• Purchase the appropriate teaching supplies well ahead of time.school supplies 2 image by Lauren Ingro from Fotolia.com
  
  Having the correct teaching supplies in place can make the difference between a smooth and a frustrating school year. School districts sometimes supply materials or reimburse teachers for the money they spend, but educators commonly must use their own cash to purchase supplies. Especially for a new teacher, a supply list of common items offers valuable suggestions and saves time. Start planning early, so you're not scrambling at the last minute to gather teaching supplies.
  
  

Decor

• Purchase a few different bulletin-board borders. Buy material remnants to use as bulletin-board backgrounds; these can be easily stored and recycled. Purchase some punch-out letters in different sizes. Use construction paper for displaying student work samples. Hang pocket charts in the classroom to house learning centers. Purchase educational posters online or at teacher-supply stores.
  
  

Organization

• Teachers use "in" and "out" trays for collected papers. Buy unit boxes to store themed materials, notebooks and journals. A good-sized USB flash drive makes document storage easy. Have plenty of binders and hanging files on hand. Teachers often house extra worksheets in plastic bins. Place the bins in a prominent place for easy student access. Even though most data is stored on computers, schools may still offer books for grades, lesson plans and attendance.
  
  

Desk Items

• You will often use pens, pencils, erasers, marking pens and highlighters. Invest in a dependable 3-hole punch and stapler. Place dividers in desk drawers to separate items, such as pushpins, glue, paper clips, rubber bands, sticky notes and white-out. Purchase a tape dispenser, and place it within easy reach.
  
  

Personal Articles

• Keep a sweater in class in case of temperature change in the building. Buy a dependable attaché case---one on wheels is advisable---for material transport. Place personal items such as a comb, dental floss, cough drops and aspirin into a small case, and leave it at school. A handheld calculator, a screwdriver, a CD player and a laser pointer will come in handy during the school year. Keep a supply of thank-you notes and envelopes.
  
  

Student Supplies

• Students of any age like stickers on their papers. Place motivational rewards, such as pencils or colorful pens, in a "grab box." Buy a dependable pencil-sharpener. Keep extra supplies on hand---paper, pencils, notebooks and journals. Give them to needy students, or use them when an unexpected need arises.
  
  

Cleanliness

• There are lots of germs in classrooms. Custodians generally don't have the timeto clean individual classrooms every day. Wipe the desks daily with a multipurpose cleaner. Provide anti-bacterial hand cleanser for students to use. Spray the room with a disinfectant. Position tissues within easy reach.
  
  

Emergency

• Schools usually equip each classroom with first-aid kits and emergency items such as flashlights. Store several bottles of water in your classroom. Use duct tape around doorways if there is a gas leak. Have towels on hand for spills and other clean-up.