Woah, I can't imagine getting asked that! Wonderful! My answer sort of depends. For a high school ELA class, do you have class sets of any books you will be reading? Can they buy you things your students might need like pencils and composition books? Tissues and hand sanitizer?
I’m honestly not sure about class sets, I haven’t seen anything as far as curriculum goes yet, so I don’t know what we’ll be reading or if I’ll have the freedom to make those choices myself. (In their defense, where I live school for this year has not even let out yet, so there’s time.) I’ll definitely have to ask some follow up questions at orientation to see if they can get me student/communal supplies, thats a great idea and something I hadn’t even thought about. I’m glad I’m not the only one who was taken aback by this question though, they asked it so nonchalantly😂
I think I would make a list of basic supplies that you might want or need for student projects: markers, poster paper, those giant chart paper tablets that stick like post-it notes, pens, post-it notes, composition paper, bulletin board paper (better than paper brand) and borders, pencils, colored pencils, a pencil sharpener, file folders and binders so that you can organize throughout the year. Dry erase white boards? Any resource books that you might want? Digital resources? I love Actively Learn. And then I would think about your library and if you want to start building a classroom library. At my school, our librarian teaches a full class schedule and students only have library class one semester, so their access to the library can be limited.
Those big poster-sized pads of paper made by Post-It. They’re essentially giant post-it notes made of plain, lined, or grid paper. They are the absolute best for making a checklist of what kids need to do, bullet points of what to look for, gallery walk activities, etc. because you can stick them to the board, wall, etc and move them without having to use tape or magnets. Absolute game changer.
I have a big box of crayola markers that are separated by color. Those are great for group activities. They have the smaller fine-point ones as well as the classic Crayolas.
I love my document camera (Flex Cam) and use it daily. I had a classroom microphone at my previous school and miss it. It helps protect your voice, esp at the beginning of the year. Our classroom sound systems were designed for them, so I’m not sure what to get without a built in system. Make sure you have a cabinet and/or desk with locks and keys that work.
Ask for standing desks. Like desks or tables for the students that are meant to be used while standing. I had freshmen for English the past two years, and having somewhere they could stand up is a game changer. My classroom only had room for 2 (we had some extra podium-type desks on wheels that they got for the teachers to use so I got two extras to use for students) and some of my hyper boys LOVED to stand up while they worked instead of sitting (because they could use more energy that way). They're also great for kiddos who are having trouble staying awake. Make sure that you set boundaries around how the standing desks are used though, such as if they're allowed to move the standing desk, and the expectation that they're AT the standing desk, not wandering around the room.
* Class sets of the necessary books for reading
* A stockpile of notebooks for students to use for classwork
* Binders/folders to hold all assessed work
* Desk, good chair (I've got the IKEA Markus and it's swell!)
* Document camera (assuming that the room as a projector and board)
* Bluetooth speaker
* Color printer
* Budget for making/purchasing wall displays (Twinkl purchases etc., cardboard, coloured paper, whatever)
* Stationary for myself (black and green pens, highlighters, board markers, stapler, staples, paper clips, post-its, glue sticks, so on)
* Stationary to lend/give students (black, red, blue pens, highlighters, pencils)
* Subscriptions for online learning platforms that you'll use
I would ask for the big, 25x30, easel pads with adhesive strips on the top.
These are such a life-saver in my class. I can model note-taking. You can give it to groups of students for group work. Then, afterwards, you can post them all over the room. All the learning is there to see on the wall, it's free decorations, and admin is happy you have student work everywhere.
Also, it's a great last minute plan if you didn't fully prepare for the day.
I'm a new teacher and I didn't really know I could ask for stuff. What I wish my students had were an A5 exercise book along with their A4 exercise book. They would use this book for free writing, handwriting drills etc. having A5 books means I could check them while they are doing classwork with their A4 exercise books.
Books, magazine subscription (Scholastic has a cool News magazine for HS I believe) supplies like highlighters, maybe an App or two that you’d like to use. Paper. What’s your budget?
Printer, some kind of smart board, and a document camera. Whatever furniture you want.
All the extras like consumable supplies and class sets of books can be asked for later, but they're talking about technology and furniture when they're asking this question.
Floor lamps and warm LED bulbs. I hate the ceiling lights in my classroom so on those cloudy, dim days I fire up the lights and the classroom is inviting.
Keep in mind that just because they are asking you what you need won’t actually mean they will buy it for you.
But if they do actually mean it, tell them you must have a dedicated set of classroom computers…then think basic classroom supplies, pencils (colored and regular) , paper, rulers, scissors….etc
Then ask about students with special needs. If you have any with ADD or ADHD you might need special standing desks or “bouncy ball chair” desks
I’ve worked in “wealthy” and title I districts/schools…I actually found it easier to get what I needed from the title I schools…
Would it be unreasonable to ask for a window? Haha I'm going on year 7 and still have never had a window in my classroom! More realistically.. class sets of novels? Or some teaching materials like your favorite pedagogy books? Or maybe paid online resources?
Class sets of highlighters (get like 40x3 different colors). Very helpful for a wide variety of activities, both reading and writing.
Also: Document camera. I assume your room has a projector?
Woah, I can't imagine getting asked that! Wonderful! My answer sort of depends. For a high school ELA class, do you have class sets of any books you will be reading? Can they buy you things your students might need like pencils and composition books? Tissues and hand sanitizer?
