It’s Amazon Prime Time!
This is that one time of the year… Who am I kidding, we all love to shop on Amazon year round. Prime Time (a.k.a. Amazon Prime Day) is an exciting time to get great prices on many of the teacher goodies that we absolutely love to buy and use.
I listed a few teacher faves that you might want to be on the look out for during Prime Day on July 15th and 16th. I don’t know if/that they will be on sale or discounted, these are just my recommendations for items that you may love to have. Consider this your quick, go-to, shopping list.
Just Sharing
This blog post features links to Amazon products. The links are my Affiliate Links. You will not be charged any additional fees for purchasing an item via my link. I will receive a compensation from the Amazon Affiliate program from your purchase. Now, let’s get down to the goodies!
Here are my top 20 teacher buys! They are in no particular order.
# 1 Epic Pencil Sharpener
I own this pencil sharpener. Correction, I LOVE this pencil sharpener! This was a Prime purchase about two years ago, and dare I say that I nearly came to tears when I ordered. The full story slips my mind, but I believe that someone was raving about it. I accidentally stumbled upon this on sale during Amazon Prime Day and pounced on it! (There are no true accidents. Things happen for a reason for our good.) No regrets. This sharpener is the bomb dot com! Side note: My students are not allowed to touch this pencil sharpener. It’s MINE! ha aha
X-Acto Electric Pencil Sharpener
# 2 Portable Laminator
I don’t know how teachers pre-portable laminators made it in the world of teaching! My laminator is everything. My next step is to buy a second one so that I can leave it IN the classroom instead of toting mine back and forth.
# 3 HP Insta Ink Printer
You will likely wonder how you ever existed without Insta Ink once you get the hang of it. No more driving to Target or Wal-Mart at 8:00 at night- right before they close- to get ink. Not another moment where you only need more yellow ink, but nothing will print until you replace that one color.
With Insta Ink you will have to pay a monthly fee (very small considering the actual cost of ink cartridges from the store) for ink services and you may be limited on how many pages you print. All of this depends on what level of service you select, so you can choose the plan that best suits your needs. The kicker is that the ink levels are monitored by HP and when you need more ink (BEFORE it ever runs out), it magically appears at your front door. I think that you will love it!!
HP Envy 5055 Wireless All in One Printer with Insta Ink
# 4 Stools for Reading/Math Table
I don’t own these stools yet, but I always get so excited when I see them in other teacher’s classrooms. They are so cute and I really love the bright colors. Kids seem to really enjoy sitting on them. I always wonder about the lack of back support. Perhaps that is only an issue for the 40 and fab club! LOL
Multicolored stools for your reading/math group and kidney table
# 5 Yeti Tumbler
Hydration is a must, my friends! We all get parched after doing so much talking and moving around. This is the perfect reminder to get our water in! Bonus: This awesome tumbler comes in a variety of colors. Take your pick!
# 6 Teacher Writing Faves
Let’s be honest this category doesn’t need any explanations. We love them all!
Paper Mate Flair Pens
Paper Mate Mechanical #2 Pencils
# 7 Echo Dot
This seems likes such a fun and helpful addition to the classroom. “Alexa, what year was Michelle Obama born”? I’ll have to tell you, though, with the recent news reports on Alexa being able to consistently hear and record conversations, you may want to monitor how long/if you leave the microphone on and accessible.
# 8 Light Touch Circles
These would be a great way to indicate voice levels or options/choices for activities.
Touch Light Wireless Tap Lights– 4 pack, color changing LED lights
Rechargeable LED Puck Lights– This set only features 3 lights, but they come in pink, blue, and white casings AND have a magnetic back option. They were too cute not to share!
# 9 Standing Work Desk
I have been finding myself standing and working on the computer more and more. It usually happens in the kitchen when I am cooking and trying to multi-task. Truly, I am super productive in those moments. I’m focused and in the zone when I’m standing. A standing desk is on my wish list! It’s an investment, but one that I think is well worth it.
These options are standing desks that you place on a desktop:
Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk Converter WorkStation
Standing Desk Converter in white
Standing Desk Converter in black
# 10 Additional Cell Phone Charger
I have to tell you, I don’t know what happens inside of my classroom. But, my cell phone battery is usually on red well before the end of the school day. I actually carry my cell phone charger in my purse every single day. I have an extra long charger cord (which I absolutely love), but it is bulky. So, I have been eyeing either a desk-top charger, or buying an extra cord to leave inside of my desk.
iOttie iOn Wireless iPhone Charger
Moozo Bamboo Desktop Charging Dock Station
# 11 Mauvelous Tape
This tape is life-changing!! I have been purchasing it from my local teacher resource supply store for the past few years. IT WORKS ON CONCRETE! My biggest problem, and likely yours, too, was getting masking tape to stick and stay. I have found that this tape sticks and my papers and charts stay on the wall.
