There are some things that I look at in my classroom and think… how did I live without that my first year!? There are so many things I couldn’t live without in my classroom, but I’ll stick with the basics!
I’m linking this up with Teacher Idea Factory’s Linky Party!
Binder Rings
These are the best things ever! I use them to keep tons of things in order… alphabet cards, sight words (in this fun and easy game), math story problems for my problem of the day… I use these for just about everything! They really help keep things organized!
Magnetic Tape
Best invention ever! I used to have my word wall on a blackboard, so I put magnetic tape on the back of all of the words so I could hang them up easily. My word wall isn’t on a blackboard anymore, but I use magnetic tape to hang things on my easel and my teacher closet. It’s so helpful not to need to search for magnets mid-lesson!
Magnetic Printer Paper
It’s kind of expensive ($2 a sheet), so I use it sparingly, but it’s still amazing!
Cardstock
Speaking of printer paper, I couldn’t live without my cardstock!
Clothespins
I easily have a hundred labeled clothespins in my classroom! I use them for my behavior clip chart, my job chart, my math notebook helper, camera helper, computer rotations, and a few fun games in the classroom. I have clothespins everywhere! They’re really the best!
There are definitely way more things I couldn’t live without in my classroom… like my SmartBoard and computers, but I figured I’d keep it to the simple things that make life easier!
Thank you so much for joining the PAR-TAY, Ms. Jessica! I love that magnetic paper. It is expensive, but it is oh-so worth the price. I print my kids' names on it and that's how I have them sign up for lunch. Great call on this one 🙂 Thanks again!!
Kelley Dolling
Teacher Idea Factory
It really is the best! I even used it to create a pinterest-inspired menu board for my fridge at home. It's the best!
I with you on the cardstock paper!!!
Tammy
1…2…3…Teach With Me
I stock up on it the beginning of each year and always seem to run out somehow!
Totally agree with the binder rings! I use them to label my book bins in my library.
Sara 🙂
Smiling In Second Grade
Oooh that's interesting! How do you do that?
I hadn't thought of using binder rings for Problem of the Day! Thanks for the idea- that ought to help me keep up with it next year! 🙂
Jenny
Luckeyfrog's Lilypad
Binder rings are just amazing for everything organization! They really help keep me on top of my problem of the day! I hope they help you too!
I agree with the clothespins. I use them a lot.
April
Wolfelicious
And to think… you can get a whole bag of them at the dollar store! Isn't it amazing that the things that are the cheapest are sometimes the best?!
Cardstock is a must have in my classroom, especially when I print and laminate all of these cute activities that I get from fellow bloggers! I never thought much about magnet sheets before. That's a good idea though! I can think of a few things to use that for. 🙂
Lisa
Learning Is Something to Treasure
I know! And especially with all the fun colors it comes in! And the magnet sheets are amazing, despite how expensive they are… you just have to use them sparingly!
Oh yeah, I forgot about magnetic tape and cardstock!I couldn't go a day without those two things in my classroom!
🙂 Dana
Fun in 1st Grade
Me neither! I think everything I have ever printed is on cardstock and I have magnetic tape on the back of things that I don't even put on magnetic boards! They're truly the best!
Isn't it amazing when we start to think about our 'needs', that we all pretty much like and use the same items. As long as I've been teaching (20+ years), I still get excited about colored cardstock and now colorful duct tape. I have ordered colored rings in the past, but couldn't find them this year.
I would add the 3M Scotch mounting tabs to my couldn't live without list. Right now I'm in an OLD building and neither masking tape or packaging tape will keep anything on the walls.
❤Pat
A Time to Share & Create
♬ MY WEBSITE
Fabulous 4th Grade
It really is amazing! I love when they come up with new colors for cardstock, but I haven't got onto the duct tape kick yet!
Oh yes I forgot about the 3M tape! Our building last year was like that… nothing would stick! This year we can staple into the wall… thank goodness! I still have stacks of that 3M tape in my desk though!
Funny! Many of you items on your …can't live without list I just picked up while shopping this weekend! Thanks for the tip on finding cardstock the cheapest at Walmart! I buy tons of stuff at Walmart but never thought to price cardstock there! Will do at my next trip!
Great minds think alike! I happened to look for Cardstock there one day because I didn't feel like driving to Office Max and I was so excited at the each price (and color options!!!) that I ended up filling half my cart up with cardstock!
Magnetic Tape is awesome! I think I should just go ahead and buy stock in the company!
Your newest follower,
Stephany
primarypossibilities.blogspot.com
I agree! It's one of the best inventions ever! I was just at your blog yesterday for your adorable classroom organization freebies! Too cute!
This is a really good list of things that you should keep on hand. Very useful stuff!
Thanks! Sometimes it's the simplest stuff that is the most useful!
I also keep binder rings and clothespins in my classroom…endless uses!
Michelle
mcoop1125@gmail.com
They really are the best!
Where do you find the binder rings??? I work in Association Management and we use them in our office for keys.
I always get them on eBay,,, lots of different size options!