The Best Teaching Supplies for Your Amazon Wish List

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I only recommend products that I use and love.

If you haven’t started your wish list yet, read this post first for a step-by-step walkthrough of how to create one. Then, come back here to get some ideas for the best supplies to add to it. 

For the Classroom

#1 – Dry Erase Whiteboard

A dry erase whiteboard is a necessity for your small group lessons. When you’re sitting at a small group table or on the floor, you usually don’t have access to your large blackboard or whiteboard. That’s why this small dry erase whiteboard will come in very handy!

It’s small enough to fit on a table, and it has a stand that will keep it from falling. You can use it to model math problems, display vocabulary words, or practice phonics skills. Plus, it’s light and portable, so it can travel with you as you move around during the day.

#2 – KleenSlate Whiteboards

Individual white boards are another necessity. You can use them to formatively assess your whole class or to have your students answer questions in small groups. My favorite individual whiteboards are KleenSlate Whiteboards. You can tell they were designed by a teacher.

My favorite features of these whiteboards are:

• Their handles – When your students hold up their answers, their fingers won’t cover their writing anymore. They can hold onto the handle and keep their hands out of the way.
• The included supplies – KleenSlate whiteboards come with markers and erasers, and they attach to the whiteboards so your students will never lose their supplies. The erasers attach to the bottom of the handle, and there is a holder for the marker on the back of the whiteboard.
• A pocket for templates – The back of the whiteboard has a special pocket that will hold templates, like part-part-whole diagrams and cause and effect charts. There are many different templates available online that you can print and use with the whiteboards.

#3 – Innox Sticky Notes

If you love using post-it notes in your classroom, you are going to want to try Innox Sticky Notes. These are game-changers because they are reuseable, and they’ll stick to any surface forever. 

I love using sticky notes for exit tickets. Innox Sticky Notes work really well because your students can keep them on the sides of their desks until they’re ready to use them. They should write their names on the colored side, which will make it permanent.

Then, they can use dry erase markers to write their answers on the white sides of the sticky notes. After you check their answers, they can erase them and reuse the sticky notes.

#4 – Post-It Super Sticky Easel Pads

Another amazing teaching supply you should add to your Amazon wish list is an easel pad. I love using these to make anchor charts during reading and math mini lessons.

The Post-It Super Sticky Easel Pads are my favorite because you can easily display them around the classroom. Just pull off the page and stick it to the wall or a whiteboard in your classroom. You can easily switch them out throughout the school year.

#5 – Best-Rite Wheasel

If you don’t have an easel in your classroom yet, it’s time to get one. Put the easel in your whole group meeting area, and use it to create anchor charts with your students.

I love the Best-Rite Wheasel because it has wheels so you can easily move it around your classroom. It also has a shelf on the bottom where you can store your markers and other supplies. Plus, it’s double sided, so you can use it for two different subjects simultaneously.

For the Students

#1 – Class Set of Headphones

If your students have devices, like Chromebooks or iPads, a class set of headphones is a necessity. They will allow your students to listen to videos or books while your classroom stays silent. 

This set of 30 pairs should have enough for all the students in your class. 

#2 – Pencil Boxes

Help your students stay organized by giving each of them a pencil box. This is the perfect place for them to store their pencils, crayons, scissors, and other school supplies.

This set of 24 pencil boxes will provide one for each of your students. 

#3 – Pencils

Let’s be honest. You can never have too many pencils, so it’s a great idea to add them to your Amazon wish list. 

These Ticonderoga pencils are my favorites because they are already sharpened.

#4 – Folders

Keep your students organized by giving them a folder for each of their classes. I like to use a different color for each subject, so I can say, “Take out your blue math folder.” That makes it a lot easier for the students to find it in their desks.

You can add a set of folders in several different colors to your Amazon wish list. 

#5 – Fidget Toys

Some of your students may need fidget toys to help them focus throughout the school day. Adding them to your Amazon wish list is a great way to get them. 

I love this 50 piece set because it has a lot of different options for your students. 

For You (the Teacher)

#1 – Flair Pens

As you’re creating your Amazon wish list, don’t forget to think about things for yourself. If you have a favorite brand of grading pens, add them to your list. 

I love these flair pens because there are so many fun colors, and they make grading a little less boring.

#2 – A Mini Fridge

If you’re allowed to have a mini fridge in your classroom, I highly recommend getting one! It’s a great place to keep some healthy snacks, like fruits and vegetables. It’s also a great way to keep your lunch from being accidentally taken from the fridge in the faculty room.

If anyone asks you why you have a mini fridge on your wish list, you can tell them it’s for ice packs for your students because this Igloo mini fridge has a small freezer area.

#3 – A Wireless Doorbell

Save your voice by getting a wireless doorbell for your classroom. Just ring the doorbell to get your students’ attention instead of raising your voice.

This one has 36 different chimes, so you could use different ones to mean different things.

#4 – A Personal Laminator

Avoid standing in line to laminate by adding your own personal laminator to your wish list. This will save you so much time when you have small laminating jobs to do.

This Scotch Thermal Laminator is my favorite. Don’t forget to add some laminating pouches to your list, too. 

#5 – A Printer

Having a printer in your classroom will allow you to print pages you need quickly and easily. You won’t have to wait in line for the school printer anymore, and if it’s broken, you can still print the pages you need.

This Epson EcoTank is my favorite printer. Remember to add some extra ink and printer paper to your wish list, too. 

#6 – Your Favorite Read Aloud Books

Add a few of your favorite read aloud books to your Amazon wish list. I have too many to list all of them, but here are just a few.

Do Unto Otters

Jabari Jumps

What Do You Do With an Idea?

