| ng the school year and getting the most out of the | | | | 3. Index bio on each child. At the beginning of each |
| time that you have with your students is more easily | | | | year, have each child fill out a simple index card that |
| accomplished when you have the classroom | | | | contains vital information that you may need - such as |
| essentials needed to "get the job done." Let's look at | | | | name, address, phone number, parents names, hobbies, |
| the essentials that every teacher must have in the | | | | and things that the child wants you to know about |
| classroom. | | | | them. While the school office will have much of this |
| Basic Supplies | | | | information on hand, having your own copy can make |
| All teachers should have some basic supplies in the | | | | things easier when you need to contact a parent, etc. |
| classroom for various projects that pop up during the | | | | Substitute Teacher Packets |
| year. And if you've been teaching very long at all, you | | | | Early in the year, create a substitute teacher binder or |
| already know that not all kids will come prepared for | | | | folder of information that a substitute will find useful in |
| class with the right supplies - so having some extras | | | | the event that you need to be absent from school. In |
| on hand is important. Keep a stock of pencils, both | | | | this binder or folder, include class lists, seating charts, |
| standard and colored, as well as pens, markers, | | | | class schedules, fire drill rules, classroom rules, office |
| crayons, notebook paper (loose leaf), index cards, | | | | procedures, and other information that you think would |
| tape, folders, notebooks, erasers, scissors, and | | | | make the substitute teacher's job easier. You can also |
| construction paper. These are just a few of the basic | | | | use this folder to hold lesson plans for the days that |
| supplies you'll need; as time progresses, it's a certainty | | | | you have planned to take off - and include |
| that you'll add to this basic list according to your | | | | worksheets or other material for the class to complete |
| classroom needs. A great time to buy these types of | | | | while you're gone. |
| supplies is the same time that your students purchase | | | | Awards and Certificates |
| their supplies - right before school starts - and then | | | | Praise is a great incentive for students to do well, and |
| again in early October when the back-to-school sales | | | | having some awards and certificates ready to hand |
| are coming to an end and retailers are looking to get | | | | out at a moment's notice can help to keep students |
| rid of carryover inventory. | | | | motivated. You can print awards and certificates online |
| Filing Cabinets and Boxes | | | | or purchase preprinted versions at many teacher |
| Even in the most spacious classroom, art projects, | | | | supply stores. You should also have some reward |
| holiday projects, books and other supplies can really | | | | stickers to place on papers that are graded. |
| stack up fast. Filing cabinets, boxes, and plastic storage | | | | Classroom Library |
| bins, tubs, or totes will come in handy. Be sure to label | | | | Build a library for your classroom filled with age |
| each storage box with the name of the project or the | | | | appropriate books, magazines and newspapers. A |
| name of the unit that the contents relate to. You might | | | | classroom library encourages your students to spend |
| also consider keeping a box for each student for | | | | their spare time reading. Be sure to write your name |
| projects that are completed throughout the year. | | | | on all of your classroom library materials to avoid any |
| Printable Information | | | | confusion with the school library, or purchase some |
| There are various types of printable information that | | | | preprinted labels to get the job done faster. A great |
| you'll want to keep on file for your classroom, including: | | | | way to build your classroom library faster is to send |
| 1. Classroom rules. Establishing order on the first day of | | | | home book orders with your students. Most |
| school is important. Keep your list of classroom rules to | | | | companies that participate in book orders, like |
| less than five general rules so that students can easily | | | | Scholastic, for example, will give your classroom a |
| remember them. | | | | certain number of free books with every order. |
| 2. Introductory packet for new students. Inevitably, you | | | | Most Important "Essentials" |
| will receive new students into your classroom after the | | | | And last of all, but certainly not least, you'll need the |
| school year is underway. Having an introductory | | | | most important essentials of all for your classroom - in |
| packet of information for new students can make the | | | | abundance if possible, including: perspective, a sense of |
| transition easier. Include things like your classroom rules, | | | | humor, patience, Plans B, C, D and E, an open mind, a |
| procedures, and the school handbook - and then add a | | | | positive outlook, compassion, love, hope, creativity, |
| classroom calendar and list of current assignments | | | | flexibility, and a heaping helping of "elbow grease". |
| before giving the packet to the new student. | | | | |