I am a firm believer in making learning fun. Whether it's letting students pick which lessons they are interested in learning about, playing "cool" music in class, or putting stuff around the classroom that makes students feel more at home, it's ultimately the little things that make a long lasting impact in building positive relationships within a classroom setting.
Below, you will find a list of things I purchased online that my students have LOVED over the years.
STICKER STORE
My students LOVE stickers and, luckily for me, I can buy a lot of them for cheap! I have purchased THIS SET in the past and it has been great. I pair it up with my CLASS BANK to simulate a real world classroom economy where sticker purchases can be made.
SCRATCH OFF STICKERS
Slap these SCRATCH OFF STICKERS with a reward underneath and watch your students get excited every single time they get one!! So simple, so affordable, and SO FUN! I like to use this for random rewards for on-task students, students who show respect/kindness to others, and just in general to keep students motivated in class.
ANSWER BUZZERS
These ANSWER BUZZERS are a fun addition to group work. Pass out these buzzers and watch students instantly get excited as they get ready to share the knowledge you have taught them. These guys make learning more fun and bring an element of game like learning to your classroom.
MEME STICKERS
Want to make your students laugh? These MEME STICKERS are sure to do it. I like to add them to graded work. It's always so funny to see the kids running around looking at everybody's meme stickers. Another simple addition to your classroom routine that is highly motivating for students!
DOODLE BOARD
I had one of these DOODLE BOARDS for my own kids at home and thought how perfect it would be in a classroom. This device allows students to write stuff down in fun colorful text. They can then instantly erase it so it can be easily reused many times. These doodle boards would be super fun for small group instruction. Instead of using traditional pencil and paper, these boards will sure to be a popular pick with your students!
CLASS SPINNER
One way you can use this CLASS SPINNER would be by adding students' names to it. You can spin the wheel each time you would like to call on a student in class. Another way could be to write some simple rewards (candy, HW pass, etc.) on the sections and then randomly give it to students or the whole class for positive behavior.
HANDS ON TOOLS
Believe it or not, building things in my classroom is probably one of the most requested activities that we do. We love using things like these SCREWDRIVERS and HAMMERS to build the FREE DIY HOME DEPOT KITS every month. It is great life skills practice on SO many levels. Knowing when to use the right screwdriver, differentiating between screws vs. nails, fine motor skills for hammering a nail, etc. are just some of the many ways you can increase life skills engagement in your classroom with these supplies. If you can't get your hands on of these free DIY kits, you can also simply bring in some scrap wood and have students practice adding/removing screws, "hanging" things like picture frames etc.
PUNCH CARDS
I love these simple PUNCH CARDS for their no prep flexibility. These can be easily individualized for a wide range of students' needs. These would make great tactile and visual incentives for behavioral tracking and can be a fun way for students to stay motivated for a reward.
MINI WHITEBOARDS
A set of these MINI WHITEBOARDS will go a long way in your classroom. They are the perfect way to do formative assessments in the moment. My students love writing their answers down and holding them up so I can see it. They are simple, efficient, and will last a long time. You can use them across multiple content areas too. Definitely a must have for any classroom!
Hope this blog gave you some fun ideas for this upcoming school year!