Teacher wishlist


 I don't know about the rest of you, but I get really excited when order time comes around.  I'm a little worried this year; however, because we are usually done ordering for the next year by now and I haven't heard anything yet.  I'm wondering if, because of the economy, we will not be getting as much money to order for next year.  That would mean we would have to seriously consider what we need vs. what we want.  We are lucky that we get a budget per classroom, but outside of that money nothing is provided for us.  We have to use that money to order anything and everything we think we need for the  next year that we don't ask students to bring in like: pencils, staples, paper clips, folders, etc.  

I decided to give you a list of some of the things that I LOVE and buy every year - My FAVES.  Then I also have a few things that I have my eye on for next year - My Wishlist.  My Wishlist will most likely be the things I will need to purchase with my own money if I really want them, but we'll see.  

I would love to hear from what's on everyone else's wishlists - your 
Faves AND your Wishlist.  Link up below!

Ok - here we go....

MY FAVES

You will see a trend in the things I like to order.  I am all about COLOR!  I know that buying colorful pens and folders are more expensive, but dangit they make me happy.  

So my first FAVE is the markers I use on my charts and posters.  The Sharpie markers are really great for anchor charts, but I just love Mr. Sketch and all the different choices of colors too.  So I get both :)



Then, of course, it makes me happy to use different colored pens for checking papers, writing in my desk calendar, jotting down ideas, etc.  


Every teacher knows you can never have too many file folders.  And remember I like colorful things.  I like to use different color folders for different subjects, holidays, month, etc.  It helps me feel more organized because I remember the colors I use and I can find things easier.  


This is a set of bulletin board borders from Carson Dellosa  that I already have, but I want more of them because I love them.  This year my room has tons of polka dots.  The black border with polka dots on top of a bright background color looks awesome.  It really makes the bulletin board pop!  I also really like the black with swirls.  

And finally, as any teacher who creates or uses computer generated center materials or games, you know you need lots of cardstock to print on so the supplies are durable from year to year.  I plan on getting tons of white cardstock, but I also like (of course) the colored pack too!




MY WISHLIST

My goal this year - really it's my goal EVERY year is to be more organized.  Each year I feel a little better about my organization, but I really think being organized depends on having the right materials to organize with.  So I'm looking for some things to get to continue organizing myself and my students.  

First up are plastic drawers.  I have one of these in my room right now, but I really think I could organize better with a couple more.  




Next item are these cute boxes I found at Really Good Stuff.  I don't know what I'll use these for, but I'm sure I will find something - probably centers and games.  




 I also really liked these magazine boxes I found.  I found them HERE, but I'm sure they are in teacher supply magazines too.  I want to use them for students' browsing book boxes.
This next item is one of my students' favorite things we have in our classroom - a whisper phone for quiet reading.  This one is from Really Good Stuff again.  Right now I only have 1 of these and 2 that are made out of PVC pipes.  The kids really LOVE using these.  I use them during guided reading.  A couple kids use the whisper phones (we alternate) so they can hear themselves reading and don't get distracted by the others.   I would love to have a bunch more of these for center time and quiet reading.  




Another thing I've been looking at are these canvas book bags for students to take classroom books home.  Again, these are also from Really Good Stuff - I love that site!!!  Right now I send home books each week in gallon size Ziploc bags.  It works, but these would be so much nicer!





Finally - and this is a total WISHLIST item.  I don't expect to be getting this this year, but a girl can dream :)  For those of who don't know, this is a Silhouette Cameo machine.  You can cut out letters and  shapes and SO much more!  This would be such a time saver and I could create AWESOME bulletin boards.  Who knows if I'll ever get one, but I'll keep it on the list!
So, link up and let us all know what you cannot live without and what you REALLY want :)  Don't forget to check back and see what everyone else wants.  



17 comments:

  1. Wow.....I am shocked that you get to order things for your classroom. We get NOTHING! No money, no supplies. Just what the students bring in. Our art room does supply us with things like paint and construction paper though, but we don't get any money to spend in our classroom. I guess I didn't realize other places did! That's what I love about blogging. My eyes are opened to a whole world I knew nothing about! :)

    I will have to think of my wish list and link up this weekend!

    Mrs. Pauley’s Kindergarten

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    1. I learn so much about other classrooms too through blogging. I love that part! I know how lucky we are to be able to order things each year. I'm hoping this will continue. It's funny though, as teachers we can always keep finding more that we want to buy and spend our own money like crazy. I'm sorry your school doesn't allow you to order - maybe someday that will change for you!

