Classroom Must Haves

What are the teacher necessities that are actual classroom must haves? Well, if you look at Tiktok and Instagram, there are a lot of things teachers swear by.

However, what do you really need? What are teachers (or former teachers) promoting that you don’t actually need? I’ve done posts on cleaning my classroom, and it’s been a while since I shared some other must haves for my classroom.

I finished my fourth year of teaching this May, and I’ve tried a few things out…some worked and a lot didn’t work. Also, this post is not sponsored. These are all my opinions and I do not receive compensation from the links. They are my honest classroom must haves and this is 100% my honest opinion.

Here are the things that worked:

Pencil Sharpener | Y’all this is my holy grail of products. Honestly, I don’t have anything else that could touch the importance of this one. As far as I’m concerned this is the ultimate classroom must have. My pencil sharpener was the first ever purchase I made for my classroom. It is also by the far one of the biggest things that keeps my classroom running. Students constantly need their pencils sharpened. One of my rules is that my students cannot touch the pencil sharpener. I only mind sharpening pencils if they ask at a time when I’m teaching. Otherwise, it’s fair game to ask me to sharpen their pencils. I also keep a cup of sharpened pencils and I don’t mind swapping a dull one for a sharp one.

Ticonderoga Pencils | Obviously, every teacher needs pencils and Ticonderoga will always be the superior brand as far as I’m concerned. I know this sounds picky, and no I can’t always choose what my kids bring in or what the school gives me to use. However, I keep a stash of Ticonderoga pencils so I always have some. Pencils are honestly the thing you can never have enough of, so always have some hidden away!

Cubbies | This is where I keep all of the stuff that I need. Whether it’s my backstock of supplies, my notebooks, my binders of original copies, and other things I need, I know that it’s all there. I keep my stuff for small groups on top of the cubbies. I have several different navy bins (my classroom’s colors are red, white, and blue and is nautical themed).

Doorbell | This is a classroom management game changer! I use it as an attention getter for my class. For instance, if it’s time to switch small groups, or I need them to move to the carpet. This means I do not have to yell or clap at them.

Sharpie Pens | These pens are fantastic! There are always some floating around during the day. I use them for any notes I make during the day. I used them for notes during my grad classes, as well. One thing I definitely want to purchase is these in blue ink.

Dry Erase Pockets | I love using these in small groups for Math! They’re easy to clean (some markers may require a little elbow grease), and cut down on paper (and time at the copier!).

Crayola Super Tips Markers | These are my favorite things to grade with. I use a different color for each assignment so my students are excited to see what color is going to be on their paper.

If you’re a current teacher, what are your classroom musth haves?

xx,

Lindsey