Classroom Supplies Teachers Run Out of Most Often
Every teacher has a private list of things that vanish. Knowing which items go first lets you request them before the shortage, rather than during the week you are rationing glue sticks.
5 min read
The fastest-disappearing items
- Pencils — the undisputed champion, especially in grades 2 through 8.
- Glue sticks in primary rooms, often a class set per month during project seasons.
- Dry erase markers, roughly a set every two to four weeks with daily small groups.
- Tissues, heaviest from November through February.
- Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes.
- Copy paper, cardstock, and chart paper.
- Sticky notes, used for everything from annotation to exit tickets.
- Snacks for students who need them.
Plan around the calendar
August and September wipe out folders, notebooks, and labels. Late October through February takes tissues and sanitizer. Spring takes project materials, poster board, and anything used for testing routines.
Requesting a few weeks ahead of each of those windows is far more effective than requesting during them.
Buy in the sizes you actually use
Bulk is cheaper per unit but only helps if you have somewhere to put it. For small classrooms, two mid-size restocks often beat one enormous one.
Track it for two weeks
Keep a note of every time you replace something from your own closet. Two weeks of that produces a more accurate wishlist than any generic template, and it gives you the specific detail that makes a request compelling.
Ready to set up your classroom page?
Classroom Wishlist is free for teachers. Create a personalized page, share one link, and keep track of who supported your classroom.