      I'm looking forward to reading your wishlist!

      Melissa :)

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  2. I will be linking up tomorrow! Can't wait!!

    Jessica
    Second Grade Nest

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    1. That's great! I'm excited to see what's on your wishlist! I LOVE reading your blog :)

      Melissa

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  3. Thanks so much for hosting this super fun linky Melissa! What a fun idea :) I am seriously jelly that you get some funding for things. That would be wonderful for me, as I have a serious school shopping obsession. I need to get a few organizational tools myself :) Thanks again girl, you rock!

    Hugs!
    Khrys
    keepinitkoolinkinderland.blogspot.com
    kool.in.kinderland@gmail.com

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    1. Man - I am starting to feel a little guilty that our school offers this for us. I've taught in 2 school districts and they both did, so I took for granted that this was the norm. Since I started blogging, I realized that it isn't. I hope this linky doesn't make people think I'm bragging. I just had no idea! I guess either way, we all have items on our wishlist, so I hope others see it that way.

      Thanks again for linking up! You're the BEST!!
      Melissa

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  4. You get to use school money to order things??? How odd. I've never been at a school that does this? Do you get a set amount? That sounds ah-mazing! I totalled my receipts for my classroom spending this year and I spent well over $1500 this year.

    Deniece

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    1. Hi Deniece - so happy you stopped by! We do get a set amount (if you are curious, you can email me and I will share what that amount is - mmachan16@gmail.com). We are allowed to order anything we want, but nothing is provided for us outside of that money and we don't ask the students to bring in very much. So once we buy things like pencils, paper clips, staples, paper, glue sticks (ugh, glue sticks - we go through those quickly!!!) --- we don't really have much leftover. Believe me though, I realize it is still a blessing that we even get that. It always amazes me how much we all, as teachers, dig out of our pockets when we don't make that much money. Then we get criticized in the media for various things. It can be very frustrating! I'm sure you are a wonderful teacher and care so much for your students to spend so much in order to make learning more fun in your classroom! I hope your generosity is returned to you 10-fold!!!

      Melissa :)

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  5. Thanks Melissa for hosting this linky party. My school district is similar to yours. The only difference is that we have to submit our purchases ahead of time for pre-approval. But it sounds like you are the same where this money is for anything you want to provide. My school does not provide any supplies at all. I love visiting your blog and I am your newest follower.
    Sherry
    Kindergarten Milestones

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    1. Sherry - thanks so much for linking up! I visited your blog and am also your newest follower. I loved it!!! I will definitely be on the lookout this summer for those Dr. Seuss book bags!!!!

      Melissa :)

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  6. Fun linky! I am going to try and link up tomorrow but I am afraid my wishlist will go on and on and on.... :) I can't believe some schools give NOTHING for supplies?!?! Our district has cut it down to just about nothing but we still get a little bit to buy staples, paperclips, paper, etc. How are we supposed to teach kids without supplies??? I love smelly markers! Have you seen the Scentos? I have been using those to check papers! The kiddos LOVE to smell their papers and if one student forgets the rest are saying "smell it, smell it!"
    I found you through Khrys's blog post and am your newest follower! I look forward to reading more! Thank you for sharing your ideas!
    Kim
    TheVeryBusyFirstGraders

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    1. Hi Kim,
      Thanks so much for visiting! I can't wait to see your wishlist too! I definitely could have gone on further with my wishlist, but I thought I should only list my top items :) Scentos ---- I have heard of them, but not sure where to find them. I am sure my kiddos would LOVE them too! I am on my way over to check out your blog. I love finding new first grade blogs to follow!

      Melissa :)

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    2. I originally found them at Wal-Mart but now I can't find them, at least in our town! :)

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  7. I just linked up! We have some similar items in our "favorites" category! Thanks for hosting this linky, it was fun to do :-)

    MrsMc from Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

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  8. Melissa - I saw you love the whisper phone but you only have one. I have 5, they are homemade. I bought the PVC connector from Home Depot and used my cutesey duct tape and voila - whisper phones:) I might have to do a DYI post about it. Thanks for the idea!

    Deniece
    This Little Piggy Reads

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  9. Thanks for the chance to link up! I love seeing everyone's favorites!

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