A well-loved classroom often requires a mid-year top-up of teacher essentials, and according to primary school educator Luke Springer (also known as Mr Luke on social media) this restock requires strategic thinking. 

“Back to school [at the start of the year] is an overhaul. You buy it all. By mid-year, my team and I aren’t rebuilding the classroom; we’re walking around the classroom and checking the cupboards like we’re investigative spies. We’re topping up what’s made the biggest impact and resetting the areas that need a little love. It’s less about volume and more about value,” he says. 

When it comes to shopping for teacher supplies and the “little legends” in his classroom, he restocks tried-and-tested favourites and introduces a few fun new things to reset energy and engagement during learning time. 

Everyday Classroom Supplies

Glue Sticks

“Learning tasks and craft projects never slow down.”

HB Pencils

“Writing stamina builds mid-year, and pencils do not survive!”

Whiteboard Markers

“We use them constantly, so they disappear quickly – even quicker when the lid isn’t put on properly.”

Staples

“Our little legends are very confident with the stapler during craft time, and they are not conservative with their usage.”

An assortment of classroom supplies, shown on various brightly coloured backgrounds, including glue sticks, HB pencils, whiteboard markers and staples.

What to Try

Teacher Essentials

Pens 

“Two terms of note-taking, feedback, planning and parent communication takes serious mileage. A refreshed pen collection genuinely keeps things moving.”

Sticky Notes

“They’re quick, visible and flexible. Perfect for feedback, reminders and quick thinking moments, and random thoughts you cannot forget!”

Laminating Pouches

“When something needs to be durable and accessible for students, you need it to happen immediately. Not having laminating pouches when you need them can completely disrupt the flow of a lesson or a learning setup.”

Chocolate

“[I like to have] a stash of chocolate for the teachers’ drawer. The 3.30pm energy dip is real.”

SEE ALSO: How to Create Tape Art With Kids

An assortment of teacher supplies, shown on various brightly coloured backgrounds, including pens, sticky notes, laminating pouches and chocolate.

What to Try

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Fun in the Classroom 

Playdough

“The perfect go-to for a little relaxation moment. After two terms, it 100 per cent needs to be replaced.”

Art Paper

“[Students] will take any opportunity to grab a piece of paper and bring something to life. A pizza shop owner, a princess, a sunset, a fish, Pokémon – you name it. Two terms of creativity means supplies are running low.”

Building blocks

“[These] allow for creativity and collaboration… anything that lets [kids] construct and create is in constant rotation.”

Puzzles and Games

“Open-ended play builds fine motor skills, collaboration and problem solving, and by mid-year everyone is ready for a fresh challenge to master.”

An assortment of learning resources, shown on various brightly coloured backgrounds, including playdough, art paper, building blocks and games.

What to Try

SEE ALSO: 4 Construction Activities for Kids Who Love to Build