Any teacher, or aspiring teacher, knows it takes a lot to get a classroom ready for the school year. There are school supplies that your students will need readily available, shelves that'll need to be stocked with books, cleaning supplies to be used, etc. And often teachers have to go to school several weeks before it actually starts just to make sure they've got their classroom in order. Here are 15 items that may not be required by your county or school district, but they'll make you feel like a boss when you're in front of the class talking about Hamlet. And who doesn't want to be a boss?
1. A planner.
I love mine from Barnes & Noble, but you can literally get a planner anywhere nowadays. I recommend getting one that's at least the size of a small composition notebook because then you can add extensive notes and have enough space for other things on your teacher to-do list!
2. Durable bookshelves.
Obviously, your classroom will house a LOT of books if you're an English teacher. And because not everyone wants to spend a majority of their paycheck for bookshelves from Target, those from Walmart are just as durable and pleasing to the eye!
3. Literary posters.
I, for one, adore literary posters. They were one of my favorite aspects of the English classrooms I've been in. Literary posters are a perfect way to bring literature to life inside the walls of your classroom. Etsy has some super cute ones, as well as 2nd & Charles if you have a store near you.
4. An electric pencil sharpener.
Students have always hated having to use that dang sharpener that's been bolted to the wall for Lord knows how long. It squeaks way too loud, pencil shavings get all over the floor when the cover comes off, and the little lever you turn ends up hurting your fingers. Instead of putting students through that, why not just be nice and make an electric sharpener available? They might also be a bit loud, but your students will thank you.
5. Independent work playlist.
I personally enjoy Spotify for making playlists. You can find pretty much any song you're looking for and, if you purchase their Premium package, you can play any song, any time. One of my high school English teachers used to play music when we had our independent writing time and it actually helped us stay focused and foster our ideas onto the page.
6. Post-it notes.
Post-it notes were the key to my survival in high school and, still, in college. I'm certain they will be when I'm a teacher as well.
7. Extra dry erase markers.
Dry erase markers have a talent for running out of ink at the most inconvenient times. This way, you'll have extras on hand and your lesson doesn't suffer. Also, I recommend purchasing colorful markers, they're more likely to keep your students engaged than when you write everything in black marker.
8. A Keurig coffee maker.
My creative writing teacher bought a Keurig machine and set it up in her classroom for students to use. She supplied a big box of sugar packets and nonperishable creamer packets and, as long as we could supply our own kcups, we could have a hot drink whenever we wanted. This is a luxury, but one you won't regret if your classroom allows the space for it.
9. A comfy sweater.
Anyone who's spent time in a public school knows that the temperatures can be a bit tricky. You walk from the lobby, where it's nice and warm on a spring day, down to your classroom that feels like Antarctica because it's trying to make up for the sweltering heat outside. That's why it's always a smart idea to keep an extra sweater handy in a desk drawer or cabinet nearby. One could also argue that it's a good idea to keep a pair of flats in your classroom as well. When those six-inch heels you were loving this morning start to hurt, you'll thank me.
10. Dictionary/thesaurus combo.
This is an obvious one. A dictionary/thesaurus is an English teacher's best friend y'all.
11. Candy bowl.
Everyone loves getting a treat every once in a while. Make sure to have an array of chocolate as well as salty and sour stuff to satisfy everyone's tastes. Also, on Monday's, sometimes the best part of their day is getting a piece of candy from their English teacher.
12. List of ice breaker activities.
You can use icebreakers during the first week of school, certainly, but it's also a good idea to keep a list of short, fun activities for when you sense your class getting restless.
13. Stack of literature-based films.
If your students are reading a book that has a film adaptation, it's really fun to watch the movie after you complete the novel, if time allows. And at the end of the year, when you're running out of things to do, you can always pop in a movie and break out the candy bowl for a movie day!
14. A Goodreads account.
Goodreads is a LIFESAVER as well as an awesome resource for English teachers and other English nerds. The app has billions and billions of books in its database and almost any detail you'd want to know, including reviews. It's just AWESOME.
15. A conquer-the-day attitude.
If you have a humdrum attitude, you'll have a humdrum day.
BUT if you have a kick-butt, conquer-the-day attitude, your day will be productive and your students will definitely think you're a boss.
And those are 15 classroom necessities to make you a boss English teacher.
Happy teaching!
