Welcome to the Top Notch Teaching Resources section, a curated list of the teaching resources and tools I recommend for creating your dream classroom.
Whether you’re a classroom teacher, specialist teacher, teacherpreneur, homeschooler, or parent, this categorized list will provide you with all your classroom essentials, plus a few fun extras to help make your life that little bit easier.
Before digging into these excellent resources that I know and trust, I would like to make an important disclosure:
Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please understand that I have worked hard to recommend items that are high-quality, useful, and are reasonably priced, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something.
Art & Craft
15-Drawer Organizer Cart
There are so many uses for this organizing cart – store paper and other essential supplies. The wheels make it super easy to move around the classroom.
Classroom Caddy
These colorful caddies are great for all sorts of storage needs. They can house stationery items, art supplies, and more. They are bright and easy to clean.
Construction Paper
This paper is perfect for all sorts of art projects. There are ten assorted colors in the pack — ideal for cutting, pasting, doodling, and folding.
15-Drawer Organizer Cart
There are so many uses for this organizing cart – store paper and other essential supplies. The wheels make it super easy to move around the classroom.
Classroom Caddy
These colorful caddies are great for all sorts of storage needs. They can house stationery items, art supplies, and more. They are bright and easy to clean.
Construction Paper
This paper is perfect for all sorts of art projects. There are ten assorted colors in the pack — ideal for cutting, pasting, doodling, and folding.
Crafts Supplies Mega Pack
I love this complete arts and craft assortment kit. Let your kids’ imagination go wild with the different pipe cleaners, pom poms, googly eyes, and more.
Electric Pencil Sharpener
This heavy-duty electric pencil sharpener is a must-have item for every classroom and is ideal for bulk sharpening. You’ll love the size of the shavings bin.
Watercolor Paint
Most kids love painting, and this bundle of 13 colors will be perfect for all of your classroom projects. The colors are vibrant, and the paint is washable.
Crafts Supplies Mega Pack
I love this complete arts and craft assortment kit. Let your kids’ imagination go wild with the different pipe cleaners, pom poms, googly eyes, and more.
Electric Pencil Sharpener
This heavy-duty electric pencil sharpener is a must-have item for every classroom and is ideal for bulk sharpening. You’ll love the size of the shavings bin.
Watercolor Paint
Most kids love painting, and this bundle of 13 colors will be perfect for all of your classroom projects. The colors are vibrant, and the paint is washable.
Health & PE
Flat Hoops
You can never go wrong with hula hoops in the class. They come in handy for games, quick movement activities, obstacle courses, and agility drills.
Obstacle Course Set
I love setting up an obstacle course for early morning fitness. This set includes all the bits and pieces you’ll need to create a fun and challenging course.
Parachute
Kids love using the giant parachute, and there are so many creative ways it can be used, from cooperative games to teamwork and even to sit on.
Flat Hoops
You can never go wrong with hula hoops in the class. They come in handy for games, quick movement activities, obstacle courses, and agility drills.
Obstacle Course Set
I love setting up an obstacle course for early morning fitness. This set includes all the bits and pieces you’ll need to create a fun and challenging course.
Parachute
Kids love using the giant parachute, and there are so many creative ways it can be used, from cooperative games to teamwork and even to sit on.
Literacy
Complete Phonic Handbook
I have had this book since I first became a teacher. I love the colored lists sorted by phonic patterns. You will find yourself referring to it often.
Early Reading Instruction
This book will help you understand the science of teaching reading. McGuinness argues that phonics methods are shown to be superior. A must-read!
Equipped for Reading Success
This book will be an absolute game-changer for you. It provides a step-by-step phonemic awareness program and many hands-on and easy to implement strategies.
Complete Phonic Handbook
I have had this book since I first became a teacher. I love the colored lists sorted by phonic patterns. You will find yourself referring to it often.
Early Reading Instruction
This book will help you understand the science of teaching reading. McGuinness argues that phonics methods are shown to be superior. A must-read!
Equipped for Reading Success
This book will be an absolute game-changer for you. It provides a step-by-step phonemic awareness program and many hands-on and easy to implement strategies.
Jumpstart Grammar
This book is an essential guide of multi-sensory games and activities that will jumpstart students’ understanding of grammar. So many amazing ideas!
Jumpstart Literacy
This is another fab book by Pie Corbett. It includes fun, multi-sensory games, and creative lesson starters that will stimulate your students’ imagination.
Silly Sentences
This is such a fun game to get kids thinking about all the parts that make up sentences. Students use puzzle pieces to construct silly sentences.
Jumpstart Grammar
This book is an essential guide of multi-sensory games and activities that will jumpstart students’ understanding of grammar. So many amazing ideas!
Jumpstart Literacy
This is another fab book by Pie Corbett. It includes fun, multi-sensory games, and creative lesson starters that will stimulate your students’ imagination.
