Teachers: What do I *need* for my classroom?

[mjantz]

I have a new job teaching 1st grade & I'm starting from scratch materials-wise. I went to Mardel today & picked up a few items. I also found out that they are having a 20% off sale next week & I'd like to take advantage of that. I don't want to waste my money so I'm curious as to what's needed & what's nice but not necessary. I currently have:

-Helper Chart
-Calendar (no tags)
-Birthday chart
-Packet with signs for rules, schedules & pledge as well as sign for me to put my name, the grade & my room number & lots of little pieces
-Welcome sign
-Red border
-sticky nametags
-Colors poster

A few things I was considering getting were:

-Few more colors of border
-hall passes
-lesson plan book
-tags for calendar


I haven't met my team yet & probably won't until next month so I don't know about specifics. I also have not seen my room.

Any help appreciated. TIA!!

 

[happygirl]

I have a new job teaching 1st grade & I'm starting from scratch materials-wise. I went to Mardel today & picked up a few items. I also found out that they are having a 20% off sale next week & I'd like to take advantage of that. I don't want to waste my money so I'm curious as to what's needed & what's nice but not necessary. I currently have:

-Helper Chart
-Calendar (no tags)
-Birthday chart
-Packet with signs for rules, schedules & pledge as well as sign for me to put my name, the grade & my room number & lots of little pieces
-Welcome sign
-Red border
-sticky nametags
-Colors poster

A few things I was considering getting were:

-Few more colors of border
-hall passes
-lesson plan book
-tags for calendar


I haven't met my team yet & probably won't until next month so I don't know about specifics. I also have not seen my room.

Any help appreciated. TIA!!

I'm really shocked schools don't supply hall passes

 

[amid chaos]

Hall passes... make them, then laminate...with words AND pictures..bathroom, library, office, nurse...etc. Attach them to a ruler or stick so they wont get lost.

Tags for calender...make them and laminate.

Really.... make what you can..save your money...you will spend alot more than you anticipate throughout the year.

I would think they would give you a lesson plan book.

 

[bluerendezvous]

You can never have too many stickers!

 

[Cindy B]

You don't need a lesson plan book. Most schools have online lesson plan software or an official "lesson plan format" that you need to follow. So then after the lessons plans are made, they are either printed out and placed in a 3 ring binder or just submitted for electronic review.. (ie Oncourse)

Grade books are also usually supplied... this may be something you can ask or should have asked during the interview. I usually ask the question of "How does the district keep grade records?".. some district will say manual --which means old school style grade books. Some districts require electronic grade books (Genesis software) --so no old style books required.

 

[harleyquinn]

Vodka

 

[harleyquinn]

 

[Jeafl]

You definitely need a lesson plan book. Doesn't the school provide one for you?

We had something called Calendar Math which taught basic coins, odd/even numbers, names of the week, names of the days, etc. all in one place.

We also made a lunch chart with a pocket for each child. Every day when they came in they had to choose either a cafeteria lunch choice card, or the card that said they brought lunch from home.

We also had lots of pocket charts which could be changed out for learning poems, word endings or beginnings.

A large number line that went across one entire wall. I think ours went to number 140 or something like that. We used it to count down to the "100th day of school" by moving a plastic fish (attached with sticky tack) along the number line everyday.

A large number grid (up to 100). You would be surprised how much we used this!

Don't forget name tags for the desks. We had some nice large ones that incorporated a 12-inch measure (it looked like a ruler), a small number grid, and examples of the correct formation of all D'Nealian letters.

I'm sure there's more but I can't think of it right now. PM me if you have any specific questions. I leave for WDW in about 6 hours, but if you're interested I could help you when I get back.

 

[Jeafl]

Vodka

Ain't that the truth!!

Oh, and one more thing...go to Sam's or Costco and get the gallon size of hand sanitizer. Trust me, you will need it!

 

[MichelleinMaine]

For bulletin board boarders, some basic posters, stickers... check Dollar Tree. I run a church school program, so get religious ones. I've noticed they have lots of "general" school ones as well.

 

[Cindy B]

Lesson plan book is different than a grade book.

I would check your math curriculum regarding the 100 day chart or money math. In some districts that I have worked in (Everyday math or Math Investigations) these things have been provided by the district.


If you have Math Investigations curriculum, you will get supplies for math learning games. I always found that dice were very useful.. you can make up your own math games with dice or very simple number cards-- you can make these yourself. Think about what you want in your math centers, have enough for about 3-5 centers-- depending on the size of your class.

