43 Classroom Must Haves For New Teachers

A great resource for sanitizing desks and other hard surfaces throughout the school year. Antibacterial wipes are extra handy around to keep germs at bay.

A classroom must-have with children when hand washing is not readily available at the time. I usually have my students get one pump of hand sanitizer upon entering the classroom.

I usually keep a few strategically placed boxes of tissues around the classroom for easy access.

Some classrooms are equipped with smart boards so whiteboard markers are not used as frequently. However, I use these for center activities, active engagement tasks, and a lot more. They are very handy to have in the classroom.

No need to fumble with pencil sharpeners when you need a pencil in a pinch! Pre-sharpened pencils are ready to use straight out of the box. A time saver indeed! 

Great for labeling and color coding. I have used it for a variety of purposes such as closet labels, storage cubby labels, line spot markers, and much more!

Speaking of storage cubbies, these are great for organizing and color coding your classroom. They can be used as table cubbies, storage bins, book bins, and center bins… the possibilities are endless. Storage cubbies are also easy to clean and pack away when they are not in use. A definite classroom must have for new teachers!

Velcro strips and velcro dots are a great resource for hanging student work, tools for lessons, and decorating the classroom. The bonus is that they are reusable (unless you take them off of course). I love using them for my teacher-made center activities.

A great resource to have in the classroom. I have used them for clipping anchor charts around the classroom and organizing filing cabinets. They are like an upgrade from regular paper clips!

I must have been under a rock when I first found out about this! Museum Putty is extremely versatile and easy to use. My favorite use of this item is for keeping pencil cups, folder bins (that always seem to topple over), and breakable items stationary on the surface. A little goes a long way.

Not many teachers will see the need for this, but I an extra clock can do wonders in the classroom. I find that using and digital clock helps young students become more independent when they are not yet able to tell time from an analog clock. 

Ok… This is more of a personal necessity. We have all had those moments when we ate a meal and a random piece of food has decided to tag along with us for the rest of the day. A small mirror in your teacher’s closet or even inside your desk can help keep tag-alongs at bay. You will thank me later.

“I don’t like prizes”, said no one. Prize boxes are a great tool for individual and classroom incentives. They can also be used for behavior management depending on how you incentivize positive behavior. I prefer giving prizes to snacks and treats.

I have not yet met a teacher who does not like felt tip markers. My favorite brand so far has been Paper Mate because they glide so smoothly across the paper. I also enjoy using them with my teacher planner.

I love color coding my teacher planner with felt tip markers because I am a visual person. Undated planners are great for teachers who like to start their weeks on non-traditional days such as Monday or maybe even Saturday… Do whatever works for you!

I go through a lot of these throughout the year. I prefer to laminate documents and items that get consistent use such as center activities, flashcards, word walls, and classroom labels. 

Great for displaying student work on bulletin boards, or storing documents that receive heavy usage but don’t necessarily need to be laminated.

Don’t like dry erase pockets? That’s ok! You can create your own dry erase pockets by using sheet protectors. The greatest part is that when they become too filthy, you can easily toss and replace them. You can also use them for storing, organizing, and filing documents.

I have found multiple uses for these answer buzzers. They can be used for center activities, small group activities, or just for fun. Students love hearing their recorded voices playback so it helps to keep them engaged.

I absolutely love these bright-colored paper options. Their colors are always crisp and eye-catching.

I found these very handy when my students had to socially distance themselves and use their own supplies. These caddies are great for organizing, making classroom supplies accessible, and moving supplies around the classroom easily.

These are a lifesaver! Some students just have the wiggles and stompies. These fidget chair bands work wonders on getting out that extra energy without distracting students from the work they should be doing.

Now, this is an upgrade from regular chart paper! I love using Post-Its Easel Pad Paper because my charts can be moved around the classroom without the need for clips or tape.

Paper clips, thumbtacks, rubber bands, push pins, binder clips… so many little things to keep track of! This 26-Drawer Plastic Storage Organizer Cabinet makes it easy to organize my stationery items while making them accessible whenever I need them.

Not every classroom will be able to use this due to restrictions, but the Amazon Echo Dot is small and compact enough to have in your classroom with just enough sound for everyone in the room to hear. I love using it for quiet time music, thinking music, or any activity that requires music. 

Great for organizing, decorating, and hanging things around the room or on your boards. A great classroom must have for new teachers.

Great for labeling items around the classroom, organizing files, and more.

This is an awesome resource if you have the space for it (not everyone does). The Classroom Keepers 30 Slot Mailbox can save you time and organization depending on how you plan to use it. I have used this item for notes to go home, student work, and more.

I love these because you can group students by color, number, or shape. A great way to keep students guessing and change things up every once in a while.

Dry Erase Clip Boards are changing the game! I love the fact that they serve as dry erase boards or clipboards as needed. This set comes with erasers for each board so you will have a complete class set at your disposal. All you need is a cubby or bin to store them in!

Timers are great for keeping lessons on pace or providing a visual reminder for students as they work. I recommend assigning a timer monitor to make this task easier on yourself. 

Whether students are working on a project or small group activities, portable project cases are great for keeping student work organized. I also use them to keep my centers and curriculum materials organized while they are stored in my closets. Very handy!

Let’s face it… Sometimes the closet space we have is just not enough! These closet door organizers give you a little extra storage space. They can also be placed around the room to make classroom materials more accessible.

I don’t know what it is about pencil sharpeners, but they seem to magically fall apart before the school year ends. I have had my Bostitch electric pencil sharpener for the last three years and it is still going strong.  I recommend having assigned students for pencil duty otherwise you might not get as much life out of yours.

A 3-Hole Punch comes in handy no matter how many holes you need to punch. Always a handy tool to have in the classroom.

Teachers need scissors too and not the safety kind. Just be sure to keep these away from small hands.

For precision cutting, I highly recommend getting a paper trimmer. They also come in handy when cutting laminated items. As an early childhood teacher, I made a lot of flashcards and this was a lifesaver!

Speaking of flash cards and hole punchers, you need these in your life! I use binder rings for flash cards and center games. Super handy, easy to use, and a classroom must have for new teachers.

Now, this isn’t a must-have for new teachers, but if you prefer color copies it’s a must-have. The great thing about this color printer is that it comes equipped with Amazon Dash and HP Instant Ink so you won’t have to worry about running out.

Cardstock is heavier than standard copy paper. Due to its durability, it is a great choice for paper crafts and cards.