If you want more book suggestions and more ideas for items to add to your Amazon wish list, check out my Amazon storefront. 

Amazon Wish List Tips

Creating your Amazon wish list is a great first step. Now we need to get people to buy things from it. Here are a few ways to share your wish list.

1. Post your wish list on your social media channels. Your family members and friends would love to support you and your classroom. Use the hashtags #clearthelists, #clearthelist, and #support_a_teacher to get even more reach.
2. Send your wish list link to your students’ parents at the beginning of the school year. Many of them are looking for ways they can help you, so they will order things for your classroom.
3. Watch for posts on social media that allow you to share your wish list. In some teacher Facebook groups, there are opportunities to share the link to your wish list. You never know when you’ll get something from someone you don’t even know.
4. See if any companies are helping to clear teacher wish lists. I know Erin Condren purchases items from teachers’ wish lists during Teacher Appreciation Week. Other companies do the same thing at other times of the year. Submit your wish list and see if any of your wishes are granted.

One last tip: Make sure the items you added to your wish list are at a wide range of price points. Some people will just want to get you a small item while others will be willing to spend more money. 

You’re Invited!

Looking for more ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

Join The Differentiation Conversation Community, a free community for elementary teachers where we share practical differentiation strategies, ready-to-use resources, and encouragement to help you meet the needs of all your learners.

What Do You Think?

What else will you add to your Amazon wish list?

Let me know in the comments below.

If you enjoyed this post and think your teacher friends will, too, please click the button to share it on your favorite social media platform.

The post The Best Teaching Supplies for Your Amazon Wish List appeared first on Teach Without Tears.

Creative Ways to Spend Your Classroom Budget Money

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I only recommend products that I use and love.

The first few years of teaching, you will probably be able to think of hundreds of things you need to buy with your budget money. If you still need some basic teaching supplies, check out this post to discover some high quality supplies that will last for years to come.

However, if you’ve been teaching for a while, you may have a hard time deciding how to spend your money. You already have the supplies you need, and you’re not sure what will make the biggest difference for you and your students. 

Here are some creative ways to spend your classroom budget money.

#1 – Morning Bins

If you’re looking for an exciting way to start the day with your students, consider putting together some bins for your students to use as they enter your classroom in the morning. 

First, you’ll need some bins. This set of six containers will be perfect for morning bins! If you put your students’ desks into six groups, there will be one bin for each group each day. Each group will get a different box each day. 

You can put anything you think your students will enjoy in the bins, but here are some ideas:

• Tangrams – Solving tangram puzzles is a fun way to help your students start thinking in the morning. Their brains will be warmed up for your first subject of the day. This set of 209 wooden tangram pieces will keep your students engaged. They can create the designs on the picture cards or make their own unique designs. They can work independently or with their groups.  
• Building Blocks – If your students love building with Legos, they will have so much fun with this bin full of building blocks. They can follow the directions in the included booklet to build helicopters, giraffes, and dinosaurs or they can use their imaginations to build their own creations. 
• Magnets – Making things with magnets is a fun way to start the day. Your students will have so much fun discovering different things they can create.
• Play-Doh – Your students will love using play-doh to make different creations in the morning. You could even put some small rolling pins and cookie cutters in this bin, too, so your students can practice rolling the dough and cutting it into different shapes.

#2 – Class Sets of Supplies

There are certain things that are nice to have for each of your students. For example, if you want to formatively assess your students’ knowledge of a new math concept, you can have them write their answers on whiteboards and show you their answers.

Class sets of supplies can be expensive, but if you gradually add more each year, eventually you will have a full class set. 

Here are some supplies that are helpful to have for each of your students:

• Whiteboards – There are so many different uses for individual student whiteboards, in addition to formative assessments. Students can use them instead of paper to show their work, and they can use them during small group lessons. These KleenSlate whiteboards are my favorite because they have the marker and eraser attached, so they won’t get lost. However, if you need a more budget-friendly option, this class set comes with markers and erasers. 
• Clipboards – Clipboards were actually the first thing I bought as a class set. My students loved working around the classroom, and they needed something hard to write on so they didn’t get holes in their papers. You can put all the clipboards in a basket so your students can get them when they want to work away from their desks.
• Headphones – If your students have one-to-one devices, like iPads or Chromebooks, it’s nice to have a class set of headphones. I found that when I asked parents to send in headphones, a lot of them sent earbuds that got tangled and broken the first month of school. Others never sent any headphones at all. So, eventually, I invested in a class set of headphones so each student would have a pair to use all year long.

#3 – Flexible Seating

Students love working around the classroom, and a class set of clipboards is just the first step in allowing them to do that. Flexible seating options will give your students lots of choices for comfortable spots to work when they don’t want to stay at their desks.

Like class sets of supplies, it may take you a few years to build up your collection of flexible seating options. However, it will be worth it in the long run. 

Here are some of my favorite types of flexible seating:

• Yoga Ball Chair – Your students will love sitting on these yoga ball chairs to do their work. They are comfortable and allow the students to bounce if that helps them concentrate.
• Wiggle Stools – Allow your students to wiggle while they work with these special stools. 
• Square Floor Cushions – If your students want to sit on the floor and still be comfortable, these cushions are a great option. They stack neatly when not in use and are easy to move from one place to another around the classroom. 
• Lap Desks – These lap desks provide the perfect place for your students to write away from their regular desks. They also give your students a place to keep all of their supplies if they’re away from their desks for a long period of time. These stack neatly when not in use. 

Want Some Activities for the End of the School Year?

7 Fun and Engaging End of the School Year Activities

You’re Invited!

Looking for new ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

Join The Differentiation Conversation Community, a free community for elementary teachers where we share practical differentiation strategies, ready-to-use resources, and encouragement to help you meet the needs of all your learners.

