Well, the back-to-school countdown has officially started. Where did the summer go?! I am not ready to trade in my slow morning coffee time for the rush of the school day.
I haven't bought anything for the upcoming school year yet, and I debated about whether I should even bother with a classroom wish list this year. Our school is currently in the middle of extensive renovations and remodeling as our middle and high schools prepare to merge, and for the upcoming school year I will be in a temporary classroom with no bulletin board, walls that I can't hang anything on, and no bookcase/cubby storage.
As a result of these changes, my classroom wish list is much smaller than normal this year and really only contains practical items, i.e. no posters or bulletin board border, etc. Many of the items I added are to update some of my current routines and procedures, to restock on typical classroom supplies, and a few things that would make my job just a bit easier.
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Clever Fox Teacher Planner -- This is something that I always buy for myself, so you won't see it on my actual wish list, but I wanted include it in this post because it's just such a good planner that I think all teachers need to know about it! I've been using this exact planner for a few years now, and I don't think I'll ever go back.
3-Prong Pocket Folders -- These will take the place of the hanging folders that I've used for the last four years. I'm still using my writing folder system, but I'm tweaking it with the hopes of making it a little more durable and practical. I need enough for every student, so probably 6 packs, and I think I would like for them to be plastic.
Hanging Pencil Holder -- Last year I tried a pencil parking lot that I had a decent amount of success with. What I didn't like about it the most was that it took up a chunk of my dry erase board all. year. long. Also, I only supplied it with five pencils, so sometimes the parking lot was empty by my second class because (and I can't say this with enough emphasis) middle schoolers do not return pencils. I feel like this hanging version will be a bit more durable (I had to replace my stick-on pencil holders a few times), and I hope that it will not be emptied out quite as quickly. This one can be magnetically attached to the dry erase board or hung via hooks.
Pencils -- I feel like this one is just common sense. I can't have a pencil check-out system without pencils.
Pencil Top Erasers -- These have been the most-asked-for items from students the last three years. You'd think they were candy.
Student Work Displays -- I mentioned in the intro that I can't hang stuff on my walls this year and that I won't have a bulletin board, but displaying my student's work is a huge part of my classroom culture, so I've got to find a solution that works within the parameters I've been given. I don't have a solid plan for this yet, but I've been looking at these pocket charts as well as individual pocket sleeves.
Magnetic Hooks -- Since I can't hang anything on the walls this next year, I need a way to suspend things from the ceiling. I should be able to attach these to the metal ceiling grid and then attach whatever I need to them. I might even use them to string fairy lights. I've also been looking at these magnetic clips, but I'm not sure yet if they would be useful.
Easel -- I've been toying with this idea for awhile. My dry erase board has always had hooks for my easel pad, but it's frustrating to lose the board space, especially when it's something I need to leave displayed. This one is a whiteboard with clips to hold one of those large pads. I also like the idea of being able to move it to anywhere in the classroom, which will make small group a bit easier.
Easel Pad -- I just need to restock on these. I've finally used up the ones that I bought in my first year.
Magnetic Notebook Paper -- I borrowed one of these from another teacher last year so that I could model something for my students, and now I need one for myself.
Expo Markers -- My supply is running a little low, and honestly after where they've been stored all summer, they might be dried out.
Paper Cutter -- Not all of my handouts and notebook inserts are full pages; sometimes I only need halves, which is aggravating when I'm having to hand-cut them all. This paper cutter would be really useful in that regard, and especially for my bookmark project.
Scissors -- Speaking of cutting...all of my scissors disappeared last year, so I need to replace them. A class set would be nice. My students will be cutting out something at least once a week.
Colored Pencils -- I bought this big box of colored pencils at the beginning of last school year, and they lasted most of the year.
Highlighters -- We use highlighters a lot in my class, so I can never have too many.
Hall Passes -- I have yet to find hall passes that can withstand middle schoolers for an entire year. These are magnetic, which I think will be handy since I'll be able to just stick them to my door frame. I have no idea if they're going to last all year, though.
Bookcase -- I mentioned in the post intro that I will no longer have a bookcase/cubbies. They were built into each classroom, and I definitely used mine, so I need something to take their place. I do have a small rolling library cart that holds most of my class library, but I need somewhere for my class set of textbooks, dictionaries, etc., as well as somewhere for students to keep their notebooks.
Magnetic File Folder -- When I moved into my last classroom, which is where I'll eventually end back up, there was a plastic file folder on the wall near the door. I wasn't thrilled by it at first, but turns out it was perfect for the emergency stuff we're required to keep in an easy-to-access place. This one can be mounted on the wall or stuck on the white board via magnet, which is what I'll do next year.
Teacher Pointer Stick -- This is more of a fun one, but I do think I would use these telescoping finger pointers.
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