Beginner Teacher Art Supplies

Congratulations! You have completed all your college courses, took the test, and have accepted your first job. Now you find out that teachers are not given any art supplies. So what do you do? Considering you have little money, you need to get creative.

Learn the secrets of Teacher Art Supplies to find out how to supply your class with what they need at a price you can afford. With a few teacher secrets, you can have more supplies than you ever though possible.

School Art Supplies

First thing you need to do is check out the school art supplies. Most schools will have a die cut machine (it cuts out shapes and letters). Some have a Cricut. Whatever you have you need to find out what your school has and how to use it.

Since most schools have die cuts, you will only need staples and construction paper to make creative bulletin boards. Get a pack of construction paper now for your first board and then you can use the student supplies to make more.

How to Create BIG Designs

The most overlooked tool is the overhead. Shine any design onto a large sheet of paper and you can trace it.

For example, I do a Dr. Suess “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” wall. I get a transparent sheet and trace a fish from the book. I think place the tracing on the overhead and shine it onto a wall that has butcher paper on it. Pulling back the overhead makes the picture bigger and bigger. Once it is the right size, I trace it on the butcher paper. This makes very cute displays.

You can do this with your school logo, picture books, or anything else you can trace.

The Basic Teacher Supplies

Every teacher needs to have some basics. This is the stuff you want to keep for your own, even if the school provides it. It includes:

• A good stapler
• Your own set of crayons/markers/map colors
• Staples (I prefer colored but any will do.)
• Tons of shaving cream
• Lots of Baby Wipes
• Storage Bags
• Dry Erase Markers
• Construction Paper
• Glue Sticks
• Organizer (I use a tool box)

Additionally, teachers will want to stock up on some other supplies as they start getting more money. I once had a mentor tell me, “Anything you can do at home is worth the money.” This is one of the truest statements ever. Not only does it save you time, it will save your sanity.

• Die Cut (Sizzix is a Good Brand)
• Card Stock Paper
• Glitter/ Glitter Glue
• Tissue Paper (Assorted & Holiday)
• Stamps (Letters, shapes, sayings)
• Ink Pads
• Paints

As you grow as a teacher, you will find more and more art supplies seeping into your home. It is not unusual to find a retired teacher with a whole room full of art supplies. In fact, teacher garage sales are a perfect place to bargain hunt for your teacher art supplies.

Good luck and may your teaching years go pleasantly.