My Amazon Classroom List
Today I thought I would share with you the list of things I have on my Amazon List for my classroom. If you didn’t know you can make lists on Amazon and slowly buy stuff or send to friends and family for birthday ideas hahaha. Here is what I have saved for a rainy day to update my classroom:
1. Multicultural Crayons
My students are constantly drawing themself or their friends and for some reason, regular crayons do not provide the array of skin colors we all have. Instead you can purchase a box of 12 from Amazon for $18.75.
2. A Door Bell
I have seen these a lot when reading teacher blogs and my professor I observed used this so well I had to get one. Most teachers use this doorbell to signal a transition in class. It helps become an automatic so when you click it kids know to go to the next thing. I am so excited to try this out and create an almost silent routine for my students.
3. Fill In Dictionary
If you haven’t used a dictionary that your students can add to, this is a must. The green dictionary (pictured below) is a starter dictionary that comes filled with words and blank lines for your student to add their own words to. I just found the orange dictionary that adds on to the green dictionary, I had no clue it existed! I love to implement this daily in the classroom when my students are writing. It allows them to independently search and add to their words.
4. Writing Journal
Every student needs a writing journal. It’s a great daily practice activity but also becomes a time capsule to show them and their parents how much they have learned in a year. I really like this composition journal because it was made for younger kids in mind. This means it has big lines with the dotted middle line and a space for them to draw.
5. Magnetic Adjustable Curtain Rod
You’re probably thinking, what in the world do I need this rod for. But seriously, look at how A Touch of Class Teaching used it (she also has a free template for the flip calendar):
6. Number Lines
If you teach littles, number lines are like hot cakes. I am constantly giving them out, folding them, tearing them. I might be worse than my students at taking care of them to be honest but I seriously know if I buy a bulk load I am set for the year.
7. Microphone
My mom bought this microphone last year and it has been on my list for my new class. I am so excited to take away my students fear of presenting by giving them this fun and working microphone. I plan for it to also help when it comes to taking turns for our end of the day circle time (fingers crossed). If you don’t like rose gold there are 10 other colors to choose from.
8. Whiteboard Storage
Every year I tell myself I am going to buy whiteboard storage to hang on my whiteboard. And every year I forget and then run around every day trying to find my white board markers on the other side of the classroom. No more
9. Reusable Bulletin Paper
This paper is amazing! I took it down from my classroom this year and the thickness of it is super durable I am able to use it next year. I think you could actually get quite a few years out of it. I hate wasting my time putting up butcher paper just to take it down again, so this is definitely a staple in my room and I need just a few more to complete my classroom.
10. A Cute Rug
If I am in a treat yo self mood, I may get this rug. I have seen a lot of companies making more stylish children rugs which I love. I am not a fan of how some kids stuff looks aesthetically (I’m a very picky person). This one is super cute but it is pricey at $89.99. If you’re crazy like me though, this is going on lists to ask for Birthday’s and Christmas when people ask what I want because duh, I just want teacher stuff. I’m not sure if I will buy this but I like to put these things on my lists because you never know when the price may drop.
I hope this gave you some ideas of things that I use in my classroom that you may need to stock up on or try out. I know that it can get expensive to provide all of these things for your classroom. I am lucky because I don’t have as many students as the general education population. I also don’t have kids of my own, so this literally is what I spend all of my time and money on.
I also know it’s unrealistic to spend $7 each for a dictionary of 30 kids. In special ed, we usually have the same kids each year (if I would stay in one place). This means the overall cost isn’t as much because we are usually buying this stuff for a few years. As a teacher you have to pick and choose where you want to spend your money on, these are just my top things I am planning to buy here and there. My goal is to spend only $200-$300 for the new school year max and make everything else myself. Stay tuned for another post though where I show you how you can ask others to buy these items for you!
Happy Teaching :)