What Do You Think?

What are your favorite ways to spend your budget money?

Let me know in the comments below.

If you enjoyed this post and think your teacher friends will, too, please click the button to share it on your favorite social media platform.

The post Creative Ways to Spend Your Classroom Budget Money appeared first on Teach Without Tears.

The Best Printers for Teachers

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I only recommend products that I use and love.

Two years ago, administrators in my district decided to limit the number of copies teachers could make. Our copiers are also our printers, so we had to start watching carefully how many pages we printed. Every time we use the copier, we have to put in our pin number and it deducts the number of pages we print or copy.

We also used to be able to print in color. However, they decided that cost too much money, so now we’re limited to black and white. Some things just look better in color! 

The other problem with the copier also being the printer is that you have to wait in the huge copy line if you want to print 1 page. When the teacher in front of you has 100 pages to copy, you end up waiting 10 minutes for that one paper. 

And then there are the days when not a single printer in the entire building is working. You just need that one paper, and there’s no way to get it – so frustrating!

These are just a few reasons why a printer is a good investment. Here are three of the best printers for teachers.

#1 – Epson Expression ET-2150 EcoTank Wireless Color Printer

There are a lot of great things about the Epson Expression Color Printer! First of all, it comes with up to 2 years of ink. You can print 4,000 black and white copies and 6,500 color copies without changing the ink!

This printer is also wireless, so you can print from any device. I love being able to open my email on my phone and print directly from it. That is such a huge time-saver!

In addition to being a printer, it is also a scanner and copier. Since I have this printer at home, I only use it as a copier when I ablsolutely have to – like a day when there’s a faculty meeting at 7:30 and I need a set of math papers as soon as it’s over at 8:30. I don’t like to waste my ink on copies, but it’s nice to have the option when I need it.

#2 – HP OfficeJet 3830

The HP OfficeJet 3830 is the perfect size for your desk at school. My district no longer allows us to have printers in our classrooms. They like to have complete control over how much we print at school. However, if you’re allowed to have a printer in your classroom, this one is perfect!

I loved having a printer in my room because if I forgot something and class had already started, I could just send it to my printer. That saved me so many times! I was very sad to say good-bye to it!

One of the best things about this printer is that it comes with 4 free months of ink. It also qualifies for HP Instant Ink. That means the printer keeps track of how much ink is left and automatically orders more when it’s getting low. How convenient!

Like the Epson, this printer is also wireless and serves as a fax machine and copier. It also has a touchscreen, and you can put it in “Quiet Mode” so it doesn’t distract your students while they’re working.

#3 – Canon imageCLASS LBP6230dw Wireless Laser Printer

If you don’t need to print in color, the Canon Laser Printer is perfect! It only prints in black and white. It’s also really fast and can print up to 26 pages in a minute. 

Benefits of a Printer

Even with the push to make everything digital, you still need papers sometimes. That’s why it’s nice to have a printer nearby. 

All three of these printers will last a long time, and you won’t spend a lot of money on ink. They are also all wireless, so you can print from your computer, phone, or iPad.

Check out the best teacher bags and the most comfortable shoes for teaching.

You’re Invited!

Looking for more ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

Join The Differentiation Conversation Community, a free community for elementary teachers where we share practical differentiation strategies, ready-to-use resources, and encouragement to help you meet the needs of all your learners.

What Do You Think?

What is your favorite printer?
Let me know in the comments below. 

If you enjoyed this post and think your teacher friends will, too, please click the button to share it on your favorite social media platform.

The post The Best Printers for Teachers appeared first on Teach Without Tears.

Use Marie Kondo’s Tips to Tidy Up Your Classroom

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I only recommend products that I use and love.

Last weekend, I binge watched Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix. I got some great ideas for organizing my house. Then, I started wondering how her tips could help me organize my classroom.

Marie divides all organizing into 5 categories:

1. Clothing
2. Books
3. Papers
4. Komono (miscellaneous items)
5. Sentimental Items

Clothing is really the only category that doesn’t apply to school (except taking sweatshirts that are left in your closet to the lost and found). All of the other areas are applicable to the classroom, too. Let’s take a look at each category.

Books

Over my 14 years of teaching, I have accumulated thousands of books. I know what you’re thinking – I’ve spent years trying to find inexpensive books for my classroom library! There’s no way I’m getting rid of them!

You definitely don’t want get rid of those books. You need a wide array of genres and levels for your students to select, especially if you use reading workshop. I clean out these books as my students bring them to me with missing pages. With my students’ help, I’m able to keep my classroom library organized, and all of those books are getting used regularly.

The books I’m talking about cleaning out are the resource and professional development books you’ve accumulated over the years. I have five entire bookshelves full of them in my classroom. Most of them haven’t been touched for years.

According to Marie Kondo, you should take all the books off your shelves and put them in piles on the floor. Then, you’re supposed to tap the piles to “wake them up”. I skipped this step so my teammates wouldn’t think I was losing my mind.

Marie also says you should touch each book and ask yourself if it “sparks joy”. There are a few books that really do spark joy for me, like Jennifer Serravallo’s Reading Strategies Book. I use it all the time, and it really helps me plan my strategy groups. Most of my other books don’t spark joy for me, but they are useful. Therefore, the question I asked myself was, “Have I used this book in the past 5 years?” If not, I’m probably not going to use it in the next 5 years.

Weeding through my books, I found textbooks that went with math and reading programs we had 10 years ago, workbooks from when I taught 5th grade, and things left behind by previous teachers. When I was done, my 5 shelves were consolidated into 2.

