Top 10 Things Every Teacher Needs in the Classroom

Pencils (colored & standard), pens, crayons, markers, notebook paper, tape, index cards, poster board, notebooks, folders, erasers, construction paper, and scissors. You'll probably come up with your own, personal list as well!

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Use plastic tubs or cardboard filing boxes to store holiday projects, art projects, special books, and supplies. Be sure to label these boxes with the name of each project or unit. Or, keep different boxes for different students as an easy organizational tool.

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It's vital to establish rules on the very first day of school. Invite students to contribute a set of expectations about behavior. Try to keep your list to about five general specifications so students can remember the entire list.

Read more on Students' Contributions to the Rules.

Create a substitute teacher folder or binder early in the year. Use it to file class lists, fire drill rules, seating charts, class schedules, and a general plan for the day for substitutes to follow. You might also include the names and numbers of helpful teachers and teacher's aides, plus office procedures and classroom policies.

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Show your students how impressed you are with their work by dedicating a section of the wall or bulletin board to their completed assignments, drawings, and other projects. Make sure that each student's work is displayed often.

Find more Decorating Tips for the Classroom.

Books, newspapers, magazines...these are all vital for the classroom. They may encourage your students to spend their free time reading instead of staring into space. Just remember to write your name in everything you want to hang on to!

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Congratulate your students for outstanding work, achieving perfect attendance, being a good listener, and much more, with awards and certificates.

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Make your life easier by creating a packet of materials that includes everything new students might need to assimilate into your classroom. Prepare lists of rules, procedures, current assignments, and other items you think a student entering mid-year might need.

Include this Newcomer's Welcome Book.

It's important to keep all of your students' grades in one place so that you can easily see when students are doing well, improving, or letting their assignments slip. Try an online grade book for the quickest and easiest way to keep track of grades, while also allowing your students access to their records.

Check out Engrade.com. It's free.

Perspective, a grain of salt, a sense of humor, an open mind, patience, a positive outlook, plans B & C & D, commitment, flexibility, compassion, hope, and creativity.

Find more Helpful Bits of Advice from Veteran Teachers.