Anyone who know me knows I love school stuff! I would rather buy things for my classroom than shoes! There are a few things that I can't imagine not having... Here they are in no special order.
1. My ipod... this one is much newer and nicer than the one I have. In fact, I washed it and was overjoyed when I found out it still worked.... well sort of worked! But it is arranged by theme and activity and I can find the song quickly and we have a brain break, book on tape, transition, or opening to a lesson in seconds.
2. Mr. Sketch Markers..... who doesn't love these? They are amazing & never dry out! I use them for almost everything!
3. My Teaching Easel. This one is my favorite and I use it for everything... lessons, centers, and I like that it has a hiding spot that I can
hide keep all of my teaching necessities.
4. My Tervis Tumbler.... this is the best cup ever! it keep my coffee hot, my diet coke cold and little to nothing spills out when it is dropped or knocked over! I bring two with me every day... a large one filled with water and a smaller one with coffee.... which leads me to my next favorite thing.
5. Keurig.... which really has nothing to do with teaching but I have one in my classroom and use it everyday! Everyone is happier when I have coffee.
6. Smart Pals.... or what ever brand you see... I didn't realize how much I liked these things until I tried them. They turn a boring handwriting sheet into something fun... the save paper and save my time at the copier! These are much prettier than the ones I have but still the same!
7. Literacy and Math centers from Lakeshore are my favorite purchased items! I use them first as directed, then I add a recording sheet that goes along with it, I then add another sheet where they have to extend their learning and finally I add another page for them to do that goes along with the skills. The only negative is when you lose pieces. They are kind of pricey but I bought mine with a coupon so it wasn't so bad. These were my main centers before teachers pay teachers.
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8. Jack Hartmann Music... this kind of goes along with number one, I know but hey, I don't think I have made it through a day with out Jack in a few years. The kids love all of his tunes and they are learning something new!
9. My laminator.... two years ago my husband bought me one for my birthday.... I have used it weekly... maybe even daily! I love that the sleeves are hard plastic and are so sturdy. I have the one from Sam's... it is large but last year when we evacuated for a hurricane, I brought it with me! I need a life!
10. The stress of that last item..... hmmm, is it my carpet with the squares... nah... what about my Promethean board.... well I can just take that or leave it.... Teachers Pay Teachers comes to mind BUT I was making all of that kind of stuff long before it came along... I think the thing I use most is what I have learned from presenters like Kim Jordano, Kim Adsit or Dr. Jean at the yearly I Teach K conference. Sadly, I will not be attending the I Teach K! Conference this year... Vegas is waaaay to pricey for a yearly trip... plus, it isn't a family place and my little kiddo needs a vacation to the beach. But, I have gone to the ITK! conference plenty of times and learned so much that it has to be the most important thing that has influenced my teaching.
That's it.... stick a fork in me, I'm done... although I am probably going to update this list once I get back into the swing of things!
