What tools do you NEED for teaching? Seriously... I am not asking about sharpies, glue, scissors, batteries, etc. What actual tools do you use in your classroom on a regular basis?
My first year teaching, I had to borrow a fellow teacher's tool set often. I used it so often that my hubs bought be my own for Christmas that year.
(I seriously ask for and get items for school for Christmas.)
Here is my tool kit.
Here is my tool kit.
I wish I had known what tools teachers needed and why before my first year, so I am sharing with you now.
1. Screwdrivers- flat and a Phillips head- you will need them to change out batteries of Leapster and many other electronic devices. I keep a good one in my tool kit and a small one in my desk with my batteries. I have also use them to open gallons of paint, hang hooks back up, and tighten cheapo kid watches back together. Keep a small set around for any kid with glasses too.
2. Hammer- I use a hammer to hang cork boards, picture frames, and countless other things. I also close gallons of paint. I have also needed it to nail shelves together to fix them or ply a loose nail out of wood.
3. Tape Measure- I don't use this for my students' height, but I could. I use to when organizing and moving furniture and creating my hallway displays (I need to write some of the sizes down so I don't have to keep remeasuring!) I also use it to measure my bulletin boards for fabric, my door for paper, and desks for finding the center before taping nameplates down. It is also handy to pull out during our measuring unit.
4. Pliers- things get stuck... a lot... trust me on this one and get it.
5. Nails- I keep a small container of nails, carpet tacks, and such in my bag. I use the nails for LOTS of things like repairing shelves, magnet center, and crafts/gifts for adults. I use the carpet tacks to attach things to the back of cubbies without it going in as far as a nail.
6. A ladder... on your hall- I brought in an old ladder to set my room up during my first year. It was light and easy to use. Needless to say it was so popular by EVERYONE that I moved the ladder to the custodian's closet and everyone uses it all the time!!!
What tools do you use that I should add to this list?
Ahh!! I love this!! I agree with all of the above! I have used all of these tools in my classroom at some point in time.
ReplyDeleteLisa
Learning Is Something to Treasure
You forgot Allen Wrenches for tightening table legs. Super glue... for those odd things that get broken and only super glue will fix. Goo-gone... there are some sticky items in Elem schools. Packing tape (I've used it for a large number of things!) Exact-O knife.
ReplyDeleteI have had the random need for a socket set (but I knew those instances were coming).
You've made a great list and I agree with everyone of them. I need to get a ladder for work. I'm so tired of climbing on top of tables and chairs (totally not safe! Don't do it).
My assistant janitor comes to my room to borrow tools when he can't find theirs.
ReplyDeleteI have a staple gun for long-term bulletin board items, glue gun, pliers, a hammer, phillips and flat screwdrivers, and a level. The level started out as realia for a book but has come in handy a few times when lowering and raising tables.
I am the queen of zip-ties. I use them to hang things, around desk legs to keep groups together and the most common use...as a belt. Lots of our kids don't have a belt and their pants are too big. I stick a zip-tie through two of the belt loops and cinch it until they are tight enough. I've used pipe cleaners for this but they came untwisted and poked the kids.
I've also used zip-ties for a darling that wouldn't leave the shoelaces in his shoes. They kept flying off and I told him next time I was zip-tieing them on his feet. They flew, I tied, and they never flew again.
I have borrowed electrical tools from my hubby to fix an electrical problem in the noise-stoplight in our lunchroom.
Looking into get a ladder, just not sure where to store it.
Allen wrenches, ratchet wrench and socket set, needle nosed pliers, and vise grips have all been used extensively in my classroom over the years. I also have some "mechanical fingers" which have come in handy so MANY times. (It is a tool with a long, bendy shaft and a little grabber or claw at the end. The end that you hold has a plunger button that opens and closes the claw. It is great for retrieving papers, pencils, and even puzzle pieces that have fallen behind bookshelves and the air conditioning unit.)
ReplyDeleteI too keep a screwdriver and hammer at school. I have used then a lot so I am thankful I took time to take them there. Thanks for these tips.
ReplyDeleteApril
Wolfelicious
I have a small set of tools in my desk drawer. You just never know what you might need at any time
ReplyDeleteLori
Conversations in Literacy
When I left for college my mom gave me a Do it "Her" Self tool box that has all those basic tools in it...have used it for MANY years! LOVE it! It also has a hot glue gun. I also like to have different kinds of tape for various things...duct tape, masking tape, packing tape. I know my supply is currently out and need to stock up for next school year!
ReplyDeleteI also like to keep a sewing kit available. I teach in a Title 1 school and have kids missing buttons or their button come off. I tell them if they will bring me to clothing item the next day I will sew it back on and in some cases I can do it right there. I also keep extra buttons available.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the other tool list.