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New Teacher "Must-Haves" (Middle School Social Studies)



As a veteran teacher, I often get asked by new teachers what are some "must haves" for the classroom. Everyone's list is going to vary depending on the grade level you teach, district, content area, etc. My list is based on my experience as a middle and high school Social Studies teacher in rural Wisconsin. 

Okay, now let's get to it. 

Here's my list:

  • Large wall-mounted roll-down maps (both physical and political). Note: These are expensive. Ask your building principal to provide you with maps if your classroom does not come equipped with maps. Trust me. You will need these. I use my maps daily. If your principal does not provide you with maps, I recommend setting up a Donors Choose. I've had really good luck getting all of my classroom projects funded. (I have this set.) I would LOVE this one. (Maybe future Donors Choose?)
  • Toiletry kit (for me) and one for students. (I keep my student kit in a cabinet and students know where it is at. If they need anything, they don't need to ask. They just take what they need.)
  • Pain reliever (Tylenol, Advil)
  • Healthy snacks (for me) and snacks for students. Personally, I like almonds and granola bars. I keep my fridge stocked with bottled water and diet cokes (for emergencies lol).
  • Personal laminator and laminating pouches. (Laminating pouches are expensive. Ask if your department or building will cover the cost.)
  • High-quality electric pencil sharpener. Make sure you get one that works for color pencils as well. (Trust me.) This is the one I have. 
  • Wire baskets. (For student homework.) I have these in my classroom. 
  • Broom and dustpan
  • Plants (real, not fake!)
  • Kleenex
  • Hand sanitizer

I use my laminator at least once a week. I laminate task cards, maps, hexagonal cards, my daily agenda cards, and more. Definitely worth the small investment.



I use magnetic tape on the back of my laminated daily agenda cards. I created these a couple years ago. I store them in a small Rubbermaid container and swap out my cards as needed. I created cards for my History, Civics, and Geography classes (unit titles and activities).





I keep everything organized with these jumbo black clips. 


My organizational system for student homework is pretty simple. Each period has a separate wire basket. Each basket is labeled. I keep graded work separate from ungraded work with black clips. 




Not "must haves" but "nice to haves"

  • Small refrigerator and microwave
  • Air purifier
  • Fan
  • Laser Pointer
  • Black electrical tape (for whiteboard)
  • Small magnetic rod for hanging daily calendar
  • Magnetic dry erase marker holder and magnetic dry eraser
  • Magnetic file holder (for "no-name" papers)
  • Astrobright paper
  • Magnetic tape (this is what I use)
  • Cardboard cutout historical figures! (I have this Lincoln in my classroom. My students LOVE him!)





What did I miss? What "must-haves" or "nice-to-haves" would you add to my list?







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