As you head back to school one thing you'll need to make is your school supply list for parents. Kindergarten and 1st grade students use lots of basic supplies over the year. Most schools will provide some things like paper, paint, and office necessities but that's about it.
Teachers generally send home a materials list to students before school starts so parents can help with the cost of supplies. Here's a list of items to consider when creating your own classroom supply list.
1. Plastic Supply Box
Students will need a supply box to hold their crayons, pencils, scissors, and glue stick. I've found that a simple plastic supply box like this works the best. It's big enough to hold their supplies and doesn't take up a lot of space inside a desk or tabletop.
2. Crayola Crayons
Kindergarten and first grade students use crayons every day in class. They'll go through many crayons over the course of the year so it's a good idea to ask for at least 4 boxes of the 24 ct. Crayola crayons so that you can give students a new box every nine weeks. You'll want to request the Crayola brand of crayons. Other brands are waxy and break easily.
3. Elmers Glue Sticks
Another important item on your school supply list is Elmer's glue sticks. 3 large Elmer's glue sticks should last your students all year. Students will use these daily for cut & paste worksheets and art projects.
4. Crayola Washable Markers
Over the course of the year, you'll have occasion for your students to use markers in different classroom projects. A box of 8 Crayola washable markers is best because they wash off hands and out of clothing easily.
5. Fiskars Scissors
Kindergarten and first grade students will use scissors almost daily. I preferred the pointed tip Fiskar scissors. Kids have to cut lots of small pieces of paper and the pointed tip just works better.
6. Crayola Watercolor Paint Set
Another item to add to your school supply list is a tray of Crayola watercolor paints. We used these to paint our directed drawing lessons, art activities, and during center time.
7. Ticonderoga Pencils
Do yourself a favor and ask for a package of pre-sharpened Ticonderoga pencils. It will make your life so much easier if they are already sharpened and Ticonderoga is one of the only brands that won't destroy your pencil sharpener.
8. Tissues
A classroom full of kids equals lots of colds and runny noses. Have each student bring in one box of tissues. Keep at least 2 boxes of tissues out in your classroom at all times for those unexpected sneezes.
9. Backpack
Every child should have a backpack to carry his/her things back and forth to school. Be sure parents write their child's name inside because you're guaranteed to get more than one Batman or Frozen backpack in your class! I preferred backpacks without wheels because they often didn't fit in the cubby area.
10. Expo Dry Erase Markers
Every student will need at least 2-3 black Expo dry erase markers to use on individual dry erase boards. Ask for a package of Expo markers so that you can have kids use them at different centers in your classroom too. As always, asking for a quality brand like Expo is your best bet. Other brands will stain your dry erase boards and are difficult to remove.
11. Composition Notebook
Many teachers use a composition notebook for a daily journal, interactive notebook, poetry notebook, or spelling word practice.
12. Two Pocket Plastic Folders
Students will need at least 1-2 two-pocket plastic folders for their daily work and possibly homework. I preferred plastic folders without prongs because they lasted all year and fit in my classroom mailboxes.
13. Clorox Cleaning Wipes
A classroom full of kids equals lots of germs! You'll use wipes every day to clean surfaces, desks, and more. I had each child bring in a container of Clorox cleaning wipes.
14. Headphones
Your class will probably be using computers or tablets every day in kindergarten and first grade. Students should have their own set of headphones for this purpose.
15. Pencil Sharpener
Your classroom may come equipped with a crank pencil sharpener on the wall. If you've ever tried to sharpen a handful of pencils with one of those you know they're killers on your fingers. Sharpening pencils for kids not only hurts your hands but let's face it, their pencils are gross. They put them in their mouth, chew on them, and touch them with sticky fingers.
Have each child bring in their own individual pencil sharpener to keep in their pencil box and you'll never have to sharpen a pencil again! Head over here to see how this works in my classroom.
Grab this free editable template to help you get started making your own list.
16. Crayola Colored Pencils
Add a box of Crayola colored pencils to your school supply list. Students enjoy using them as a change of pace once in a while from crayons. They're also great to use when kids are coloring small pictures.
17. Paper Towels
Nothing is worse than trying to clean up a spill with school-issued brown paper towels. They don't absorb anything and basically, just make a bigger mess. Have each student bring in a roll of paper towels to use when messes arise.
18. Hand Sanitizer
Kids hands get dirty and germy. Have each child bring in a small container of hand sanitizer for those times you can't wash hands.
19. Ziplock Bags
Ziplock bags can be used for a multitude of things in your classroom – learning center materials, storing art projects, sending home wet or soiled clothing, and lost teeth. The list is endless. I had my girls bring in a box of quart size Ziplock bags and the boys brought in a box of gallon size Ziplock bags.
20. Sleeve Protectors
Another item you might want to add to your school supply list is plastic sleeve protectors. You can use these for learning center materials, poetry notebooks, games, and more.
21. Spiral Notebook
Many teachers use spiral notebooks for journals, poetry notebooks, or handwriting practice.
22. Clipboard
Students will use clipboards when sitting on the floor working, if you take your class outside for a lesson, and small group work.
23. Astrobright Paper
Most teachers don't have access to a color printer at school. Sometimes you may want to send a paper home that's colorful like your weekly newsletter or a special announcement. It's nice to have Astrobright paper to draw attention to these types of papers in your student's daily folder.
24. Paper Plates
You can use paper plates for snack time, painting pallets, glue, craft projects, and more.
25. Elmer's Glue
Have each child bring in one small container of Elmer's glue. Occasionally you'll do craft projects where you'll need stronger glue than a glue stick and Elmer's will do the trick.
26. Binder
Some teachers request a binder for a take-home folder. Binders can also be used for poetry notebooks, game binders, and more.
27. Lunch Box
Every student will need a lunch box if they'll be bringing a lunch from home. Paper bags can serve the same purpose but they often rip and tear.
28. Pink Erasers
Students will need a pink eraser to keep in their supply box. The erasers on the end of a pencil will be gone long before the pencil, so stocking up on pink erasers is the smart move.
29. Index Cards
White or colored index cards are perfect for making flashcards and individual sight word rings.
30. Copy Paper
Most schools supply copy paper to their teachers but if your school doesn't add it to your supply list. You'll make hundreds and hundreds of copies as a kindergarten or first grade teacher.
Ready to put together your school supply list for parents? Grab this free editable template to help you get started.
The Ultimate Kindergarten And First Grade School Supply List
Take a minute to save these tips to your favorite back-to-school Pinterest board so you can remember them later!
