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Back-to-School Teacher Survival Kit 🍎☕
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items Let's be honest—the first few weeks of school are a whirlwind! This list is packed with teacher-approved essentials that help me survive back-to-school season, from classroom organization and planning tools to everyday items that keep me fueled, focu...
Sections
5
✏️ Teacher Desk & Organization
📚 Instruction & Learning Tools
📎 Classroom Supplies Staples
🎒 Student Supplies & Shared Items
☕ Teacher Self-Care & Energy Boosters
✏️ Teacher Desk & Organization
From desk organization to calendars, this list has all the items I use on the daily as a special education teacher!
This is part of my holy grail! I use this to separate paperwork from lessons to do throughout the week. This is a great organization tool to have to keep everything from sitting on your desk.
Marbrasse 6 Tier Mesh Paper Organizer Tray
This is where I store my pens, pencils, highlighters, sharpies, and sticky notes. The best organization for all the small loose things on my desk!
Sterilite 3 Drawer Unit, Clear Plastic Countertop or Desktop Storage Drawers, White
Every teacher needs a desk calendar! This is so important to keep track of meetings and important dates throughout the month. The BEST part of this is that is comes with a protective cover for those who tend to spill their coffee all over their desk ...
Ospelelf 2026-2027 Desk Calendar 22x17
I am obsessed with planners and yes I do write important dates and meetings on my desk calendar along with a planner. Sometimes you just need more than one reminder!
Carson Dellosa We Belong Teacher Planner 2026-27
📚 Instruction & Learning Tools
These items are what I use on the daily and are part of the curriculum that is provided to us teachers.
This is an essential in my classroom. My students range from Kindergarten to 4th grade and this includes the sight words with sentences and pictures to help with learning the words.
250 Sight Words Flash Cards for Kindergarten
Now I know these are pricey, but I use these with my students when we have our intensive teaching sessions (VBMAPP). These are essential for the assessment and teaching sessions that are conducted through the VBMAPP program through PATTAN.
Stages Language Builder Picture Noun Flash Cards
I absolutely love these cards!! They are a must have for students who are learning the letters of the alphabet. They even come with words that start with the letters!
THE BAMBINO TREE Alphabet Flash Cards Ages 3-6
These cards are also essential for students who are learning to identify their numbers. I have lost so many number cards over the years and this set stays with me so I can keep track of them and always have a set.
Number Flash Cards for Toddlers 1-100
My students love these flash cards where they can also use the visuals to add and subtract. The fact that you can write on them and they are dry erase makes it so much better!!
60 Cards Math Flash Cards for Grades K-3
Students who have begun the reading comprehension goals use the Story Cues and they love them! They are fun and interactive, so much better than pencil and paper reading comprehension!
SKILLEASE LLC: Sequencing Cards
📎 Classroom Supplies Staples
Let's make teaching a little bit easier! I know some schools have a set amount that teacher's can use to create requisitions. These items can be put in a requisition (if your school approves Amazon as the seller) or bought on your own!
These are my HOLY GRAIL!! I use Post-it sticky pads all day! I label things, write reminders, and use them as bookmarks in my teacher books! You cannot go wrong with a pack of sticky notes!
Post-it Super Sticky Notes, 24 Pads, 3x3, Neon
IF you have a whiteboard in your classroom, these are a need! I write the date, what is going on throughout the day, and what specials and therapies we have that day. They are my favorite brand!
EXPO Dry Erase Markers, Low Odor, 12 Ct
Obviously Sharpies are another thing that go missing in my classroom often, so I usually find myself buying a new pack throughout the school year. These are used for crafts and labeling!
Sharpie Fine Tip Permanent Markers, Black, 12
These pockets are what we use for morning meeting. They are great for when you have a paper or visual that you use everyday. Students can just write, erase, and put away for the next day!
SUNEE 30 Packs Oversized Dry Erase Sleeves 10x14
You already know every teacher needs Wite Out! We use this every day (I mean I know I do) and it is so much better over the liquid because there is no wait time for it to dry!
BIC Wite-Out EZ Correct Tape, 4-Count
A lot of teachers may not use tape, but I do when labeling where desks go and where centers are in the classroom. It can also be used for labeling a section of the classroom for circle time!
DEART Colored Masking Tape 1 inch for Arts & Crafts
Oh no! I stapled the paperwork that is supposed to be paper clipped and sent to the office... Well that is what these are for! These remove staples with ease and without ripping the papers!
