Picture this…it’s your first year teaching and you’re told “you can order anything you want with x amount of money”. Wow! Amazing! Buuuuuut, where do I start? Been there, done that, several times. I think I have finally nailed down a system that helps me keep myself in check. I understand everyone’s budget may not be the same or work the same. I’ve had to order everything in one large order but I’m lucky in my current school I can order throughout the year. I do try to place larger orders but hold some money back for things I might forget about or run low on. If you need to stretch your budget and aren’t restricted where you can order from, look for places that have discounts for spending a certain amount. HUGE money saver!
Before I order anything, I look back on all of my projects I did in the previous year, especially if I know I’m wanting to do it again. I jot down all those supplies and then check my cabinets. If I have a surplus, I don’t order that; if I am low, I write down the quantity I need of that item.
Below, I’ve compiled a list of things that I typically always order at the beginning of every school year unless it’s not necessary. I broke them into categories based on what process of art they are used for. Items with an asterisk (*) are absolute must haves to start the year.
Drawing
- Pencils*
- White erasers*
- Class pack of markers*
- Class pack of crayons*
- Class pack of colored pencils
- Oil pastels
- Sharpies
Tools
- Glue sticks*
- Glue bottles
- Masking tape
- Replace any scissors*
- Replace any rulers
- Replace any paint brushes
Paint
- Tempera or acrylic paint
- Watercolor palettes or replacesments
- Watercolor crayons
3D Materials
- Model Magic
- Clay (if you have a kiln)
- Polymer clay
Restock
- Drawing paper—9×12”, 12×18” (90 lb)*
- Colored paper
- Watercolor paper—9×12”, 12×18” (90 lb)
After you’ve been in a classroom a while, you’ll figure out your routine and what feels necessary to order. If you are able to order often throughout the year, maybe just start with the first quarter or the basics as I’ve listed above.
IF you don’t have a large budget, I highly encourage you to listen to our podcast episode about advocating for yourself. Soon we will have more information about stretching your budget and writing grants.
Please reach out with any questions you have about how to make your budget work for you! We are here to help!
Keep blending,
Hayley