Every year, sometime around July or August, the school supply lists start appearing.
Pencils.
Crayons.
Folders.
Glue sticks.
Notebooks.
Tissues.
Hand sanitizer.
We check things off the list, toss everything into the cart, and feel pretty good knowing our kids are ready for the first day of school.
But there is another supply list that most parents never see.
It’s the list of things teachers often buy themselves.
The things that make their classrooms organized. The things that help keep 20, 25, or even 30+ kids on task. The things that make lessons run more smoothly. The things that turn an empty classroom into a space where kids can actually learn.
And honestly? That list can get LONG.
Teachers aren’t just teaching. They’re organizing, planning, decorating, managing behavior, creating activities, finding ways to make learning engaging, and somehow keeping track of approximately 900 pencils that disappear every week.
And a lot of the supplies that make all of that possible come directly out of their own pockets.
The Standard School Supply List Is Just the Beginning
The traditional school supply list usually focuses on what each student needs.
But imagine being handed an empty classroom and being told:
“Okay, now make this functional.”
Suddenly, you need somewhere to organize papers.
You need a way to display student work.
You need things to keep supplies organized.
You need dry erase boards.
You need timers.
You need labels.
You need storage.
You need things for students who finish early.
You need classroom management tools.
You need things for sensory breaks.
You need things for rainy days.
You need things for the random activity you decided to try because the original lesson plan just wasn’t working.
And let’s not forget the laminator.
Because apparently, teachers are expected to laminate approximately everything.
How Can Parents Help?
I’m not suggesting that parents should be responsible for supplying an entire classroom. Teachers deserve better funding and shouldn’t have to rely on families to purchase basic necessities.
But if you’re already looking for a way to support your child’s teacher, buying one or two useful classroom items can make a surprisingly big difference.
Instead of buying another pack of pencils just because it’s on the list, consider asking the teacher:
“Is there anything you need for your classroom that isn’t on the school supply list?”
You may be surprised by the answer. Also, ask again around halfway through the year. Things break, things get worn down and supplies deminish.
Here are some of the things that can be incredibly useful in a classroom.
Organization Supplies
Teachers spend a LOT of time moving papers, supplies, assignments, and materials around.
A few simple organizational tools can make their day much easier.
Rolling Teacher Cart
A rolling teacher cart can be incredibly useful for moving supplies, books, papers, and classroom materials from one area to another.
It’s especially handy for teachers who don’t have everything they need within arm’s reach.
Teacher Planner
Teachers have lesson plans, meetings, parent communication, grading, events, appointments, and approximately a million other things to remember.
A good teacher planner can help keep everything in one place.
Most teachers have different organization ideas so sometimes this one is a just buy a giftcard towards it, or ask which kind they would like.
Desk & Drawer Organizers
Small organizers can make a huge difference when a teacher is trying to keep a desk from becoming a paper avalanche.
Desk organizers, drawer organizers, pencil cups, and file organizers are all practical gifts that teachers can use every single day.
Label Maker & Label Tape
If you’ve ever walked into a beautifully organized classroom and thought, “How does this person keep everything organized?”—there is a good chance labels are involved.
A label maker can help teachers organize bins, drawers, shelves, student supplies, folders, and pretty much everything else.
The Dry-Erase Essentials
Dry erase boards are one of those things teachers use constantly.
And somehow, dry erase markers have the same mysterious ability as socks in a dryer.
They disappear.
A few classroom-friendly dry erase supplies can go a long way.
Dry Erase Markers
Teachers can go through these incredibly quickly, especially when students are using individual boards during lessons.
Magnetic Dry Erase Pockets
These are great for reusable worksheets, activities, schedules, and practice work.
Instead of printing a new worksheet every time, teachers can slip a page into the pocket and use it again.
Our Favorite Dry Erase Pockets: Click Here
Mini Dry Erase Boards
Individual dry erase boards are perfect for quick practice, answering questions, math problems, spelling activities, and classroom games.
They’re one of those supplies that can be used in dozens of different ways and are great at keeping kids involved.
Classroom Timers
You know when you are on a roadtrip and your kid asks “How much longer?” Imagaine a whole classroom of kids asking that.
