CONGRATS! If you are here you must be a NEW special education teacher, or a first year teacher. If you are wondering where to get started- this post is the perfect place to be!
I am going to share all of the things you need to get started on the right foot with a brand new special education classroom.
You see my posts on instagram and Facebook and wonder (where did she get that!) today I’m gonna give you ALL the ((full disclosure, some affiliate)) links.
You will need these things to create the classroom setup that you are dreaming of. + for your kids to be successful.
(( Again, this post will contain affiliate links. You don’t pay anymore, but if you purchase from my link I get a small commission. This allows me to try everything out that I recommend to you and keep my blog running smoothly- so thanks for clicking my links!))
VELCRO: Feiner Supply.
You buy in bulk and get hook + loop separately. I get dots and strips. I prefer black, because I am used to having visually impaired students who need the color differentiation to stand out. It does take a week to come cause it’s not prime ( bummer) but you get SO MUCH FOR YOUR MONEY! (#worthit)
LAMINATOR: YOU NEED A HOME LAMINATOR.
I am not joking. If you don’t have one you will spend hours at the jammed 100 year old school one, just to be shocked when it peels away the next day, or is out of commission for 10 months because you are the only one who really needs it.
Here’s the link to the larger laminator for file folders. (a little more expensive but worth it.)
LAMINATION: Do not buy SCOTCH
I repeat, DO NOT BUY SCOTCH. The amazon sheets are where it is at. More expensive than some (and feel free to buy the cheapest but prepared for it to peel on you) Also no joke I buy 12 packs at a time. ESPECIALLY if you are starting out.
For file folders you will need to go scotch 11×17!
CARD STOCK: here is my favorite brand.
Again buy in bulk and AGAIN. REGULAR PAPER DOES NOT WORK in self contained!!
I also have bought the Neenah brand, it sometimes is the deal of the day!
RUBICOIL: Don’t let your books spiral out of control.
This is a definite splurge! Ask for it as a gift, go in on it with another teacher, convince your admin- anything you can do to have one! They will make all the difference… and your books will be bound for life.
TASK BOXES: Buy them in Bulk.
You need a task box system. I talk about this far too much. (Read about how to get one started here.) To start you will need 10-12 bins. You can get them here in a set! Find the labels here.
VELTEX: The fabric of your dreams
It’s basically the loop of velcro. and I use it to DIY everything= especially schedules and visual storage. You can see the magic happen here. You can find out more ways to use it here.
Binders: Home Communication
These are the ones I use for communication- BUY EXTRA and have it ready for a new student. I put my student forms in them in the beginning of the year, and use these communication sheets. I love these binders because they are light and flexible- they fit in any backpack and easy to carry.
BINDER RINGS: Perfect Visual Carrier
These are perfect for visual keychains, traveling token boards, fidget toys, adapted books, and so much more!
Paper Cutter: Work Smarter, Not Harder
Don’t hurt your hands cutting when you can use a paper cutter. It will make all the difference. This one is light and easy to carry back and forth from home and school for easy prep.
PRINTER: Be smart- Don’t waste all your ink!
If you are afraid of printing at home and wasting all your ink, or you are going over monthly limits- go laser (brother), I say that but I know it’s expensive. So instead, I recommend the HP instant ink program. They know when you need ink and it shows up on your doorstep as you are writing 8 IEPS in one weekend. (PERFECT)
Now, I know what you are thinking-
Okay Alyssa, Thanks for all the links, but I’m a new teacher I have no money!
YUP. That was me. I was drowning in bills and velcro though. I am promising you that this will be worth it and will make your year better.
SUGGESTIONS:
AMAZON WISH LIST: I suggest adding the items I listed and whatever else you think you need to an amazon wish list for mom, dad, or auntie Barbara, to send you to help get your new classroom off on the right foot. You can share the link via an email
GRAD GIFT: Many of you must be recent grads! YAY congrats to all of you. I suggest asking your family for materials on your amazon wish list. You could even make it like a registry and give the link out on the invite (seriously never enough of those materials!)
ASK YOUR ADMIN:
Ask your admin if there is any funding for you ASAP. I went 2 years before I knew I had some… womp- womp. Spend the school money on prep materials that you can leave behind in case you get a new job.
DONORS CHOOSE:
Sign up for donors choose and create a project! Summer is a great time to do this and donors love our population! Please share your donors choose link on this post so we can share, donate, or just pump each other up. My first project I got velcro, crayons, and some books. My next one I got tons of sensory items. I have even got ball chairs and ipads! Donors choose is the way to go!
ASK FOR DONATIONS:
Facebook is a great place, and facebook yard sales are even better. Especially for younger grades. Search for toys, games, shelving, and books here! Also post on your own page and let your friends know what you are looking for! I have gotten many tables and shelves this way. You never know what you will find!
SPLURGE NOW REST LATER:
So if none of the above work for you ( come on some of them must) or you just need this stuff NOW( I feel you because we are already like 2 months behind in how much laminating you need to do) think of it this way. The better prepared, organized, and structured you are when school starts, the better off your students will be, the happier your admin will be, and the the more the parents will love you. It might take a little money to get you off your feet (all teachers experience this) but it will be worth it. I promise.
(( Again, this post will contain affiliate links. You don’t pay anymore, but if you purchase from my link I get a small commission. This allows me to try everything out that I recommend to you and keep my blog running smoothly- so thanks for clicking my links!))
Learn more about Simple Self-Contained Setup 101®: the bingeable online course made specifically for self-contained special educators! Reduce overwhelm and anxiety during back-to-school season with the proven methods I teach you in this course! Click here to learn more and join the waitlist now!
double donations up to $50 by adding the promo code LIFTOFF at checkout for the next 4 days.
This is great – and accurate! Wish I had known this my first year, but I finally got it together after my second year. Note: you’ll spend more money on trial and error than just splurging and getting all the right products at once. The only thing I would add – consider the size of the velcro coins. Too small, and students with poor fine motor skills can’t match up the pieces. Too large and students with poor fine motor skills can’t pull off the pieces. What size coins do you typically use?
I’m going into my second year of teaching, but this list is still spot on. I spent a lot of money on laminating pouches, cardstock, and velcro last year, but it was 100% worth it! I’ve been meaning to buy the larger laminator for file folders, but I never got around to it! Thanks for sharing the link.
I have a Donors Choose project going on, so I’ve gotta share! https://www.donorschoose.org/project/ipads-to-access-the-world/2598411/
Love your blog and your resources Alyssa!