5 Must Have Items for Your Classroom

As a teacher, there are a TON of things we need and want, but our budget can only go so far. I spent some time reflecting over all of the items I have bought the past four years. Out of everything I have purchased, I believe I have narrowed it down to 5 must have items for your classroom.

What are the 5 must have items for your classroom?

Note: This post contains affiliate links from Amazon. If you purchase an item through my link I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only suggest items that I have personally used and love. 

1. Dry Erase Pockets

My first year teaching I started with those cheap Target Dollar Spot cardboard dry erase boards. They worked, but they were less than ideal. The next year I got the shower board from Home Depot cut into small pieces to serve as dry erase boards. These were really nice, but super heavy! By my third year, I decided something had to give and I found my solution with Reusable Dry Erase Pockets! These are wonderful! The pockets make it quick and easy to make reusable worksheets without having to laminate (BONUS!). The ones I have erase with ease. Plus, they are light-weight and slim so carrying and storing them is a cinch.

I love having a class set so I can use them whole group, or with multiple different activities in my small groups and centers.

2. Dry Erase Markers

If you’re going to have dry erase pockets, you need to have dry erase markers. I personally like to have a ton of Black Expo Chisel Point Dry Erase Markers for the students to use on the pockets. Colors also have their place in the classroom too. Color Dry Erase Markers are wonderful for “highlighting” a worksheet that is in the dry erase pocket. Every now and then you might want to have some Fine Point Expos for more detailed work.

3. Pencils

Pencils are a no-brainer in school, but the type of a pencil really does make a difference! I can’t tell you how many times I have had to sharpen pencils that broke, or won’t even sharpen without the lead falling out. Not to mention, all of the times students started erasing and the entire eraser broke off. This year I decided to try the famous Ticonderoga Pencils. Oh my goodness! I never would have believed that there could be such a difference in basic pencils, but there truly is. These pencils have not once broken or had the eraser snap off. Pre-sharpened is a game changer. They do dull down quickly, but I’ve yet to find a pencil that doesn’t.

4. Quality Pencil Sharpener

There’s nothing worse than a poor quality pencil sharpener. You know, the ones that shred pencils, or die mid-year. I have had the Bostitch QuietSharp 6 Heavy Duty Classroom Electric Pencil Sharpener for several years now. It sharpens pencils quickly and smoothly. If you’re not a fan of electric pencil sharpeners, my co-worker has this manual one.

Note: I originally posted this in 2018, it is now 2023 and I am STILL using the same exact sharpener!

5. Hand Sanitizer

Most classroom teachers put hand sanitizer on the supply lists for students. However, we all know, there is no such thing as too much hand sanitizer. I personally buy the Germ-X Aloe Hand Sanitizer because it doesn’t have that weird smell (you know what I’m talking about) and it doesn’t dry my hands out. I will use toilet paper to blow my nose if I have to, but I NEED hand sanitizer. When a child coughs, sneezes, or worse, you need to sanitize. As a mom, I would want my child to have clean hands prior to eating lunch. So, I carry a small bottle with me and I give each student a small squeeze as they head into the cafeteria.

Now that we have spent some money in our classrooms on some must have items, how about something FREE? Check out these adorable Halloween Bookmarks!

What are your must have items in the classroom? Let me know in the comments below!