9 awesome teacher must haves for the classroom 2022

This list of teacher must haves for the classroom will help bring the fun back into teaching!

This is not your usual list of boring things we all know you need. This list is not full of things like ‘sharpened pencils’, ‘desk organiser’, or ‘paper clips’. This is the list you want to make your classroom more fun, more engaging and more manageable! This is the list that will get you excited about the opportunities you could create in your classroom. 

Have I got your attention? Good! 

Grab a coffee and start adding these to your Amazon wish list!

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9 Teacher must haves for the classroom

1. Classroom timer

I know a lot of teachers like to use the timer on their device but I often have about 10 things running on mine at once so anything I can easily move to another device or gadget I grab immediately! 

Personally I use a super simple timer like this one, but while I was having a look around I saw this traffic light timer which has to be the holy grail of timers! If it was within my budget I would absolutely grab this. This would be perfect for students who need a visual cue or need time to wind down an activity. All three colours can be programmed to have the amount of time that suits you. As a science teacher this would be amazing for helping my students with time management for experiments and packing up time. I’m definitely adding it to my wish list and it deserves the number 1 spot on my ‘9 teacher must haves for the classroom’ list!

2. Wireless Doorbell

My classroom can get very loud. VERY loud. Particularly in a science lab when there are kids doing hands-on activities. This doorbell has saved my poor throat from having to yell over the chaos! When I need to get my students attention or it is time to pack up I just ring the doorbell. It is life changing! If you move from room to room then just take it with you – it doesn’t have to be secured in one spot in the room. 

3. Answer buzzers

These answer buzzers are so fun to have in the classroom for quick quizzes, games and revision. I bought two sets so I can have 8 groups in my class playing at once. Use them however you want! Students can’t help themselves – they just want to press the button!

4. Mini whiteboards

These are so worth investing in. The range of activities you can utilise using mini whiteboards is endless and the students absolutely love them. 

I use mini whiteboards for student practice, quick informal assessment, working out, group activities and mind maps. When I asked my students why they like them so much they said they love that you can rub it out so they were more willing to take a chance as the ‘mistakes’ don’t seem so permanent. 

This pack comes with mini dry erasers and white board markers to go with them! 

5. Morning Meeting Chips

If you have a morning meeting or home-group / roll call group then these Morning Meeting Chips are a must have. I always dreaded having to think of something to fill such a short amount of time every day. I didn’t want the time to go to waste but it was also difficult to think of something quick but still meaningful. These will save you so much prep time. Just grab one each day and have a student read it out. Let them Think, Pair, Share. Done!

6. Jenga blocks

Jenga is such a fun game! But have you ever thought of the ways it can be used in the classroom? Whether it be the iconic jenga or these coloured blocks (my personal fave), using them in the classroom can take a normal quiz or activity to a more engaging level.  

For example, instead of having students answer revision question cards, turn it into a game where students only get a turn to move a jenga piece if they get the answer correct. Person with the most blocks by the time the jenga falls, wins! 

7. Whiteboard markers – ALL the colours of the rainbow!

There were so many times in my first year teaching that I went to draw up a diagram on the board and realised I definitely didn’t have enough colours or the right colours to do it justice. This pack of whiteboard markers has 15 colours and they are magnetic! 

My preference is also to have markers that are more fine tipped as I often invite students to come and write up on the board. They seem to find it easier to write with the finer tipped pens than the thicker ones.

8. Double sided tape

If your school is anything like mine then you will have restrictions on how many holes you can drill into the walls for your displays. This double sided removable and reusable tape is perfect for helping you create the classroom you’ve always dreamed of without ruining the walls. 

9. Fluorescent light coverings

It is pretty standard that school classroom lights are fluorescent even though this type of lighting can cause headaches and strain the eyes. These fluorescent light coverings are excellent for limiting the harshness of the light while also adding a pop of colour to your ceiling. 

Conclusion

We all know there are things teachers cannot live without in their classrooms. So I wanted to put together this list of the less conventional teacher must haves, but the ones that I have found to make the biggest difference in my classroom.