Papers

The next category is papers, and if your desk looks anything like mine, you know how quickly papers can build up in a classroom. Marie divides papers into three groups: pending documents, important documents, and miscellaneous documents. Let’s take a look at each one and how we can deal with them in our classrooms.

Pending Documents

Marie describes pending documents as things you need to do.  In the classroom, this would be papers to grade and forms that need to be completed. Marie says to go through these documents and get rid of them as quickly as possible. I try to get my grading done and papers returned the same day. That way, piles don’t build up everywhere. I also don’t grade everything. Find out how to avoid taking papers home to grade.

Important Documents

Important documents are things you need permanently. You should find a place to keep them so you know where they are when you need them. I use binders to organize all my math papers and file folders for all my science and social studies papers. Find a system that works for you so you don’t have to spend hours digging through piles to find one paper you need.

I’ve started using Google to create all my documents and store them in Google Drive. I organize everything into folders, so it’s easy to find what I need. That really cuts back on the number of papers I need to store.

Miscellaneous Documents

Marie describes miscellaneous documents as things you refer to frequently. I group my lesson plans into this category, since I look at them throughout the day. My lesson plans are on the computer since that saves me time, but my Erin Condren Teacher Lesson Planner is on my desk so I can quickly glance to see what’s going on that day.

I keep all the other miscellaneous documents in folders and store them in my desk organizer. That way, I can access them quickly when I need them.

Komono

Marie describes komono as any miscellaneous items. In a house it includes the kitchen, bathroom, and garage. In the classroom, it includes all your cabinets, closets, and desk drawers. Again, you should take everything out and spread it on the floor. Go through one item at a time and decide what makes you happy and is useful. Make a pile of items to keep and a pile of items to throw away or donate.

Next, sort the items that you’re keeping. Put like items together. I put all my pocket charts on one shelf of my closet. All my school supplies, like colored pencils, crayons, and glue sticks, go on another shelf.

Marie often uses boxes to organize like items. I did this with my math supplies. I put all my fraction strips in a shoebox, dice in a container, and clocks in a basket. Now, my students and I will be able to easily access everything we need.

Komono is the area that took me the longest. There are so many little areas in my classroom that get disorganized. When I’m in a rush, I end up just shoving things anywhere there’s a spot. Now that everything is where it belongs, I’m going to try really hard to put things back where they belong.

Sentimental Items

Marie saves sentimental items for last because by the time you get to this point, you should be good at picking out what sparks joy in you. In my case, I was good at deciding what would be useful and what would just sit around for years to come. The sentimental items in my classroom were units I haven’t taught for the past 5 years and trinkets students bought me over the years.

I pulled bins of supplies out of my closet for units I loved, but I haven’t taught them since we started using science kits. I cleaned them out and put the items on my donate pile. At this point, I realized I missed some papers in my filing cabinet. I still had file folders packed with papers for old units. I threw them away, and that opened up a lot of space in my filing cabinet drawers.

Next, I moved on to items that are sitting around my room that my students gave me. I have little signs, stuffed animals, and notes. I organized my favorites that bring me joy and parted ways with the rest.

Tidy Up Your Classroom

To help you use Marie Kondo’s tips to tidy up your classoom, I created a checklist of the four categories. You can download it at the bottom of this post.

Marie Kondo says it’s important to express gratitude to the things you are getting rid of, so be sure to say thank you to them as you put them in the garbage or into donation bags. Everything that has helped us teach our students and make us better educators definitely deserves our gratitude.

Check out these supplies that will help you organize your classroom.

Get more tips from Marie Kondo in her book.

You’re Invited!

Looking for ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

Join The Differentiation Conversation Community, a free community for elementary teachers where we share practical differentiation strategies, ready-to-use resources, and encouragement to help you meet the needs of all your learners.

What Do You Think?

How do you keep your classroom organized?

Let me know in the comments below.

If you enjoyed this post and think your teacher friends will, too, please click the button to share it on your favorite social media platform.

The post Use Marie Kondo’s Tips to Tidy Up Your Classroom appeared first on Teach Without Tears.

Reading Workshop Supplies

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I only recommend products that I use and love.

Reading workshop has completely changed my reading instruction. I love it because my students are engaged in meaningful reading and are working toward their individual goals. However, it required a complete transformation of my classroom. These reading workshop supplies help everything run smoothly.

#1 – An Easel

An important part of your reading workshop lesson is the minilesson. You want a space in your room where your whole class can gather and an easel to display your anchor charts. I also stock up on chart paper and flair pens because I go through them quickly.

When we’re ready to begin the minilesson, my whole class moves to the carpet in our classroom library. They sit beside their reading partners and get ready to find out the focus of the day’s lesson. I always end the minilesson with a task students need to do in their books. I write it on the easel, so they can easily see it if they forget what to do. Then, we come back to this area at the end of the lesson for our share.

#2 – The Reading Strategies Book

This year, my school district adopted Lucy Calkins Units of Study for reading workshop. That program outlines exactly what to do and say for each reading workshop lesson. If you don’t have a program like that, The Reading Strategies Book by Jennifer Seravallo is an amazing resource! I used to to plan every minilesson the past few years. I picked a strategy my students needed to practice and used the anchor charts and suggestions in the book.

There is also a Writing Strategies Book that is equally amazing for writing workshop.

#3 – A Full Classroom Library

Your students are going to read hundreds of books during reading workshop, so it’s really important to have a well-stocked classroom library. I have four bookshelves full of books, and I’m always looking for new titles my students will love.

Here are some tips for finding free and cheap books for your classroom library and some tips for organizing your library.

#4 – Book Boxes

Since your students are going to spend at least 30 minutes a day reading, they need somewhere to keep those books. I started with cardboard book boxes, but I had to replace them every year. Then, I decided to invest in plastic book boxes from Really Good Stuff, and they are still in great condition after 5 years.

