I don’t know about you, but a good classroom restock is one of my favorite parts of back-to-school.
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Supplies and Goodies
Each year, there are some consumables that I like to restock before school starts.
- When I start my classroom restock, I begin with cleaning supplies like Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer, and magic erasers. I also like to refill my spray bottle of white board eraser.
- Similarly, I visit the school nurse to restock bandaids! Even in high school, bandaids are a magical way to cure every malady!
- I have four sets of favorite classroom markers: I use Flair Pens for grading, Mr. Sketch for anchor charts, Expo for the dry erase board, and Vis-a-vis for more permanent dry erase. I don’t usually go through a full set of these every year, but I always check during my classroom restock because I don’t want to be without anything!
- This year, I also know I’m running low on pink and orange highlighters for students to use. We color code for a few different lessons, so we need more than basic yellow.
- The start of the year is the time when I use my Brother label maker the most, so I like to check for label tape as part of my classroom restock.
- Finally, I like to check my stock of thank you cards. Back to school is a group effort, so I want to make sure to have plenty of cards to thank hard-working support staff and volunteers!
Technology Restock
It’s weird to think about restocking classroom technology. My school computer doesn’t change from year-to-year, but one way to “restock” the computer is to check for software updates. Honestly, technology is sometimes the most time-consuming part of my classroom restock.
I also like to update or audit my password tracker.
The start of the school year is also a good time to check the batteries in wireless remotes and keyboards.
Most importantly, I make sure all my chargers and power bars have returned to my room. It always seems like computer chargers (and sometimes my personal phone charger) wander away during the summer!
Back-to-school technology is sometimes more complicated than I expect, so I actually made myself a technology checklist to keep track of everything!
Personal Restock
In addition to restocking my classroom, there are few personal items I like to take care of before school starts.
- First, I love a back-to-school haircut and pedicure! Something about these treats always makes me feel put together before the first day of school. (As a bonus, I try to also get my dog into the groomers around the same time!)
- Similarly, I try to thoroughly wash and vacuum my car before school starts. Like a fresh haircut, this routine just puts me in the right mindset.
- Next, I tend to fall off the meal-prep train during summer break, so before school starts, I like to get a few weeks of meal prep under my belt. If it’s time for a new lunch box or ice pack, this is the perfect time to get those details in order.
- While I’m getting together lunch supplies, I also like to restock my snack drawer. These are not snacks I share with students but the goodies I keep for myself. I also keep some plasticware in this drawer, so I always want to check that!
- Right now, I’m set for teacher bags, but if your favorite has faded or worn, I have some favorite recommendations!
- As I bring items into school, I also shift some reusable shopping bags, plastic grocery bags, and Ziplocs into my classroom. This is an overlooked but essential part of a classroom restock!
- In the same vein, I keep a full set of clean clothes in my classroom. I launder everything during the summer, so I definitely want to bring that back to school. I have experienced every possible at-school clothing emergency, so I am prepared head-to-toe now!
- Like extra clothes, I also keep some other emergency items handy: medicine, feminine products, deodorant, hair ties, chapstick, etc. Making sure that these items are available is an important part of my classroom restock.
- I also visit the ATM for some cash before back to school. The first few days back are full of PD, and sometimes we go out for lunch or someone orders in. It’s easier to keep cash on hand for times like this.
- Finally, I like to pick out my go-to summer anecdote. Put a pithy anecdote in your back pocket, and you’re ready for every back-to-school meeting!
Complete your classroom restock with all my back-to-school favorites!
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