Silly Sentences
This is such a fun game to get kids thinking about all the parts that make up sentences. Students use puzzle pieces to construct silly sentences.
Sounds-Write Activity Book
I am a massive advocate of the Sounds-Write program. This book is primarily for parents and is suitable for beginning readers. It has easy to follow instructions.
Sounds-Write Games And Activities
The activities and games in this book can be used whole class, in small groups and one-to-one settings, as well as for homework or homeschooling.
Sounds-Write Phonics Stories
Decodable stories are a must for beginning readers. This set of 14 engaging kindle books is the perfect accompaniment to the parent activity book.
Sounds-Write Activity Book
I am a massive advocate of the Sounds-Write program. This book is primarily for parents and is suitable for beginning readers. It has easy to follow instructions.
Sounds-Write Games And Activities
The activities and games in this book can be used whole class, in small groups and one-to-one settings, as well as for homework or homeschooling.
Sounds-Write Phonics Stories
Decodable stories are a must for beginning readers. This set of 14 engaging kindle books is the perfect accompaniment to the parent activity book.
Talk For Writing Early Years
I am a big fan of the Talk for Writing approach to teach writing. This book is primarily for developing storytelling for kids in the early years.
Talk For Writing Non-Fiction
This book helps children speak the language of non-fiction in a fun, engaging way before they attempt to write. Included are lots of fun activities and examples.
Why Our Children Can’t Read
This book is another gem by Mcguinness. It tackles the reading systems used in schools and refers to extensive research. It’s worth taking the time to read.
Talk For Writing Early Years
I am a big fan of the Talk for Writing approach to teach writing. This book is primarily for developing storytelling for kids in the early years.
Talk For Writing Non-Fiction
This book helps children speak the language of non-fiction in a fun, engaging way before they attempt to write. Included are lots of fun activities and examples.
Why Our Children Can’t Read
This book is another gem by Mcguinness. It tackles the reading systems used in schools and refers to extensive research. It’s worth taking the time to read.
Management
101 Great Classroom Games
Games can sometimes be loud and noisy; that’s why I love the noise level indicator for each game in this book. It makes it easy to find and pick a quiet game.
Answer Buzzers
Answer buzzers are great for when you’re playing games in the class, debates, and competitions. They come in 4 assorted colors that all have different sounds.
Classroom Games To Energize
The games in this book work well as starter activities, for the middle part of a lesson, transitions, or to re-energize kids when you see them tuning out.
101 Great Classroom Games
Games can sometimes be loud and noisy; that’s why I love the noise level indicator for each game in this book. It makes it easy to find and pick a quiet game.
Answer Buzzers
Answer buzzers are great for when you’re playing games in the class, debates, and competitions. They come in 4 assorted colors that all have different sounds.
Classroom Games To Energize
The games in this book work well as starter activities, for the middle part of a lesson, transitions, or to re-energize kids when you see them tuning out.
File Folder Pocket Chart
This file folder pocket chart helps keep things organized. You can arrange it by subject or student name. It’s so cute, versatile, and functional.
Inspirational Kindness Deck
A little positive affirmation goes a long way. How about an inspirational kindness deck to use in the classroom? Perfect little notes to pass to students.
Quick Movement Activities
For quick selection, the energizers in this book are labeled by grade level. They also include variations and suggestions to help adapt them for other grades.
File Folder Pocket Chart
This file folder pocket chart helps keep things organized. You can arrange it by subject or student name. It’s so cute, versatile, and functional.
Inspirational Kindness Deck
A little positive affirmation goes a long way. How about an inspirational kindness deck to use in the classroom? Perfect little notes to pass to students.
Quick Movement Activities
For quick selection, the energizers in this book are labeled by grade level. They also include variations and suggestions to help adapt them for other grades.
Woodstock Chimes
Teachers need to gain students’ attention before talking or beginning a transition between activities, and this percussion chime is a pleasant way to do it.
Woodstock Chimes
Teachers need to gain students’ attention before talking or beginning a transition between activities, and this percussion chime is a pleasant way to do it.
Math
100 Days Of Cool
Do you celebrate the 100th day of school in your class? The teacher in the book challenges her students to come up with 100 days of cool and interesting ideas.
Clear Color Counters
Counters come in handy for so many different activities. These colorful transparent counting chips are fab to use for counting, sorting, and a game of bingo.
Counting On Frank
Kids love asking us all sorts of questions, and sometimes we don’t know the answers. In this book, Henry and his dog answer lots of mathematical problems.
100 Days Of Cool
Do you celebrate the 100th day of school in your class? The teacher in the book challenges her students to come up with 100 days of cool and interesting ideas.
Clear Color Counters
Counters come in handy for so many different activities. These colorful transparent counting chips are fab to use for counting, sorting, and a game of bingo.
Counting On Frank
Kids love asking us all sorts of questions, and sometimes we don’t know the answers. In this book, Henry and his dog answer lots of mathematical problems.
