My Must Haves for My Preschool Classroom

Well, it is that time of year again! Preschool is right around the corner! The new school year always excites me! I LOVE opening up boxes of supplies before school starts! It is like Christmas! I always forget some of the things that I request and am excited to see them! I wanted to share with you some of my favorite classroom essentials! Click on the item name to link you to where you can purchase them.

Art Trays

I seriously use these EVERY SINGLE DAY in school. 

I used to have round tables and I would place art supplies for Table Time or art projects on the trays and it helps keep the mess contained. Clean up is simply taking the trays off the table and then you can put supplies away later, but the tables are ready for use again right away. 

I also use these when we are doing messy projects like liquid watercolor. Each kiddo gets one and when they are finished, they can slide the whole tray in the drying rack. Easy, contained mess. They make great portable centers as well. 

Glue Jars

This is probably my all time favorite find. Glue jars with brushes. While I think students should be exposed and taught how to use glue bottles, these are great for my age group (3-4). They are able to use them independently and I don't have an issue with them using too much glue. I use these every day as well. I can't imagine my classroom without them. You can also put paint in them. Stock up! 

Craft Cups

Before having these in my classroom, I would collect baby food containers, cupcake liners, basically anything that I could toss to put craft items in for crafts, projects, centers, etc. 

These are sturdy disposable cups that can hold glue or paint as well as buttons, pompoms, rice, etc. They make your life easier. No rinsing out a million paint cups. Each kiddo can have their own. 

I order several hundred a year. LOVE them!

Watercolor Paper

This thick, textured paper is a little pricey, but totally worth it. It makes water color projects vibrant  and less messy. Check out those colors! 

Mavelus Tape

Best. Tape. Ever. It does not pull the paint off the wall, yet it sticks to everything. Trust me... buy tons of this tape!

Leave a comment and let me know what your favorite classroom essentials are! I love to try out new products! 

Preschool: "My Favorites" Project

During the first month of preschool, we focus on learning about and appreciating our differences and uniqueness. We learn about ourselves, our friends, our families. As a "getting to know you" project, I send this take home project home with my students. When they come back completed, we spend the last 10 minutes of the day allowing students to present their project to the class until everyone has taken their turn. This is a great way for the class to get to know each other and a great bonding experience while they work on the project at home with family members.

Provide each child with a paper cut out of a person. I included t-shirts as well. Instructions were included to decorate the cut out with the child's favorite things.

Here are some of the projects from last year.  I love how unique each one is. Just like each child!

Mike Wozokswi Popcorn: A Monster's University Snack

Super easy! Super yummy! Super fun!

Pop a bag of popcorn and let cool in a large bowl. Mean while, melt some white chocolate in the microwave on 50% power. I start with intervals of 45 seconds and stir in between. When completely melted and smooth, add some green food coloring. I used lime green gel, but any will work.  I added a little cinnamon at this point too. Just a few dashes. Stir to make your chocolate green! Then drizzle over popcorn and stir to coat. Dump out on wax paper and let cool and dry for about 5 minutes. Throw in an apple Juicy Juice Mike Wozowski style and you have got a perfectly fun snack! 

Patriotic Pasta

Want a super easy, super fun 4th of July lunch? Try this Patriotic Pasta!

Put on two pots of water and bring to a boil. Add red food coloring to the water in one pot and blue to the water in the other.  I used a very generous amount in each pot. Add the noodles and cook as usual. Check noodles several times and add more color if needed. You can use regular food color or gel colors, both work great, but gel always gives a more vibrant look! Drain, butter and serve! So simple! 

Firecracker Popcorn

Firecracker Popcorn for Independence Day! 

1 Bag of popcorn, popped

1/2 stick of butter or margarine

1/4 cup white sugar

1/3 cup of light corn syrup

red and blue food color ( I used gel)

( You can add a little vanilla, cinnamon or salt if you want)

Melt butter over medium heat, add sugar and corn syrup. Stir to combine, turn up heat a little to bring to a boil. Let boil for 1-2 minutes, rapidly. Put a little red food coloring in one bowl and a little red in a different one. Mix half of the syrupy mixture into the red color and half into the blue. Stir to combine. Place popcorn in a large bowl and spoon red mixture overtop. Stir to coat. Then repeat with the blue.  Enjoy! :)