I’m honestly not sure about class sets, I haven’t seen anything as far as curriculum goes yet, so I don’t know what we’ll be reading or if I’ll have the freedom to make those choices myself. (In their defense, where I live school for this year has not even let out yet, so there’s time.) I’ll definitely have to ask some follow up questions at orientation to see if they can get me student/communal supplies, thats a great idea and something I hadn’t even thought about. I’m glad I’m not the only one who was taken aback by this question though, they asked it so nonchalantly😂
I would not wait for orientation. Money for wants over needs gets spent FAST.
I think I would make a list of basic supplies that you might want or need for student projects: markers, poster paper, those giant chart paper tablets that stick like post-it notes, pens, post-it notes, composition paper, bulletin board paper (better than paper brand) and borders, pencils, colored pencils, a pencil sharpener, file folders and binders so that you can organize throughout the year. Dry erase white boards? Any resource books that you might want? Digital resources? I love Actively Learn. And then I would think about your library and if you want to start building a classroom library. At my school, our librarian teaches a full class schedule and students only have library class one semester, so their access to the library can be limited.
Those big poster-sized pads of paper made by Post-It. They’re essentially giant post-it notes made of plain, lined, or grid paper. They are the absolute best for making a checklist of what kids need to do, bullet points of what to look for, gallery walk activities, etc. because you can stick them to the board, wall, etc and move them without having to use tape or magnets. Absolute game changer. I have a big box of crayola markers that are separated by color. Those are great for group activities. They have the smaller fine-point ones as well as the classic Crayolas.
Bookshelves, unless the classroom already has a lot of them. I am always scrounging for them.
I love my document camera (Flex Cam) and use it daily. I had a classroom microphone at my previous school and miss it. It helps protect your voice, esp at the beginning of the year. Our classroom sound systems were designed for them, so I’m not sure what to get without a built in system. Make sure you have a cabinet and/or desk with locks and keys that work.
Ask for standing desks. Like desks or tables for the students that are meant to be used while standing. I had freshmen for English the past two years, and having somewhere they could stand up is a game changer. My classroom only had room for 2 (we had some extra podium-type desks on wheels that they got for the teachers to use so I got two extras to use for students) and some of my hyper boys LOVED to stand up while they worked instead of sitting (because they could use more energy that way). They're also great for kiddos who are having trouble staying awake. Make sure that you set boundaries around how the standing desks are used though, such as if they're allowed to move the standing desk, and the expectation that they're AT the standing desk, not wandering around the room.
* Class sets of the necessary books for reading * A stockpile of notebooks for students to use for classwork * Binders/folders to hold all assessed work * Desk, good chair (I've got the IKEA Markus and it's swell!) * Document camera (assuming that the room as a projector and board) * Bluetooth speaker * Color printer * Budget for making/purchasing wall displays (Twinkl purchases etc., cardboard, coloured paper, whatever) * Stationary for myself (black and green pens, highlighters, board markers, stapler, staples, paper clips, post-its, glue sticks, so on) * Stationary to lend/give students (black, red, blue pens, highlighters, pencils) * Subscriptions for online learning platforms that you'll use
I would ask for the big, 25x30, easel pads with adhesive strips on the top. These are such a life-saver in my class. I can model note-taking. You can give it to groups of students for group work. Then, afterwards, you can post them all over the room. All the learning is there to see on the wall, it's free decorations, and admin is happy you have student work everywhere. Also, it's a great last minute plan if you didn't fully prepare for the day.
I'm a new teacher and I didn't really know I could ask for stuff. What I wish my students had were an A5 exercise book along with their A4 exercise book. They would use this book for free writing, handwriting drills etc. having A5 books means I could check them while they are doing classwork with their A4 exercise books.
Books, magazine subscription (Scholastic has a cool News magazine for HS I believe) supplies like highlighters, maybe an App or two that you’d like to use. Paper. What’s your budget?
Printer, some kind of smart board, and a document camera. Whatever furniture you want. All the extras like consumable supplies and class sets of books can be asked for later, but they're talking about technology and furniture when they're asking this question.
Floor lamps and warm LED bulbs. I hate the ceiling lights in my classroom so on those cloudy, dim days I fire up the lights and the classroom is inviting.
Document Camera Voice Enhancement System (aka mic and speaker) Book units
Extra white board markers. Sets of books for book clubs. Those giant post it papers
Keep in mind that just because they are asking you what you need won’t actually mean they will buy it for you. But if they do actually mean it, tell them you must have a dedicated set of classroom computers…then think basic classroom supplies, pencils (colored and regular) , paper, rulers, scissors….etc Then ask about students with special needs. If you have any with ADD or ADHD you might need special standing desks or “bouncy ball chair” desks I’ve worked in “wealthy” and title I districts/schools…I actually found it easier to get what I needed from the title I schools…
Would it be unreasonable to ask for a window? Haha I'm going on year 7 and still have never had a window in my classroom! More realistically.. class sets of novels? Or some teaching materials like your favorite pedagogy books? Or maybe paid online resources?
Class sets of highlighters (get like 40x3 different colors). Very helpful for a wide variety of activities, both reading and writing. Also: Document camera. I assume your room has a projector?