My 1st grade students would ask me what I wanted as a gift, especially around Christmas. What was on my wish list? Not wanting to focus on myself or the cost of gifts, I would usually tell them I wanted a present that we could use in the classroom.
One year, the PTA had a very successful fundraiser and each teacher was able to buy items for their classroom. A dream come true.
Once, a local business “adopted” our classroom as part of a Chamber of Commerce outreach program. They arranged for employees to volunteer in the classroom but also donated lightly used games and toys as well. The kids loved the “new” stuff in our room.
Now, teachers share their wish lists online and people donate items. Whoever started this idea, needs a “Caught Doing Good” ticket.
If you are a parent, or grandparent, or a generous person at heart and what to contribute something to a teacher’s classroom, these ideas might help you find the right gift that’s on their wish list.
A 1st Grade Teacher's Wish List for their Classroom
The list of what a 1st grade or primary teacher wants for the classroom could be endless. It can also vary greatly depending on the teacher creating the gift “wish list”.
Some teachers want all the things,
some want all the trendy popular themed things,
and some may be more of a minimalist and want just the basics….
but good, quality basics that will survive daily use and lots of hands using it.
1. A Stapler! Really
When I taught 1st grade, I wanted a stapler. I had the regulation stapler that the district purchased in bulk that jammed every 12th staple and that was labeled with my name in permanent marker. (Who else would want it?)
However, at the end of a long week while trying to prep for the next week, I dreamed of an
industrial strength,
heavy duty,
soft touch
stapler that would bite through more than 20 pages and NOT give me a blister after just a few packets.
2. Wall Clips and Putty
The types of walls in schools really impacts what will stay hung over time.
Some teachers
(speaking for a friend…)
fear walking in to see all of the kids’ artwork on the floor. It’s not a good way to start the day. Here are some solutions.
3. Containers, Boxes, and Bins
Personally, I was a bit obsessed with storage. I loved the dollar store and all their plastic container displays.
So, it’s definitely on the wish list… especially at the beginning of the school year. If the system of organization is set up at the start of the school year, everyone can learn where everything needs to be and go back to.
But sneaking in over the holidays and organizing creates a magical feeling in the air… like elves came in and did all the work to help us start the new calendar year off right.
Storage can be: drawers, book bins, tubs, pencil boxes, even soap boxes for traveling (great for small flashcards). You can find a use for almost all the sizes available.
4. Visual Timer Clock
When young children can see the amount of time slowly disappearing, they get a better sense of time.
A visual timer can do the trick.
5. Stamp Set for Grading
Self-inking stamps for grading make checking papers and giving feedback and encouragement so much easier.
6. Presentation Clicker
This remote allows a teacher to move about the room and still advance the slides and volume of a presentation.
It’s a real luxury.
7. Desk Pets
Who doesn’t love a pet? Students will be motivated to earn these little critters as a reward.
8. Art Supplies
Usually, markers, crayons, colored pencils, and watercolors are items that parents are asked to purchase at the beginning of the school year as part of the school supply list to send in for their child to use. There are schools that might supply some of these, or have a storeroom (like my district) that teachers could visit to get extras as needed throughout the year.
Crayons break. Markers dry up when lids are lost, and somehow one color always gets used a whole lot more than the others.
Smelly markers are popular with all kids not just kids who have sensory issues.
Then there are bright colors, pastel colors, thin fine line and broad line markers too.
So many to choose from.
An entire box of white crayons come in handy for drawing ghosts or writing invisible sight words that reveal themselves when a marker colors over them.
Having multicultural colors is great too.
Colored pencils are less messy than markers. Trust me I know. Even though markers say they are washable, it doesn’t really apply to kids’ hands or faces.
But you may want to add an electric pencil sharpener to the wish list too.
Watercolors when combined with water is like magic. Water spills do happen at times… but these are still my favorite paints compared to real paint.
9. Indoor Recess Activities
Variety is key here. Some social butterfly kids want to play with a friend or two or three. Some want/need that down time to be on their own. Others need a structured activity while still others want to create or use their imagination.
Puzzles can build teamwork and cooperation skills as well as help develop visual and spatial skills. And if it’s a large floor puzzle… kids love ’em.
Board games teach kids more than taking turns and following game rules.
Building materials can bring out the creativity and imagination of children.
10. Exactly the Thing They Want
When you just aren’t sure
what to get…
an Amazon gift card
can allow them to purchase
exactly what is on their wish list
for their classroom.
10 Items on the Wish List of a 1st Grade Teacher
What to Donate to the Classroom
of your Favorite 1st Grade Teacher
- A Soft Touch Stapler
- Wall Clips/Putty
- Storage
- Visual Timer
- Grading Stamps
- Presentation Clicker
- Desk Pets
- Art Supplies
- Indoor Recess Activities
- Amazon Gift Card
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases if you use my link. There’s no extra cost to you.
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