log on the inside of student’s weekly folders where parents could ask me questions about their child’s academic struggles or celebrate successes.

What are your must-have teacher items? Include pics if you have them!