Target + back to school shopping…+ Starbucks Coffee = happy teacher. As if I don’t spend enough money at Target…
I really loved the Bulleye’s Playground/Dollar Spot teacher items they have this year! A lot of storage containers in really cute colors, and a TON of cute pillows and decor. Unfortunately, most of it isn’t available online. Check out my reel on insta or tiktok if you’re interested to see some of my finds before you head out (or just look below).
Check out some of my must haves below. Maybe they’re not all teaching essentials… but certainly great items to have (from experience) or upgrade your space.
Folder Clipboard
First of all, it’s just dang cute. I love it because it has a notepad to jot things down and a pocket for papers. I usually use mine for a transportation clipboard. I put my laminated transportation form on the front to use at dismissal each day and put any notes or important student info in the pocket. The notepad is great to write down reminders, to-do lists, or use for notes in PD.
Stickers
Rewards, behavior charts, reading logs, incentives, art center, grading…
Folders
Specifically the Up&Up 2 pocket folders with brads. I use SO MANY folders in my classroom. Daily “take home” folders, picture dictionaries, goal notebooks, writing folders, reading logs…etc. I like to have all matching ones that coordinate with my classroom (I know, I know) for my goal notebooks and daily folders, so I buy my own. These ones have always held up pretty well for me. I use the ones the student’s bring in for my other notebooks around the classroom because they are all sorts of colors and brands (writing folders, etc).
Post-It Notes
No brainer. I don’t think I could live without these. I write little to do lists, save places, use with the kiddos when making charts, jot down notes, and give students take-aways after small group or conferences.
Post-It Note Chart Paper
This chart paper is kind of pricey, but I love it because you can stick it anywhere around the room without using tape AND no easel needed. Worth it.
Fluorescent Light Covers
I loathe fluorescent lights. Tame those suckers!
Rattan Wall Décor
Pillows
I am loving all things “Boho” lately and Target is delivering! There are a lot of pillows in the dollar spot that are less expensive and look more tailored to classrooms: an earth, multi-cultural hands, books, rainbow, etc. You can’t get those online though!
Pencil Bins
Reading Tent
Novelty Erasers
I love using erasers for various activities in the kids get PUMPED to pick out their erasers to use. There are a few options online, but I have found the best ones in the dollar spot. They usually have them out during back to school time. I picked up 2 packs the other day! I use them for Bingo, counters, etc. I store mine separated in pencil pouches.
Dry Erase Pockets
Perfect to use with white paper in lieu of mini whiteboards or in a pinch instead of laminating.
Mini Dry Eraser Erasers
A class set of these for whole and small group!
Dry Erase Sentence Strips
I use these all the time to help with sentence writing, handwriting, word building, and spelling in my guided writing groups.
Dry Erase Dice Blocks
I love using these dry erase blocks/cubes/dice to practice skills like sight words, letter sounds, letter recognition, etc. Easy to make almost any skill practice into a game!
Blank Books
What’s more fun than creating your own book in writing workshop?
Rainbow Cart
I LOVE this! I used mine to organize supplies, papers, and activities for each of my reading and math groups. I name my groups the corresponding colors and place the materials in those specific bins- but they’re easy enough to label, too.
Supply Caddy
I use caddies for each table to store shared supplies. I coordinate the colors with table names, example: green table has a green caddy. This helps so much with classroom management and organization. I also use caddies to store my small group materials at my table so everything is in arm’s reach. They don’t have them online, but I prefer the colors and styles in the dollar spot over the ones available online. They are always available in July and August in store.
Book Bins
I use these to store books, duh, but also to store student’s journals, folders, etc. I also match these to each table color. Again, they don’t have them online, but I prefer the colors and styles in the dollar spot over the ones available online
Paper Trays
I use these as a spot to turn in work, unfinished work (coordinated to table colors) and to store reading and math scavenger hunts or center work. (and, so, psstttt..in case you didn’t know- They don’t have them online, but I prefer the colors and styles in the dollar spot) 😉
Storage Cubes
LOOKING FOR SOME OTHER TEACHER FAVORITES AND MUST HAVES? CHECK THESE OUT:
Caffeine and Crayons 
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