A classroom timer can help students understand how much time they have to complete an activity and help maintain a teachers sanity.
Visual Timer
A visual timer can be especially helpful because students can actually see the remaining time rather than constantly asking the teacher.
The Things That Make Classroom Management Easier
Teaching isn’t just about presenting a lesson.
Teachers are also managing an entire room full of different personalities, learning styles, attention spans, and needs.
Small classroom-management tools can make a BIG difference.
Sticky Notes & Page Flags
Sticky notes come in handy for everything from lesson planning to grading to leaving reminders for students.
And page flags are fantastic for marking books, lesson plans, paperwork, and important pages.
Magnetic Clips & Binder Clips
These are inexpensive but incredibly useful.
Teachers can use them for papers, student work, classroom displays, schedules, and keeping materials together.
Click Here for our amazon favorites.
Clipboard With Storage
A clipboard with built-in storage gives teachers a place to keep forms, pens, notes, or other small supplies while they’re moving around the classroom.
Turn-In Baskets
A simple “Turn In” basket can help keep assignments from becoming a pile on the teacher’s desk.
And anything that helps prevent the dreaded:
“But I turned it in!”
Classroom Storage
If there’s one thing classrooms never seem to have enough of, it’s storage.
Plastic bins, hanging folders, caddies, and file organizers can help teachers keep everything accessible without turning the classroom into organized chaos.
Consider helping your child’s teacher stock up on:
- Plastic storage bins
- Hanging file folders
- Classroom supply caddies
- File organizers
- Cord organizers
- Pencil cup organizers
- Drawer organizers
- Headphone Organizers
A few storage containers may not seem exciting, but ask a teacher how they feel about a perfectly sized storage bin and you’ll probably get a surprisingly enthusiastic response.
The Supplies Nobody Thinks About
Some of the most useful classroom supplies aren’t necessarily the ones that appear on the school list.
Laminator & Laminating Pouches
Teachers laminate everything from classroom signs and visual aids to reusable activities and learning tools.
A laminator can become one of those classroom tools that gets used constantly.
Paper Cutter
A good paper cutter can save teachers countless hours when they’re preparing classroom materials.
Heavy-Duty Stapler & Staple Remover
Because teachers apparently need to staple approximately 4,000 things a year.
A heavy-duty stapler and a good staple remover are simple but incredibly useful additions to a classroom.
Electric Pencil Sharpener
If you’ve ever heard a classroom pencil sharpener running, you already know this one is a necessity.
A reliable electric sharpener can be a teacher’s best friend.
Technology & Charging Supplies
Today’s classrooms often rely heavily on technology.
That means teachers may need accessories that aren’t included with the standard school supply list.
Charging Station & USB Cables
Between tablets, classroom devices, headphones, and other electronics, keeping everything charged can become a full-time job.
A classroom charging station and extra USB cables can help keep devices ready to go.
Cord Organizers
Because nothing says “organized classroom” like 14 charging cables that aren’t tangled together.
Cord organizers are a small addition that can make a surprisingly big difference.
Wireless Presenter/Clicker
A wireless presenter can allow teachers to move around the classroom while presenting instead of being stuck next to the computer.
Just make sure if you get a teacher this, that it is compatible with their equipment.
Making the Classroom More Comfortable
Learning doesn’t always happen while sitting perfectly still in a traditional chair.
Teachers often find creative ways to make their classrooms more comfortable and accessible for different learners.
Noise-Reducing & Classroom Headphones
Headphones can be useful for independent work, educational videos, computer activities, and helping students who need a quieter environment.
Flexible Seating Cushions
A simple seating cushion can give students another option besides sitting in a traditional chair.
Lap Desks
Lap desks can be useful for students working around the classroom, during flexible seating activities, or simply when a traditional desk isn’t the best fit.
Classroom Rugs
A classroom rug can create a dedicated space for reading, group activities, morning meetings, or classroom discussions.
Classroom Decor & Learning Tools
Classroom decor isn’t just about making the room cute.
A lot of classroom displays serve an actual purpose.
Door & Desk Signs
Personalized or reusable signs can help identify classroom areas, student spaces, and important information.
