15 Practical Teacher Wish List Ideas You Will Adore
Over the summer a fun thing for teachers to do is to add to their wish list.
A classroom wish list which can be hosted as an Amazon Wish List, on a classroom website, posted at open house or meet the teacher night, or emailed out to parents, is a great way for teachers to get supplies they need or want for back to school.
This is perfect for first year teachers and veteran teachers alike. Read on for my 15 favorite teacher wish list ideas.
Pens
Teachers can never have enough teacher pens.
They are constantly misplaced, lost, drying out, or given to others.
The best THREE types of pens for teachers are Flair Pens, Ink Joy Pens and Sharpie Ultra Fine Markers. There are pros and cons to all 3, and it is best to have options in your classroom!
Post Its
Post Its have SO many uses in the classroom.
They can be used for teachers to write notes to each other or to do lists for themselves. Post It notes are also great for whole class sharing activities, bookmarks for students, anchor charts and more.
I love to have a variety of sizes to choose from, and ones with and without lines.
Paper Slicer
A paper slicer is the tool that teachers never knew they needed until they acquire one, then they cannot live without it.
Sure, teacher’s lounges might have a paper slicer for the staff.. but we have all been there when you forgot to slice an activity, your whole class is waiting, and then you butcher 24 papers with your teacher scissors.
This Swingline paper slicer is the BEST investment.
The blade remains super sharp, it is easy to pull out and lightweight enough to store away when you are done. Plus the locking mechanism prevents any potential student accidents.
Laminating Machine & Sheets
While your teacher’s lounge might have a laminator, having a personal one is the BEST for on the fly jobs and for creating DURABLE activities.
The giant laminating machines have very thin sheets that cause your materials to peel over time.
Scotch Personal Laminating Machines are AMAZING for any teacher creating her own materials. Don’t forget to stock up on laminating paper as well! You will NOT regret buying name brand for this purchase.
Astrobrights
Make activities, flyers, permission slips, and other classroom creations a bit more fun with Astrobright papers!
Who does love a nice, bright sheet?
Rather than having teachers pay or using the dull school colors, adding astrobrights to your wish list is a GREAT way to get the fun colors you need in your classroom for the year!
Professional Development Books
Are you wanting to implement best practices into your classroom but are scared off by the price tag of the newest professional development books?
Be sure to add some of the books you want to your wish list so that you can stay up to date with the latest educational trends. These make GREAT PTO gifts or gifts from parents.
Back to School Books
Looking to refresh your classroom library, specifically to engage students at the beginning of the year? Add the BEST back to school books to your library.
These are gifts students and parents LOVE to give, and ones you can use year after year.
A NICE Stapler
Do NOT underestimate the power of a NICE stapler.
You want one that flips open and can do bulletin boards, one that staples many pages together, and one that is easy to push and pops back up without getting stapler jams.
This might seem trivial, but is an investment you won’t regret!
Teacher Scissors
Have you ever tried to cram your adult hands into a pair of child scissors? Hello, Blisters!
Alternatively, do you remember those super old metal scissors every teacher had? Those were in my first classroom… and let me tell you, the day I upgraded to a nice pair of teacher scissors was a day I will not forget.
It is best to get at least one pair, but it is also nice to have 2-3 for elementary teachers.
Mr. Sketch Markers
What would an elementary classroom be without these scented poster making markers?
Forget the days of trying to make your markers last all year. Add a few boxes to your classroom wish list so that your favorite color always has ink.
What scent is your favorite?
Magnets
There’s really nothing worse than being mid-lesson, reaching to hang another sheet of paper on the board and realizing you are out of magnets.
Then you are fumbling around trying to pull other papers off to hang up the most recent one.
Avoid the hassle and add magnets to your list of teacher wish list ideas.
Permanent Markers
Labeling is ESSENTIAL for elementary school classrooms.
Supply boxes, name tags, book bins, backpack cubbies, awards, lunchboxes… you name it.
You’ll want at least one good pack of permanent markers around to do this and to have on hand for other activities or anchor charts.
Chart Paper
Chart paper is abnormally expensive but also so important for creating anchor charts with your students.
It is an expense that can be a big burden on teachers but can be helped with teacher wish lists, PTO funding or school accounts.
Ticonderoga Pencils & Erasers
Does pencil brand really matter? YES. YES IT DOES.
You will absolutely want to add Ticonderoga pencils to your teacher wish list.
These pencil tips will not break and the erasers are not going to rip holes into your students’ papers.
The ONLY thing that can make Ticonderoga pencils better are their custom erasers that can be used all year long.
Washi Tape
Another fun thing to have on hand is Washi Tape.
It is great for dividing your board or anchor charts, adding to student projects, using in your planner and for any other odd jobs in the classroom.
There are a lot of fun colors and designs to pick from and it will add a little flair to your room!
Final Thoughts
Making a classroom wish list can be overwhelming. You might feel bad adding things to your dream wish list, but you will be surprised how many people want to help a teacher by fulfilling Amazon wish lists.
Whether you’re a first year teacher or a veteran teacher, this compilation of teacher wish list ideas is for you!
What is missing from our list? Drop it in the comments below!
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.