1. My computer- the district where I work provides us with laptops to use in our classroom. They are tablet computers so I can download worksheets to my computer and write on them with the "pen" that is attached to my computer. I plug it all up to the projector and voila, my students can interact with my computer and we can use it as if it were an old school projector.
2. Dry erase markers- I know they make better chalk these days, you know, chalk that isnt so gritty and skretchy when you write with it on the chalkboard. However I just love dry erase markers. There is something kinda fun about them. :)
3. Bandaids- If I didnt get asked at least once a day for a bandaid I don't think I would know what to do with myself. Students are always getting these itty bitty cuts they "need" bandaids for. So I just buy the cheapest kind and keep them in stock. This saves on a lot of trips to the office that would be unnecessary and it keep everybody happy.
4. plastic bags- I think any kind of storage is a necessity for teachers. I keep materials in plastic bags for the classroom and as well as give them out to my kiddos when they lose a tooth :) They love having a mini plastic baggie to carry one of their few remaining baby teeth in.5. baskets- any kind of (preferably plastic) basket. Especially the flexible plastic baskets that won't break. I love grabbing items like this up at target in the $1 section. I use baskets for books, markers and crayons, or distributing materials to students. You name your task and a nice basket is there to help you accomplish the task.
6. My clip board. My clipboard is attached to my hip. It comtains my to-do list, info about kiddos I need to remember for the day, my lesson plans, and notes to myself because I can't remember anything on my own. I love clip boards.
7. Post-it notes- come on, am I the only teacher who LOVES Post-it notes? Especially all the cute little cut outs and designs that stores carry now. That makes it so much more fun to use them. I like ot give my kid's little notes of enocuragement on them sometimes.
8. My Brother brand label maker. I just got this last year for Christmas but am so looking forward to labeling everything in myclassrom with this little beauty. As a teacher I think we could all agree we love to have our materials organized.
www.imagesupply.com9. Pretzels- weird maybe but I always keep pretzels in my room. I get so hungry during the day. My lunch is the last one of the day because I have 5th graders. So by 9 or 10 when I haven't eaten breakfast since 6 am I am pretty hungry. Pretzels are such a great, low fat snack to keep around. It is so easy to grab a quick handful and keep going.
10. Finally, I love the notepads that contain templates for notes to go home for students. They have carbon copies so I can keep a copy of everything I send home. It is very covenient for record keeping.