My students keep other materials in their book boxes in addition to their books. They have a reading notebook and folder. They also have a pencil case stocked with pencils, post-its, and bookmarks. That way, when they move to start reading, they have everything they need. They use the post-its to mark important parts, pencils to take notes, and bookmarks to mark their spots. That prevents them from getting up and walking around during reading workshop.

#5 – Comfy Pillows

My students’ favorite part of reading workshop is finding a comfy spot to read. I have pillows around the room, and we have a rotating schedule to show who gets to use them each day. That prevents arguments and makes sure everyone gets started right away.

If you want help planning your reading workshop lessons, head over to the Teach Without Tears TPT Store to check out my reading workshop lessons for grades 1 to 5.

Check out these tools that will keep your classroom organized.

Don’t miss these other amazing resources for your classroom!

You’re Invited!

Looking for ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

Join The Differentiation Conversation Community, a free community for elementary teachers where we share practical differentiation strategies, ready-to-use resources, and encouragement to help you meet the needs of all your learners.

What Do You Think?

What supplies do you use for a successful reading workshop?

Let me know in the comments below.

If you enjoyed this post and think your teacher friends will, too, please click the button to share it on your favorite social media platform.

The post Must-Have Reading Workshop Supplies for Your Classroom appeared first on Teach Without Tears.

There are some supplies that are necessary to run a classroom. However, not all office supplies can survive a classroom full of students. I had to replace my pencil sharpeners, staplers, and book boxes every year for my first few years of teaching. Then, I found some amazing office supplies that can stand up to 25 third graders.

Amazing Office Supplies Every Teacher Needs

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I only recommend products that I use and love.

#1 – X-ACTO School Pro Classroom Electric Pencil Sharpener

I can’t tell you how much money I spent on pencil sharpeners early in my teaching career. One year, we went through four different pencil sharpeners. Each one lasted about two months.

Then, I decided that students were no longer allowed to use the pencil sharpener. That solved the problem of it breaking, but my lessons were constantly being interrupted because of broken pencils.

Finally, I did some research and found the best pencil sharpener. I purchased the X-ACTO School Pro Classroom Electric Pencil Sharpener, and I’ve had it for five years. Over a hundred students have used it, and it’s still going strong.

#2 – Swingline Stapler

My school district supplies us with some items, like staplers and tape dispensers. However, they are not good quality. When I used them, I was constantly removing jammed staples. Plus, they didn’t go through our thick science and social studies packets.

That’s why I decided to invest in the Swingline Stapler. It never jams, and it staples 40 sheets of paper. It solved all of my stapling problems.

#3 – Swingline Staple Remover

I am not a fan of thumbtacks, so I use my stapler to hang all of the papers in my classroom and in the hallway. When it comes time to take them down, my Swingline Staple Remover comes to the rescue. The papers come down in perfect condition ready to go home with my students.

#4 – Scissors

Do you constantly lose scissors like I do? I carry them with me to cut something, and never see them again. Somehow, they’re never in the work room or faculty room when I go to look for them. I’ve lost more scissors that way.

As a result, I stock up on scissors when they’re on sale. The Westcott Titanium Bonded Scissors come with two in a pack. That way, I always have a spare.

#5 – Bostitch 3-Hole Punch

Another office supply I use constantly is a 3-hole punch. Most of my students’ papers go into folders with fasteners. The first 3-hole punch I owned only punched 12 pages at a time, and I had to push on it so hard I thought I would break it. It took forever to get through a whole stack of papers.

Then, I purchased the Bostitch 3-Hole Punch. A gentle push hole punches up to 40 sheets of paper. I get through the whole stack in less than one minute.

#6 – Scotch PRO Thermal Laminator

I don’t have a personal laminator because my school has a big one that works really well. However, I know some teachers don’t have access to a laminator at school.

I’ve heard great things about the Scotch PRO Thermal Laminator, and if I get one, this is definitely the one I will purchase.

#7 – Post-It Notes

I use post-its for everything – writing notes to my students, making to-do lists, labeling things. My students also use them during our reading workshop to take notes about their books and to mark important parts. We go through post-its like crazy!

I invest in big packs of post-its so I never run out of them. My students love it when I get different colors and designs. Post-its are an easy way to keep them engaged and excited about learning.

#8 – Best-Rite Wheasel

An easel is necessary for every classroom. I use mine for everything! I display anchor charts on it, write directions on it, and use it for all my reading and writing lessons.

The Best-Rite Wheasel has two sides. I write on one whiteboard and put chart paper on the other side. The wheels on the bottom make it really easy to spin. There is even a tray underneath for storage!

#9 – Chart Paper

Chart paper is a requirement for reading and writing workshop. I am constantly making anchor charts to display in the classroom. The School Smart Chart Tablet fits perfectly on my easel, and my anchor charts turn out great.

#10 – Paper Mate Flair Pens

I’ve tried so many different types of pens for grading and writing my anchor charts. Flair pens are by far my favorite! They come in lots of different colors, and they make my anchor charts so pretty!

All of these amazing office supplies will make your life so much easier! They will also save you money in the long run, because you won’t have to replace them every year (unless you lose both pairs of scissors).

Check out these other Amazon products I love for my classroom!

Discover ways to organize your classroom the easy way, and find out what book boxes have lasted 5 years in my classroom.

You’re Invited!

Looking for ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate? 

Join The Differentiation Conversation Community, a free community for elementary teachers where we share practical differentiation strategies, ready-to-use resources, and encouragement to help you meet the needs of all your learners.

What Do You Think?

What is your favorite office supply to use in your classroom?

Let me know in the comments below.

