Congratulations! You've just accept a new position in the classroom!
Maybe it's your very first teaching position or you're switching to a new school, either way there's a few tools that will save you time and make your teaching life run MUCH smoother.
Special Education Classroom Tools
Before I share my must-have-BFF-favorite tool that I can't imagine planning and teaching without, here are some honorable mentions:
- Velcro (go ahead and splurge on the coins, you'll thank me later!)
- Cardstock (another splurge, much more durable than paper)
- Ink
- Laminating sheets
- Binders
- Bins (all sizes, my favorite are from IKEA)
- Fidgets (don't purchase too many until you get to know your students' preferences)
- Timers (collect ALLLL of them)
That's a pretty good list so far and you can find even more tried and true teacher recommendations at Positively Learning's Amazon store:
Have you guess what tops the list as my teaching BFF?
I only have wonderful things to say about this miracle machine!
Here's the scoop – I purchased this laminator a few years ago from Amazon. I know Walmart and Target has had the same model, too. Important note: I've had this home laminator for quite a few years, which means I've probably laminated more than 1000+ pages! It's still working PERFECTLY! If it were ever to call it quits, I would immediately purchase the exact same brand and model again.
How about laminating pouches and sleeves?
I've tried ALL sorts of laminating pouches (only the 8.5 x 11″ size) and I've never had any problems. I've also never read any directions, so that tells you how easy it is to use!
You can find laminating pages in bulk from a wholesale club (Sam's, Costco) and Amazon. In a pinch, I'll purchase the Scotch brand from Target, but they are much more expensive.
Do I REALLY need a laminator at home?
Quick answer: YES. One of the reasons I really love using my own laminator (besides ultimate convenience), is the quality. I've never experienced the “peeling” or completely destroying wrinkling the huge lamination machine at school produces. The at-home pouches also seem thicker. My students sometimes struggle with dexterity (and accompanying frustration) and the thin school-lamination quality is no match.
Now I'm looking for a paper-cutter…any suggestions?
I cannot use the large scary slicer kind. No matter how carefully I try to line it up, I always cut right through the most important parts. I'd love to purchase something to easily use at home to cut out the millions of task cards I use.
Thank you for any suggestions!