You Don't Need Any of This

But, if you are looking for a back-to-school treat for yourself, I've made a list. 💸💸💸

Overconsumption is a real problem and something I’m working on.

And, I love getting little teacher items for myself or my classroom.

Two things can be true at the same time.

I made a list of some of my teacher favorites. Unfortunately, many links lead you to the place that I’m also trying to avoid. So, just know, you don’t *need* any of this. But I was leading a PD this week and used a few of these items and teachers asked for the links. I thought I’d make a post that put them in one place. Do with it as you’d like! 😀

This drink caddy let’s you bring all your beverages into school at once. I had my coffee, Diet Coke, Premier Protein, and water bottle. I’m sure you have your favorite four!

I love my Owala water bottles. But I have had the lid break. Did you know you can buy replacement lids? Cheaper than getting a whole new bottle. While you’re getting a new lid, grab a bottle boot too. It helps keep your bottle from slipping around and it looks cute. Plus, if you’re paying for shipping anyway, might as well?

This chime was one of the things from that PD this week that had the most requests for a link. I attended a PD 15 years ago where the presenter used this and I just thought this is so me. I’m not a call and response kind of teacher (although I’ve seen them work great) and clapping/clap responses worked okay. The chime has been the calmest way to quiet a noisy room of kids or adults. I have the 3 chime version, but there is a cheaper 1 chime version too.

This used to be my favorite notebook, but it’s not available online at the same link. I guess I could have searched harder, but I went ahead and got this one to use for this year. So far I like it just as much. I use it for planning, note-taking, etc. I like the dotted pages for organizing, drawing lines, or even a quick graph!

For yourself or students, I like a silent fidget. I bought these to try. So far, I’ve used them myself while on a Zoom call. I like them. My favorite fidget are a marble in the mesh bag thingy, but these were pretty nice.

Who invented this magical candy? If you like gummy candy, actually, even if you don’t, these are good. Portion control needed, hence the packs. Buy them for yourself or put them on the tables when leading a PD (and then steal one to eat for yourself at the break).

Busy mornings during the school year means I sometimes need some hair help. I just got this dry shampoo and like it. Or, I’m trying to be like the young people and do a slick back pony and you need a brush like this to help and maybe some wax to smooth away the pieces that fly away.

Are you even a teacher if you don’t carry at least 2 bags into school each day? I just got this one monogramed with the word “Mathy.” There’s a trend of getting a bag like this with a funny or cheeky phrase. I got mine from Lands End but I think L.L. Bean “Boat and Tote” is also a classic.

Stop bringing your lunch in a plastic grocery bag. Upgrade to a reusable, cute lunch bag. This one is insulated. These flat ice packs are also awesome for keeping things cool if you don’t want to have to shove this in the school fridge.

Strong magnets! I bought these and ended up finding so many uses. I actually keep them in my teacher/PD bag just in case I need them! You can use them to hang up reusable dry erase pockets or Wipebooks. If you do “Clothesline Number Line,” they work for holding your string. I saw this video of a teacher using magnets to hang things from the magnetic strips that go in between the ceiling tiles. If you are allowed to hang things from your ceiling, I think this could be a good solution!

Get yourself a little something for back to school, or don’t! Remember, you don’t need anything new! 😉