The post Amazing Office Supplies Every Teacher Needs appeared first on Teach Without Tears.

How to Use Google to Organize Your Classroom

One of the worst days of my teaching career was when I lost my flash drive. It had 10 years worth of lesson plans, saved activities, and worksheets I created on it. All that work was gone, and I was devastated.

That’s the day I first heard about using Google to create and save my schoolwork. I already had a gmail address for my email, but I didn’t have a clue about the other features that came with it. Since then, I’ve learned lots more ways to use Google for organization. Keep reading to find out how you can use Google to organize your classroom.

Google Drive/Google Docs

Since discovering Google Drive, I’ve never used another flash drive or lost another document. When you create a Google Doc in drive, it automatically saves. You can also organize your documents into folders. That way, you will always know where to find them.

I’m working on scanning all my papers and saving them in Google Drive. My folders there are so much more organized than the drawers of my filing cabinet. Plus, I don’t have to worry about leaving them in the copy room and losing them.

Another awesome feature of Google Drive is that you can share any type of file you create. That means you can collaborate on the same document with other teachers. My team has a whole folder in Google Drive of materials we create and share.

Google Sheets

From Google Drive, you can also create a new sheet. Google Sheets works just like Excel. You can store all of your students’ test scores in sheets and easily find the average. You can even create graphs to show your students’ progress.

I am currently using Sheets to organize my students’ totals for our reading challenge. This sheet automatically find the total number of minutes for each student.

Google Forms

If your school district is trying to cut down on paper usage, Google Forms can help. You can create surveys and quizzes and assign them to your students online. All of their responses will be saved in a spreadsheet, so you can easily see who had the answers correct and who needs more practice in that area.

Gmail

In addition to sending and receiving emails, Gmail can keep you organized. You can label emails and group them so you know where to find them. For example, all the emails you receive from your students’ parents can be labeled “Parents,” and you’ll know exactly where they are.

Another awesome feature in Gmail is Google Tasks. If you’ve ever written a to-do list and then misplaced it, tasks is for you. Create a list with due dates and notes to yourself. Then, check them off as you complete them.

Google Classroom

Google Classroom is by far my favorite Google tool! You can create classes and invite your students to join them. Then, you can give them assignments that are completely online. You can include documents directly from Google Drive and links to websites.

Classroom keeps track of who has completed every assignment, and it organizes the documents neatly in your Drive. It has saved me so much time, and now I can grade without a huge stack of papers.

Find out more about how Google Classroom can save you time and paper.

Google Calendar

Are you looking for a way to keep your schedule organized? Meetings before and after school, doctor’s appointments, and common planning times are all easy to forget when you have a lot on your plate. Google Calendar will let you know when you’re supposed to be somewhere.

In Calendar, you can create as many different calendars as you would like. You can have one for at home and a separate one for school events. Just set notifications, and you will get a reminder before the event. You’ll never miss another meeting again.

Google Sites

Do you have a class website? You can keep your students and their parents up to date on everything happening in your classroom with Google Sites. Sites makes it really easy to create a class website. You can even add documents from your Google Drive and Google Calendar to your website!

Get Google Certified

My school district went 1:1 with Chromebooks 5 years ago, and every student and teacher received a gmail address. I started using Google Drive and Google Classroom daily. I was comfortable with using most of the Google tools.

This year, my district announced that every teacher needed to become a Google Certified Educator. At first, it just seemed like one more thing to do. The training modules take some time, and the questions are tricky. Plus, at the end there is a 3-hour long test to get the certification.

However, through the process, I learned so many new ways to use Google tools in my classroom. I can’t wait to apply the new skills I learned and make my classroom even more organized!

Use this link to find out more about becoming a Google Certified Educator.

Check out these products to help you organize your classroom.

You’re Invited!

Looking for ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

Join The Differentiation Conversation Community, a free community for elementary teachers where we share practical differentiation strategies, ready-to-use resources, and encouragement to help you meet the needs of all your learners.

What Do You Think?

What is your favorite Google tool to use in your classroom and why?

Let me know in the comments below.

The post How to Use Google to Organize Your Classroom appeared first on Teach Without Tears.

Top Resources for Classroom Organization

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I only recommend products that I use and love.

School budget orders are due soon. At my school, I get $100 a year from the district and $125 from our home-school association to spend on supplies. I almost always spend my money on items for classroom organization. I love having a neat and organized classroom where my students and I always know where everything is located.

These are some of the products I’ve invested in over the years (or I’m purchasing this year) that keep me from being a disorganized mess. I can’t survive without them!

#1 – Book Boxes

Since my district moved to Lucy Calkins Units of Study for reading, book boxes are a necessity. Reading workshop requires my students to have several books at all times. The book boxes keep them organized and hold everything they need.

• At least 3 books
• A reading workshop folder
• A reading log
• Post-its
• Pencils

That way they can stay in one place for the entire 30 minutes of reading workshop.

My first few years of doing reading workshop, I bought cardboard book boxes. They were less expensive, and I allowed my students to decorate them and take them home at the end of the year. However, a few months into the school year, they were falling apart. Plus, buying them every year proved to be more expensive than buying good quality book boxes.

Finally, I gave in and spent the money for these plastic book boxes. I’ve had them for five years now, and they are still in great shape! These were definitely one of the best investments I’ve ever made for classroom organization.

Find out more about how to set up reading workshop in your elementary classroom and how to keep your classroom library organized all year long.

#2 – Clipboard Organizer

My students use clipboards for everything!

• Task cards
• Partner reading around the room
• Writing workshop
• Unlock the Box Mysteries

I used to store the clipboards in baskets on the side of the room. However, they didn’t fit very well. They fell out all over the place, and it drove me crazy!

