When I first became a teacher at the school I currently work for, my teammates were saying things like, “put it on your wishlist!” or “your families want to know what you need!” I was appalled, feeling incredibly awkward asking for things from people. However, my students’ parents and my own family and friends began requesting lists of things I needed for my classroom, and it finally dawned on me… teachers are one of the only groups of professionals that regularly spend money out of their own pockets to make their job possible. If someone wants to help me, why would I stop them? Furthermore, why should I rob someone of the opportunity to bless my students? So I made my first wishlist and I was floored by the results.
What is a Teacher Amazon Wishlist?
Teachers have begun using the wishlist feature on Amazon to request items for their classroom. Sometimes, they share this with their own personal friends and family via social media, teacher support groups, or if allowed in their district, they may share it with their students’ families. The wishlist will range in items and prices depending on content area, grade level, and individual teacher’s needs.
Why Does the Modern Teacher Need to Use Amazon Wishlists?
The bottom line is that teachers today do not generate enough income to fund all that they need in order to use best practices in their classroom. Additionally, while districts provide teachers with some funds, it still falls short of covering curriculum, organizational resources, rewards, decor, activities, supplies, etc. So why not put yourself out there a bit to get some of your teaching essentials covered? At the beginning of every school year, I look through a bunch of teachers’ lists to see what I may not have thought of. Here are some of the best items you may want to start with. You can expand your list, but here are my top 30 amazon must-haves to help get you started!
30 Amazon Wishlist Must-Haves for Teachers in 2021
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#1 Swingline Paper Cutter- My students call this the shark. Haha! I use this quite regularly to avoid the extra trip to the teacher workroom. Jaws is there to get the job done! #2 Playing Cards- Perfect for a plethora of math games! (Not to mention indoor recess, too!) I like to give each student a set of these in their math activity zipper folders. #3 Kraft Scissors- My students LOVE when I bring these out for crafts and activities! I love how the simplest things get them so excited. #4 Metallic Markers- I just adore how fun these markers are! My students like them too, and always ask if I can use them to grade their papers. #5 Shoe Organizer- I hung this on the inside of my closet to keep all of my extra supplies organized- tape, ribbon, erasers, glue, etc. I love that I can find supplies quickly and easily. #6 Peppermints- Stomachache? Mints. Headache? Mints. Overwhelmed? Mints. Need I say more?#7 Band-aids- Mints and Band-aids. Band-aids and Mints. They fix things for students 9 times out of 10. #8 Plastic Mesh Zipper Folders- Remember the playing cards from above? This is what the students keep them in along with dice, timers, expos, etc. Everything has a place! #9 Dry Erase Ticket Holder Pockets- These are a must-have for station work in math, reading, or other subjects! #10 Flair Pens- A teacher classic. #11 Magnetic Digital Timer- Easy to use, and sticks to my magnetic whiteboard. Great to have on hand when you want to use your projector for instructional slides instead of a timer. #12 Dry Erase Boards- I love these for allowing students hands on practice and participation during instruction and even centers. Furthermore, these really help me make quick formative assessments. #13 Plant Therapy Essential Oils- One of my best friends told me this was the closest brand to do-terra or Young Living essential oils available on Amazon. Additionally, the students love to pick out the oil and set the tone and mindset for the day! It’s all about setting the environment you want your students and yourself to be surrounded by all day! #14 Whistle- So you don’t have to yell at recess… #15 Wiggle Feet- Perfect for those kiddos who just need to move, but are trying not to disrupt their classmates. #16 Better Than Paper- This stuff is AMAZING! Reusable bulletin board paper? Yes please! Plus, Better than Paper is wrinkle free and you can even wipe it down! #17 Plush Globe- This is so fun to throw around in the classroom during games, activities, reading, etc. The kids get so excited when I pull it out! And! It will not cause any injuries! haha #18 Crayola Colors of the World Markers- I absolutely love that crayola did this. I have a bucket of a few sets of these available for kids to use when they are working on a project or coloring activity. It is so important for each child to feel represented and worth having a marker in their skin tone.#19 ABC Storage Containers- I just think these would be adorable in any classroom regardless of age group. I use them to store my classroom pillows that the students use during read to self time. #20 Fidget Foot Bands- Every single one of my students uses one of these. While they are not required to, they just love them. The bands also help them focus during group work and independent work time as well! #21 Presenter Remote- Our district removed our SMART Boards, so this was a life saver for presentations! Additionally, it is fun to use the laser to point to the board or things around the room. #22 Reward Stickers- I use these for simple classroom strategies along with my succulent sticker chart freebie. For more transformative classroom management strategies, click here!#23 Binder Rings- A must have for task cards, writing prompts, and other activities around the classroom. Secondly, the various sizes make it easy to find the perfect size for your project. #24 Wireless Barcode Scanner- A fun edition if you decide to use a library source like https://www.booksource.com/#25 Motivation Stamps- I so enjoy using these to add color and fun to my students’ graded/checked work. They get excited too when they see one of the stamps on their page! #26 Magnetic Whiteboard Cloths- Washable AND magnetic?! What more could you want? 😀#27 Reward Punch Cards with hole punch- These are a fun way to incentivize all sorts of things! Reflex, extra math, positive behavior, acts of kindness, etc.! #28 Kitchen Timers- Perfect for the Math Zipper Pouch! The timers make great additions to math games or self motivation! #29 Tap Push Lights- The creative options are LIMITLESS!!! Bathroom lights? Yes, please! Signals for voice levels? Heck yeah! Allow students to grab your attention without calling out or trying to keep their arm up? Yup, works for that too! 🙂#30 Magnets- I use a variety of magnets, but these are fun, simple, and versatile! A day does not go by that I do not use them.
How to Set up Your FIRST Teacher Amazon Wishlist
Please see this STUNNING PRINTABLE for step by step instructions on how to set up your first Teacher Amazon Wishlist HERE!
Why Wait?!
Amazon wish lists are a must-do in the teaching world today! Have you set up your list already? If so, what are some of your favorite items to include on your wish list? If you haven’t done this yet, I hope you will consider doing it today! Please use the resources I have provided as a starting point! Let’s grow our classroom resources together!
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