4 Pack Magnetic Staple Remover Tools, Multicolor
The day saver of the classroom!! I use these timers a million times a day- to transition to and from the classroom, when centers are finished, when break time is over, and when it is time to pack up and go home. A consistent schedule aligns with thes...
Classroom Timers 2 Pack Magnetic Digital
These are my essential along with the Laminator itself. I create my own busy books and file folder activities. Since my school does not have a communal laminator, I do it all myself and it is a life saver!
Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouches, 200 Ct, Clear, 3 mil, Letter Size
My love, my life! I use a laminator for creating busy books and file folder activities for my students and those are busy activities that they enjoy! Just make sure you get the laminating sheets too!
Scotch PRO TL906 Thermal Laminator, 9 in
My favorite pens... in BLUE!! I cannot live without these pens and I always get them in blue because when signing paperwork, it is required to use blue.
Pilot Precise V5 RT Refillable Rollerball Pens, 0.5mm, Blue, 12 Pack
My favorite pencils as they come with refills and if you love 0.5 pens, you will love the pencils as well!
Paper Mate Clearpoint 0.5mm Mechanical Pencils, 2 Count
These are my organization with all the papers and lessons I put together. From daily and weekly lessons to turning in singed paperwork, these hold and organize it all!
SUNEE Manilla Folders Letter Size 100ct
🎒 Student Supplies & Shared Items
We are always losing glue sticks in my classroom! This is a great option for the teachers who need more than a few glue sticks. I am always buying more throughout the year!
Elmer's All Purpose Glue Sticks, 7g, 60ct
This paper is a must! When we complete centers, my paraprofessional always does a craft with the kids that relates to the lesson we are working on. They absolutely love doing crafts!
Colorations 9x12 Heavyweight Construction Paper, 2200 Sheets, Assorted Colors
Since we do a lot of crafts, paint is used so much throughout the year and my students love painting over coloring!
Colorations Paraben-Free Washable Tempera Paint 8 Pack
Crayons are usually in every classroom, but since you know we craft a lot, these are a great buy for the amount of packs that are included.
Crayola Crayons Bulk 24 Packs, Kids 3+
I love these markers for my students because they are thicker and easier to hold! They are also washable and Crayola is always superior!!
Crayola Broad Line Markers 12pk Assorted
It is important to note that these are the thicker pencils because my students find it easier to grip the thicker pencils!
Ticonderoga Beginner Wood-Cased Pencils, 12ct
These are my favorite type of folders to provide to students from the beginning of the school year. I send home a daily note and being able to label them with a sheet in the front pocket makes them so much easier to distinguish!
INFUN Heavy Duty Plastic Pocket Folder w/ Prongs - 6 Pack, Assorted Colors
☕ Teacher Self-Care & Energy Boosters
Self care for teacher is so important in order to avoid burnout. I use these products to rejuvinate during and after a school day.
This is a great way to unwind after a full day of teaching. I love to color and it is so relaxing to sit and color before bed.
Teacher's Affirmations Coloring Book - Pocket Edition
I love my Nature Valley granola bars for breakfast or an afternoon snack with students. They keep my energy going throughout the day!
Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars, Oats 'n Honey, 12 Count, 8.94 oz (6 Pouches)
I take Quest Protein Chips for lunch with my sandwiches and they are such a great source of protein and the loaded taco flavor actually tastes like a taco!
Quest Tortilla Style Protein Chips with 19g of Protein, Loaded Taco Flavor, 1.1 Oz Bags, 8 Count
My favorite yogurt to have with my sandwich and chips during my lunch!
Light & Fit Cherry Greek Yogurt, 5.3 oz, 4 Pack, High Protein Snack
Love my Donut Shop Walmart brand coffee! I drink a Yeti full every morning!!
Great Value Donut Shop 100% Arabica Medium Roast Ground Coffee Pods, 48 Count
I love my Yeti and I use it every day for my morning coffee!
YETI Rambler 35oz Tumbler w/ Handle & Straw
If I do not have time to make a sandwich in the morning, these are so good for lunch and are very filling!
Marketside Caesar Salad with Chicken, 6.25 oz Bowl (Fresh)
This is my creamer and I don't think I will ever switch!! I use this every morning when making coffee, work or not, and this is the best! I can't get enough of this creamer!
International Delight Sweet & Creamy Coffee Creamer Bottle, Lactose Free and Gluten Free, 64 fl oz