This clipboard stand is the perfect place to store all of the clipboards. My students can get them and return them when needed. An added bonus is that this organizer can also be used for whiteboards. I just might have to get a second one to organize those.

*Helpful Hint: Stock up on clipboards at the Dollar Tree. They even have some with pretty colors and cute designs.

#3 – Hanging Center Organizer

One of my biggest organizational issues has always been keeping my centers organized. I put them out for my guided math groups, and inevitably pieces always get lost. That’s why I invested in these hang-up totes and sturdy rack. It fits perfectly on my windowsill and is easily accessible to all my students during centers.

All the materials my students need are inside the bag. They take it to their table, do the activity, and put everything right back into the bag. This organizer has significantly cut down on missing center pieces.

#4 – Classroom Papers Organizer

I like to spend my special on Friday making copies for the following week. The only problem is that I have to put them somewhere until I need them. In my early teaching years, there were many times when I set a stack of papers somewhere and couldn’t find it when I needed it.

This classroom paper organizer solved that problem. It has a shelf for each day of the week. Papers I need on Monday go on the top shelf. That way, Monday morning all I have to do is grab the stack, and I’m set for the day.

This is also great if you need a last-minute substitute. Everything is ready. Just type your sub plans at home and have a colleague print them out and grab the stack of papers. Your sub is good to go.

I’ve also created a 5-Step End of the Day Organizational Checklist. I have it laminated on the side of my desk, and before I leave school each day, I make sure 5 things are done. That results in a stress-free morning. Be sure to download the checklist at the bottom of this post. You can edit it to include your 5 important things to do at the end of each day.

#5 – Student Mailboxes

In addition to finding a good place to organize my papers, I also needed somewhere to organize my students’ papers. Returning corrected math homework, distributing picture forms, and sending home newsletters always took forever. Plus, the papers would end up on the floor or shoved in my students’ desks.

This classroom mail center is one of my favorite organizers in my classroom. In the morning, I put all the papers my students need to take home, including their math homework, in their mailboxes. At the end of the day when we’re packing, they get their mail, add it to their folders, and it actually makes it home.

#6 – Earbud Pocket Chart

This is another item that is added to my budget request for this year. My school district supplies earbuds for each student at the beginning of the year to use with their Chromebooks. Those earbuds get shoved in their desks and 50% of them are broken by the end of the first month.

I need a better way to organize them, and this pocket chart seems like the perfect solution. Each student will keep the earbuds in a pocket, and that way they won’t get all tangled and stuck on things in their desks. I may also keep my students’ password cards in these pockets so they don’t get lost.

#7 – 10-Drawer Rolling Organizer

My teammate across the hall has one of these 10-Drawer Rolling Organizers. She uses it to store all the different math manipulatives her students need. I love the way it looks and how organized it keeps the supplies.

Right now, my problem is that I don’t have space for it in my classroom. However, as soon as I clear an area, this will be my next purchase.

#8 – Poster and Chart Folders

Since we started reading workshop this year, I have so many anchor charts that go along with the Lucy Calkins lessons. I don’t want to throw them away and remake them every year. This Bulletin Board Storage Bag is just what I need. It will keep the chart papers in order and prevent them from getting bent.

#9 – Desktop Organizer

I have to admit that my desk used to be one of the messiest parts of my classroom. There were piles of papers everywhere! Then, I bought a desktop organizer, and my desk stays much neater.

What I love about this desktop organizer is that there are different sections for all your papers. Put your grading in one section, substitute information in a second, and papers to copy in a third. Plus, the shelf on top is perfect for storing your stapler, tape, and other office supplies. This will protect your desk from becoming cluttered!

An Organized Classroom

All of these organizational supplies help to keep me (and my students) organized. I’m a lot less stressed when I know where everything is and I don’t have to search for things.

Check out these other amazing resources for your classroom!

You’re Invited!

Looking for ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

Join The Differentiation Conversation Community, a free community for elementary teachers where we share practical differentiation strategies, ready-to-use resources, and encouragement to help you meet the needs of all your learners.

What Do You Think?

How do you keep your classroom organized?

Let me know in the comments below.

If you enjoyed this post and think your teacher friends will, too, please click the button to share it on your favorite social media platform.

The post Classroom Organization the Easy Way appeared first on Teach Without Tears.

How to Use Data to Drive Instruction

MAP, CDT, Study Island, 4Sight. . .we give our students so many tests to see how they will do on state standardized assessments. The results are graphs, numbers, and charts that make your head spin.

I’ve spent hours at inservices, during planning periods, and at home analyzing data and trying to use it to plan lessons. I knew there had to be an easier way to use the data. Here are my top tips for analyzing data.

#1 – Look for trends in the data to plan whole class lessons.

I start by looking at the areas where my class as a whole missed a lot of questions. I drill down to the 5 standards that had the lowest percentages. Then, I plan whole class lessons on those concepts.

For example, on our last CDT, a large number of my students missed questions on point of view. I planned some whole class lessons on the difference between 1st person and 3rd person point of view. We also started talking about point of view more during our read alouds.

For math, the lowest concepts are usually ones we haven’t covered yet. The data shows me which lessons I need to focus on most and which ones I can move through more quickly because my students already understand the concepts.

#2 – Look at individual scores to form small groups.

Once you’ve reviewed the overall data, it’s time to drill down to individual students. Look at the standards you have taught, and see which students missed those questions. Form small groups based on the data.

I use the math data to form my guided math groups. The students who have mastered the standard are in my top group, and they do enrichment activities at the problem solving center. The students who only missed a few questions are in my middle group. The ones who missed most of the questions are in my lowest group, and I work with them longer in my group and give them lots of opportunities to practice the skill.

