| Children spend the majority of their young lives in | | | | or tissue paper, paper for paint, poster boards and |
| educational institutions, public or private. Because of this, | | | | paper bags. |
| is it essential to provide their young minds with enriching | | | | Color - Crayons, colored pencils, chalk, and |
| experiences that bring out their best work. It is | | | | markers will give classroom projects the hues they |
| important that the classroom is a supportive | | | | need. |
| environment for learning and creativity. Keeping the | | | | Paints - Watercolors, washable paint, acrylic paint |
| classroom organized and fully stocked with the proper | | | | and finger paint |
| supplies will give our children the learning atmosphere | | | | Brushes - Paint brushes, sponges and rags |
| they crave. | | | | Craft supplies - Pipe cleaners, foam sheets, |
| Many classroom supplies are purchased with money | | | | pompoms, yarn, glue, glitter, clay, beads, buttons, and |
| straight from a teacher's pocket. While these | | | | craft sticks |
| purchases are tax deductible, they can still put a strain | | | | Bulletin boards and informational posters are easy to |
| on a teacher's already stretched budget. Having | | | | put up. And bulletin boards are a great place to |
| enough of the right materials is important; no teacher | | | | showcase student's achievements and works of art. |
| wants to spend money on classroom supplies that will | | | | Plants, aquariums, and terrariums also fill up the |
| never get used. | | | | classroom and present opportunities to learn. |
| Common classroom items include crayons, glue sticks, | | | | Storage will also be very important in the classroom. |
| markers and scissors. It's better to have a few | | | | Staying organized keeps the chaos from distracting |
| replacements as these items get broken or lost often. | | | | students. Some teachers are lucky enough to have |
| Items like staplers, hole punches, and scissors can be | | | | built in storage, while others necessitate purchasing |
| engraved or labeled with the teacher's name to | | | | cubbies and storage totes. |
| prevent them from disappearing. Tape and paper | | | | Finding teaching supplies and classroom supplies is |
| towels will need to be replenished frequently. | | | | easy, but where to find quality items at the lowest |
| Art supplies are the most fun and can provide many | | | | prices can be trickier. Some items like pencils and glue |
| opportunities for learning and expression. Every subject | | | | can be purchased at great prices at the local discount |
| can incorporate a craft or art project. Dioramas, scale | | | | store but those looking for specialty items, such as |
| models of mountain ranges or molecular structures, | | | | bulletin boards, will have to do a little more searching. |
| and self-portraits are just a few of the infinite possible | | | | An online teacher store is a great place to find the |
| projects that use these supplies. The following list | | | | unique classroom supplies and may even provide |
| represents a small portion of the art items necessary | | | | discounts for buying in bulk. Comparison shopping online |
| to create a positive, enriching classroom atmosphere: | | | | will save time, gas, and money and all teachers know |
| Paper - Drawing paper, construction paper, crepe | | | | that every cent counts! |