You will need pocket folders.. for homework, messages home, etc.



I would get math posters, 100's chart, multiplication chart or addition/subtraction chart. Just the straight chart would be fine.

I would also think about a word wall of sorts. Depending on your language arts curriculum, this may or may not be supplied... If you are using Fundations, there is a whole other set of things to have (vowel sound cards, etc.)

 

[aristocatz]

-Velcro & lots of it!!!!!!!!
-A software program called "Boardmaker" It is a library of thousands of picture icons. It's a bit pricey, but WELL WORTH the investment if you plan on continuing to be a teacher for a while. Don't know what I would do without it!!
Here is the link if you are interested:
http://www.mayer-johnson.com/ProdDesc.aspx?SKU=M125

Congrats on your upcoming job!!!

 

[flying_babyb]

I teach preschool so not all the fallowing may appy to older kids but:
Mabey a chart with the weather on it and a arrow so they can select the weather (great job for a helper. If you need the weather buddy song, let me know)
Calander is fun to teach patterning. Make a couple sets of numbers in differnt colors (ours are pink and green) then create a pattern each day (pink, green, pink).
Graphs are fun (how many kids are here, How many freinds are having cold lunch) it allows comparision skills to be learned
Paper for daily news (do first graders do this? Have a daily question they get to answer?)
You really do need a word wall.
Counting bears are almost a nessicity.
A good book on bugs. I find lots of first graders find them cool.
Science posters


It is great if you can save money by printing your own things. I love the fallowing sites:
http://www.dltk-kids.com/ (general printables, crafts and games)
http://www.thevirtualvine.com/

 

[Boston Tea Party]

Things that people always borrow from me:

A timer

A stepladder (folds up, I keep it behind the door)

The behavior incentive bucket (trinket items for random good behavior ticket drawings)

A stapler that works

Masking tape

A stick type staple remover

Sharpies (teachers only)

Welcome to the profession!

 

[flying_babyb]

poster putty! my students pick it off the wall (and try to eat it).

 

[englishteacha]

Don't buy too much...my district actually provided me with a lot my first year, and I inherited a lot from my predecessor. Before you buy, check with the school secretary...they're the ones that really know what's going on in the school. She/he should be able to tell you what the school will provide.

 

[mjantz]

OK so far I have up to 100 number chart, name tags & I'll be checking out Dollar Tree. I'll call & see about the grading & lesson plans. I'd still like to have some sort of physical book for any substitute that would be in my classroom. A folder is much less imtimidating than having to turn on a computer & start poking around IMO.

Don't buy too much...my district actually provided me with a lot my first year, and I inherited a lot from my predecessor. Before you buy, check with the school secretary...they're the ones that really know what's going on in the school. She/he should be able to tell you what the school will provide.

Unfortunately the new secretary was hired about 3 weeks before I was.

I do plan on making a lot of stuff. I just want to make the most of the 20% off.

 

[Mouse Maineac]

Congratulations on your new job! I taught first grade for 16 years and it was some of the most rewarding years in my 23 year career. I concur with some of the earlier posts...wait until you can meet with your team. Be thinking about setting up routines and procedures. There is a place for everything and everythinng is in its place. I strongly suggest putting your energy into how you want to set up your classroom community. Get ready to make a TON of labels. Have fun!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Congratulations!! I just finishedm y first year of teaching Kindergarten. One thing that I didnt see mentioned (i looked quickly though) was some kind of classroom management chart. In my room, I have a stoplight that each child starts on green everyday. After warnings they get moved to yellow (no stickers) , if they continue to need warnings, they get moved to red (note/phone call home)

 

[Cindy B]

OK so far I have up to 100 number chart, name tags & I'll be checking out Dollar Tree. I'll call & see about the grading & lesson plans. I'd still like to have some sort of physical book for any substitute that would be in my classroom. A folder is much less imtimidating than having to turn on a computer & start poking around IMO.




QUOTE]

Some schools that I have worked with have even provided the substittute folder and "supplemental" activities. This folder only needs to be a few pages and such like that. I wouldn't spend too much time on this.. you could make up a packet with math, spelling, language, colors, patterns and go from there.

I've subbed and I all I have received are scrawled instructions and all the lesson books. You don't need a fancy book for that. However in some districts they give out an official folder/notebook and such which stays in the office, curriculum supervisors or stuff like that. You don't need a fancy book--it's not worth spending money.