13 Budget Friendly First Year Teacher Needs: High School Science Edition

June 21, 2023

Are you googling first-year teacher needs? Are you a high school science teacher? Start the year off right without breaking the bank! With the right budget-friendly gear, you can be well-prepared for anything the classroom throws at you. In this blog post, I’m sharing 13 essential budget-friendly needs for the first-year high school science teacher which are practical classroom supplies. Each item is guaranteed to make teaching more manageable and effective, without stretching your wallet to its limit. So sit back, relax, and get ready to stock up on everything you need – without overspending!

13 First Year Teacher Needs

ONE || Lesson planning materials: Planner, notebook, or digital tools for organizing and planning lessons. I suggest finding a system that works for you. I always start off with writing things on paper first and transferring them to a digital copy in Google.

TWO || Classroom decorations: Posters, bulletin board materials, and borders to create an inviting learning environment. We went our classrooms to be a rich, inviting place that is welcoming. Give it some love.

THREE || Basic school supplies: Pens, pencils, markers, highlighters, scissors, glue sticks, tape, etc. Most of these should be provided trough your school or county, but if you find yourself wanting additional items, you may need to purchase your own.

FOUR || Whiteboard or chalkboard supplies: Dry erase markers, chalk, erasers, and cleaning supplies.

FIVE || Storage solutions: Bins, shelves, or storage carts to keep classroom materials organized. I am a super organizer and love all the bins, crate, and labeling! Stock up on some organizers to get organized from the get go.

SIX || Classroom technology: Computer/laptop, projector, document camera, and speakers for multimedia presentations.

SEVEN || Classroom management tools: Behavior charts, timers, and other resources to establish and maintain a positive classroom environment. I personally do not use behavior charts, but I do love a good YouTube timer. This helps me and my students stay on track and its FREE!

EIGHT || Classroom supplies for students: Extra pencils, erasers, paper, and other materials that students may need.

NINE || Science materials: Safety goggles, lab equipment, magnifying glasses, and other materials for hands-on experiments.These should also be provided by the school or county budget specially for science classes.

TEN || Classroom cleaning supplies: Disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, tissues, and paper towels for maintaining cleanliness. Oftentimes, this is one thing we are forced to buy on our own. I always stock up to keep my classroom sanitary.

ELEVEN || Post-it notes and flair pens: Useful for reminders, quick notes, and keeping things organized. I am a sucker for post-its and flair pens…is it just me?

TWELEVE || Laminator and laminating sheets: To preserve and protect important classroom materials. This is one of my most favorite purchases that I continue to get so much use out of each year.

THIRTEEN || Classroom rewards and incentives: Stickers, small prizes, candy to encourage positive behavior. Because believe it or not, high schoolers still dig this stuff.

As a first year high school science teacher, setting up your classroom can be a daunting task on a tight budget. With the right planning and preparation, however, you can find the right balance between staying within budget and providing your students with the materials they need to excel in the class. The key is to remember that budget friendly does not necessarily mean quality compromised. With this in mind, you are sure to accomplish great things in the classroom and beyond.

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