The school year you teach will determine the range of stationery you need. Still, there are some basics that every teacher needs plenty of to avoid leaving the classroom in search of more supplies! Depending on the age group or subject matter, there may be some specific items you will need to add to this list. There’s no need for paintbrushes in maths, just as there isn’t a need for a protractor in a French lesson! No matter what or who you teach, one thing remains the same. You must have plenty of everything. Here is a list of the teacher stationery must-haves to keep your lessons running smoothly.

 

Black Ballpoint Pens

There is no point in having all that paper if you have nothing to write with. Pens for general writing are an essential piece of stationery in the classroom. You and your students will need plenty, and while they may be encouraged to bring their own, it would be silly not to have plenty more stashed away for those forgetful moments. You may want to also keep a few pens in various colours for marking classwork.

 

Plenty of Pencils

Pencils are necessary for drawing, writing notes, or solving maths problems. They allow you to make errors that can easily be erased from the page. This is essential if you are teaching early years. Having a range of colouring pencils to hand is also an excellent idea for creating artwork.

 

Weekly Planner

Organisation is the key to success as a teacher. If you find yourself in a muddle or double booking, a weekly planner could be just the thing to turn your life around. Planners can help you stay on top of work, track what topics you’re covering, and note those important school trips.

 

Academic Diary

Just as a weekly diary can be of great help, academic diaries have many benefits too. They help you stay on top of key academic dates in the year, such as school and bank holidays. They can be a helpful overview of the whole year so you can stay on track with your schedule.

 

Stapler & Staples

Loose sheets of paper can lead to chaos in the classroom. Staplers help keep handouts and working papers together in one place. Making sure you have a stapler and never run out of staples is the secret to organisation success.

 

Ring Binders

A good filing system is necessary for staying organised and minimising mess in the classroom. Putting worksheets, lesson plans, and other resources in designated folders helps you stay on top of what you’ve got. You can even purchase customisable ring binder folders with your school emblem, class number, and teacher name, so they are recognisable.

 

Calculator

A calculator is a must whether you’re teaching or marking maths books. Even if you are confident in your maths ability, there is nothing more embarrassing than giving a student the wrong answer.

 

Erasers

Everyone makes mistakes. Both students and teachers will make errors in their writing, so having an eraser to hand will help you wipe those mistakes away. Having both a rubber eraser and a whiteboard dry wipe is recommended.

 

Stickers

Students deserve to know when they’ve done well at something. Whether it’s a piece of homework, presentation, or good behaviour, reward stickers can be a great way to show that you recognise their achievements.

 

Scissors & Glue Sticks

Cutting and sticking make their way into lessons surprisingly often. Your supply cupboard should be full of all the necessary tools for the job. A good few pairs of right and left-handed safety scissors are a must. There also has to be something to stick everything together. Glue sticks are an effective, non-messy alternative for PVA glue and a great option for the classroom.

 

Sticky Notes

Jotting down those all-important thoughts when they pop into your head is the only way to remember them. As a teacher, the busy schedule doesn’t leave much room for remembering things, so writing stuff down is the key to combatting this. Let’s face it, the back of your hand is never the best place to write things down!

 

White Board Pens

A whiteboard is often the most used resource in any classroom. It allows a teacher to demonstrate things clearly so every student can see them. A good supply of whiteboard markers in a few different colours will give you plenty of backups when the ink runs dry. Ensure you buy dry wipe markers and not permanent markers by accident!

 

Blu Tack

Sticking up notices, announcements, and even classroom rules is a job for Blu Tack. Every teacher needs at least one pack of Blu Tack in their desk drawer to quickly and easily be able to stick pieces of paper. It’s another easy-to-use, mess-free adhesive that every teacher can benefit from having.

 

Sticky Tape & Dispenser

This is an essential piece of stationery almost anywhere, but even more so in the classroom. It can be used for artwork, wall displays, or even to repair torn exercise books. Teachers don’t have time to find the end of a roll of sticky tape, so keeping it on your desk in a dispenser means you can quickly and easily grab a strip of tape when needed.

 

A teacher’s secret to success can be found in their stationary cupboard. Staying stocked up and ready for whatever the day brings will help to minimise some of the stress that comes with the job. Not only this, but it will help maintain the essential organisation and preparation it takes to handle even the most hectic school days. You can find a range of personalisable stationery and print supplies here at Screentec to help you organise your work and create unique resources.