For reading, I use the data to form strategy groups. I look at the standards we’ve already covered in reading, and I make small groups of students who are still struggling with those skills. During my RtII time and reading workshop, I pull the strategy groups to practice those standards. My students who have already mastered those skills are practicing more advanced reading skills.

Download my strategy groups planning sheet at the bottom of this post.

#3 – Remember that you know your students better than any test.

While these assessments give us valuable data, they may not perfectly reflect your students’ abilities. We just started doing the CDT assessment this year. Each student gets a different number of questions until it finds a just right level. Some of my students ended up answering almost 70 questions. They had to read as many as 10 different passages. Needless to say, they were done by the end of it. Some checked out around question number 30.

In addition to that, one of my students was going on vacation that afternoon and another went home with the flu later that day. Neither of them gave their full effort. The numbers don’t reflect their abilities.

You’ve been with your students since the first day of the school year. You know what they can and can’t do. If your students’ scores don’t match what you see on a daily basis, use your best judgement to decide what groups they need.

#4 – Collect additional data on a regular basis.

If your students’ results don’t match with what you expect, you should have other data to prove where they are with the standards. For reading, I give a standards-based assessment every Friday. I use these to form my strategy groups when my CDT data is outdated. We only do CDT’s two times a year, so my students make progress between those two benchmarks. Here are the assessments I use:

1st Grade Reading Literature Assessments

2nd Grade Reading Literature Assessments

3rd Grade Reading Literature Assessments

3rd Grade Reading Informational Texts Assessments

4th Grade Reading Literature Assessments

4th Grade Reading Informational Texts Assessments

5th Grade Reading Literature Assessments

For math, I use the topic tests from enVision to collect data. When we completely cover a standard, I also give a math assessment to see who has mastered the standard and who needs more practice. These are the assessments I use:

3rd Grade Math Standard Assessments

#5 – Share the results with your students.

Once you have analyzed the data, share it with your students. I only do this after we do the assessment the second time. Then, I pull up a report that shows a graph and how much they have improved in each area. I talk to my students about the areas where they made the most growth. We talk about what they did to show that growth.

Then, we look at areas they could improve. We set goals and make a plan for how to achieve those goals. I am still amazed by how much looking at the graphs motivates my students. They are excited to see their growth, and they are determined to meet their goals.

Hopefully, these tips will save you some time next time you’re using data to drive instruction. Find out how to save more time on grading and lesson plans.

You’re Invited!

Looking for ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

Join The Differentiation Conversation Community, a free community for elementary teachers where we share practical differentiation strategies, ready-to-use resources, and encouragement to help you meet the needs of all your learners.

What Do You Think?

What tips do you have for analyzing data?

Let me know in the comments below.

If you enjoyed this post and think your teacher friends will, too, please click the button to share it on your favorite social media platform.

The post How to Use Data to Drive Instruction appeared first on Teach Without Tears.

How to Save Time on Lesson Plans

Your first year teaching and any year you switch grades, you are going to have to put more time into lesson planning. However, after you have that first year of lesson plans done, there are some ways to save time.

#1 – Copy and paste from the previous year.

Yes, as a teacher you want to keep things fresh and try new ideas each year. However, you don’t have to completely reinvent the wheel year after year. If you do your lesson plans electronically, you can just copy and paste from the previous year.

This is especially true if you use the same reading or math program from one year to the next. You have to follow the lessons in order, so just type them once and copy and paste them after that.

The years my school district adopts a new program, it always takes me longer to do my lesson plans. This year, we started Lucy Calkins Units of Study for Reading. I’ve spent more time planning this year, because I have to figure out the essential question and steps for each of the lessons. I’m putting the time in now, but I’ll be able to copy and paste it next year.

#2 – Find out your district’s requirements for lesson plans.

Every school district has different requirements for lesson plans. My school district looks for an objective, an outline of the lesson, and a standard. I created an online document that has each of these items for every lesson. That way, all I have to do is type them in when I’m planning a new lesson. At the end of the week, I just put my lesson plans document into a shared folder in Google Drive, so my principal can look at them.

You can download my lesson plan template at the bottom of this post.

#3 – Collaborate with your teammates.

This tip doesn’t work if you’re the only teacher at your grade level. However, if you have a team at your school, divide up the work of lesson planning. My teammates and I always work together to plan lessons and figure out new programs. By dividing up the work, we save so much time.

Some teams in my school even type on one shared document for all their plans, so only one person has to type the plans for the week. They take turns and submit them for the whole team.

#4 – Use online resources to help you plan.

For subjects where you don’t have a district-wide curriculum, look online for lesson plans and ideas. There are so many free resources available. Readworks.org and Scholastic have great reading lessons. There are also tons of free programs you can have your students use during your lessons. My students love using these reading and math websites. Mystery Science has a lot of great science lessons.

When you can’t find anything for free, head over to Teachers Pay Teachers. You will be able to find just about anything you need there.

#5 – Set aside a day for planning each month.

I’ve found that I save time if I plan for a whole month at one time. I go through one subject at a time and fill in my plans for the month. Then, I move on to the next subject. If there’s a lesson that didn’t go well the previous year or I want to change the way I teach it, I write it down. Then, when I have free time, I search for new ways to teach it. That way, I’m not scrambling to find something at the last minute.

You’re Invited!

Looking for ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

Join The Differentiation Conversation Community, a free community for elementary teachers where we share practical differentiation strategies, ready-to-use resources, and encouragement to help you meet the needs of all your learners.

What Do You Think?

How do you save time on your lesson plans?

Let me know in the comments below.

If you enjoyed this post and think your teacher friends will, too, please click the button to share it on your favorite social media platform.

The post How to Save Time on Lesson Plans appeared first on Teach Without Tears.