Name Tags
Name tags can be useful at the beginning of the year, especially when teachers are learning dozens of new names.
Classroom Calendar
Calendars can help students understand dates, routines, upcoming events, and the passage of time.
Pocket Charts & Magnetic Sentence Strips
These can be used for everything from literacy activities and classroom schedules to word walls and interactive lessons.
Book Stands & Book Displays
A good book display can make reading materials more visible and inviting to students.
Sometimes putting a book where kids can actually SEE it is half the battle.
Rewards & Positive Classroom Management
Teachers spend a lot of time encouraging positive behavior and celebrating student accomplishments.
That can mean going through quite a few little rewards throughout the year.
Reward & Motivational Stickers
Stickers may seem small, but kids LOVE them.
A simple “Great job!” sticker can turn into a pretty big deal for a young student.
Classroom Stamps & Stamp Pads
Stamps can be another fun way for teachers to recognize student accomplishments.
Prize Box & Treasure Box Fillers
If your child’s teacher has a prize box, consider helping keep it stocked.
Small items such as pencils, erasers, stickers, fidgets, and other inexpensive treasures can give teachers plenty of options.
Sensory & Quiet Classroom Supplies
Every classroom has students who may need a quiet activity, a sensory break, or something to help them focus.
Teachers often purchase these kinds of supplies themselves.
Fidget Tools
Fidgets can provide students with something quiet to manipulate while they listen, work, or transition between activities.
Sensory Classroom Tools
Sensory tools can give teachers additional options for supporting different classroom needs.
Quiet Classroom Activities
Having a collection of quiet activities can be especially helpful for early finishers, rainy days, indoor recess, or those unexpected moments when the schedule changes.
And Then There’s the Teacher Snack Drawer…
Let’s be honest.
Teachers are human.
They forget to eat. They stay late. They arrive early. They survive on coffee. And sometimes lunch is approximately three bites of something eaten while answering a question.
A small stash of teacher-only snacks, coffee supplies, or drink mixes can be a thoughtful little gift.
This is one of those gifts that doesn’t necessarily benefit the classroom—but it benefits the person who spends all day taking care of our kids.
And I think that’s worth remembering.
You Don’t Have to Buy Everything
This list is LONG.
And please don’t read this and feel like you’re suddenly responsible for buying your child’s teacher a classroom’s worth of supplies.
You’re not.
Teachers shouldn’t have to depend on parents to make their classrooms functional. Schools and districts should provide the resources educators need to do their jobs.
But if you’re looking for a way to show appreciation, even one small item can help.
Maybe you grab an extra pack of dry erase markers.
Maybe you buy a box of sticky notes.
Maybe you purchase a few storage bins.
Maybe you donate a pack of laminating pouches.
Maybe you fill the prize box.
Or maybe you simply ask:
“What is something you wish you had in your classroom?”
That question alone can mean a lot.
Let’s Help Our Teachers Feel Supported
Teachers spend their days investing in our children.
They teach them to read.
They help them solve problems.
They encourage them when they’re struggling.
They celebrate their successes.
They listen to their stories.
They help them learn how to work with others.
They clean up messes.
They answer approximately 7,000 questions a day.
And somewhere along the way, many of them are also spending their own money trying to make their classrooms better.
We can’t fix the entire education system with a shopping cart.
But we can show our appreciation in small ways.
So this school year, when you’re shopping for those standard school supplies, consider adding one extra item for the classroom.
Because sometimes something as simple as a pack of dry erase markers, a box of sticky notes, or a few storage bins can tell a teacher:
“We see how much you do, and we appreciate you.”
And honestly, our teachers deserve to hear that a whole lot more often.
To shop all of our favorite amazon teachers items: click here
Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you choose to purchase something through one of my links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support my blog and allow me to continue creating helpful content, sharing ideas, and finding products that I genuinely think are useful.
I never want you to feel like you need to buy something just because I linked it. My hope is simply to make it a little easier to find thoughtful, useful ways to support the amazing teachers who give so much of themselves to our children.
Thank you for supporting my little corner of the internet—and, even more importantly, for supporting our teachers. Every click, purchase, and kind gesture means more than you know.
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