# 12 Post-It Notes Super Sticky Chart Paper
I saw these chart papers in action this summer during a writing workshop. They are fabulous! This stick on their own- no magnets needed. They can be more expensive, but would be great for your really special anchor charts.
Post-It Super Sticky Easel Pads
# 13 Mr. Sketch Markers
Do I really have to sell you on these? LOL. Simply, we love the way that they smell. It just takes me to a happy place to use them. Plus, when you pull these out to write on your chart paper, the kids will go crazy for them. They will run to your writing and grammar lessons!
Washable, chisel tip, set of 14 scented markers
36 Count Mr. Sketch Class Pack
# 14 Astrobrights Paper
Astrobrights paper just makes everything pop. It’s perfect for pamphlets, flyers, newsletters, Meet the Teacher packets, and all the things.
“Charisma” 10-Color Assortment, 200 sheets
# 15 Colored Pencil Sharpener
If you are like me, you throw away perfectly great colored pencils once they get low. Why? Because there is no way (that I know of. If you have a great trick that works, please share) to sharpen them without ruining your regular pencil sharpener or without simply grinding down the colored pencils because they won’t sharpen.
Smartro Electric Pencil Sharpener
# 16 Crayon Sharpener
I have always wanted a way to sharpen crayons instead of throwing them away. Now, we have a way to extend the life of our fabulous Crayola Crayons! Yippee!!
Elmer’s CrayonPro Electric Crayon Sharpener
# 17 Dry Erase Pockets/Plastic Sleeves
These are life changing! Instead of printing out 20-30 copies of every activity when you really don’t need to, you can print 5-6 copies and insert them inside of these sleeves. Students can then write on the sleeve, show you their work, and then erase it for the next student or the next activity.
30-Count Dry Erase Sleeves/Pockets
# 18 Dry Erase Clipboards
Two classroom must-haves wrapped into one! These are a win-win.
# 19 Flexible Seating/Flexible Classrooms
I don’t have much flexible seating in my classroom, but one of my teammates had these in her classroom this year and her kids loved them. It reminds me of a car seat for a baby; which may be why kids love them. They seem cozy and they are very portable.
Scoops Rocker 6 pack
These are perfect for those students that need a way to keep their bodies moving so that they can focus and process information. Honestly, these would be great for all of us while we are sitting in faculty meetings!
# 20 Teacher Planner
This choice is a given. Right? There are sooo many planners to choose from. You can find beautiful planners from a variety of stores and there are many brands to choose from. I shared a few planners that my teacher friends rave about.
This is my personal planner for this upcoming school year. The cover drew me in. If you know me well, you can likely guess the reason why I loved this cover so much. (If you aren’t sure, I love cultural diversity, and to me, representation matters. It’s such a joy to see “myself” reflected in this cover image!)
This brand of planner isn’t listed on Amazon. Jose’ Cortez is a fellow teacher and I am more than happy to support his company! His planners are more than beautiful, they are functional. As a fellow (and former) educator, Jose’ knows what teachers need. Check them out! You may love them, too.
# Bonus: Something Special Just For You
This should probably have been first on this list! Buy something special just for yourself. Anything that you want! You don’t need to spend a lot of money. Just a little something that is just for you- not your students or your own kids. If it’s a new lipgloss, a new Rae Dunn mug, a fishing pole- whatever it is, do it just for you!
We are high vibin’ and thrivin’!
Okay, I have two extra items that you might love to grab for yourself. I didn’t list them above because I would have to go back and change the title and all of the graphics.
You can turn your Smart TV into a one-stop watching zone. With your Roku, you can watch YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Videos, and more from your television set. You will barely have to move!
Crock-Pot Lunch Crock Food Warmer
My daughter has been wanting one of these for awhile. When the fall weather hits and you get a taste for soup, this would be a great way to warm it up/keep it warm in your classroom (or any other hot meal). Just think, you won’t have to wait in line for the microwave at the Teacher’s Lounge!
I am wishing each of you the best time shopping, or just looking, during Amazon’s Prime Days on July 15th-16th! We can only hope that we don’t crash the Internet again this year.
If you are looking for a few book suggestions to add to your culturally responsive classroom and to get more boys motivated to read click on the links.
If there is something that you think she be added to this list, please leave it in the comments!
Tania