Each Orange Had 8 Slices
This is a fantastic book to help kids with the skills of problem solving and multiplication. Each page includes a story and then questions about the story.
Five Little Monkeys
In this book, five little monkeys go shopping with their mama. But, what happens when some of the monkeys go wandering off and when some friends arrive?
Mouse Shapes
In this book, three mice learn about shapes, creativity, and cooperation. The mice run away from a cat and find themselves amongst some colorful shapes.
Each Orange Had 8 Slices
This is a fantastic book to help kids with the skills of problem solving and multiplication. Each page includes a story and then questions about the story.
Five Little Monkeys
In this book, five little monkeys go shopping with their mama. But, what happens when some of the monkeys go wandering off and when some friends arrive?
Mouse Shapes
In this book, three mice learn about shapes, creativity, and cooperation. The mice run away from a cat and find themselves amongst some colorful shapes.
My Even Day
My Even Day is the sequel to One Odd Day. Again, the boy wakes up to now find that all things around him are even. His mother also has two heads!
One Odd Day
This book is a fantastic introduction to counting and odd numbers. A boy wakes up to find that everything around him is now odd – his shirt has three sleeves!
Spaghetti And Meatballs
I’ve used this book a few times when teaching area and perimeter. It helps students begin to understand these concepts better by using a real-world context.
My Even Day
My Even Day is the sequel to One Odd Day. Again, the boy wakes up to now find that all things around him are even. His mother also has two heads!
One Odd Day
This book is a fantastic introduction to counting and odd numbers. A boy wakes up to find that everything around him is now odd – his shirt has three sleeves!
Spaghetti And Meatballs
I’ve used this book a few times when teaching area and perimeter. It helps students begin to understand these concepts better by using a real-world context.
The Doorbell Rang
In this book, Ma made some delicious cookies for her children to share. The children need to work out how to share cookies with all the new friends.
Uno’s Garden
In this book, Uno visits the forest and finds many fascinating plants and animals. Multiplication is used to track the number of plants and animals.
The Doorbell Rang
In this book, Ma made some delicious cookies for her children to share. The children need to work out how to share cookies with all the new friends.
Uno’s Garden
In this book, Uno visits the forest and finds many fascinating plants and animals. Multiplication is used to track the number of plants and animals.
Planning
Erin Condren Planner
It’s time to look ahead to the new year. How about a planner? I’m a huge fan of the Erin Condren teacher planner? You can choose from so many colorful designs.
Understanding How We Learn
This book is a practical guide on how we learn. It’s both fascinating and entertaining and helps simplify complex concepts with engaging illustrations.
The Bullet Journal Method
As a teacher, being organized is a must. I don’t use the bullet journal method verbatim, but I have taken the parts that have helped streamline my processes.
Erin Condren Planner
It’s time to look ahead to the new year. How about a planner? I’m a huge fan of the Erin Condren teacher planner? You can choose from so many colorful designs.
Understanding How We Learn
This book is a practical guide on how we learn. It’s both fascinating and entertaining and helps simplify complex concepts with engaging illustrations.
The Bullet Journal Method
As a teacher, being organized is a must. I don’t use the bullet journal method verbatim, but I have taken the parts that have helped streamline my processes.
Science
Jumbo Magnifiers
We often get kids observing things in the environment. These colorful giant magnifiers are versatile and can be used inside and outside the classroom.
Magnetic Blocks
We love these magnetic building blocks that provide endless hours of building fun. Your students will use their imagination to create cool 3D sculptures.
Measuring Set
A measuring set is useful for both math and science. This set includes plastic jugs, jars, spoons, and cups.
Jumbo Magnifiers
We often get kids observing things in the environment. These colorful giant magnifiers are versatile and can be used inside and outside the classroom.
Magnetic Blocks
We love these magnetic building blocks that provide endless hours of building fun. Your students will use their imagination to create cool 3D sculptures.
Measuring Set
A measuring set is useful for both math and science. This set includes plastic jugs, jars, spoons, and cups.
Solar System Kit
One of my favorite science areas to teach is space and the solar system. There are many solar system kits that you can build; this is just one type.
Straw Constructor
These straws and connectors promote hand-eye coordination and inspire creativity. There are so many fun and engaging ways to use these.
Super Magnet Kit
Kids love playing with magnets, and this set is an excellent introduction to the concept of attracting and repelling. They’ll enjoy exploring all the pieces.
Solar System Kit
One of my favorite science areas to teach is space and the solar system. There are many solar system kits that you can build; this is just one type.
Straw Constructor
These straws and connectors promote hand-eye coordination and inspire creativity. There are so many fun and engaging ways to use these.
Super Magnet Kit
Kids love playing with magnets, and this set is an excellent introduction to the concept of attracting and repelling. They’ll enjoy exploring all the pieces.
Stationery
Chalkboard Labels
A lot of things get labeled in the classroom. These chalkboard labels are cute and would surely come in handy to help you find what you need quickly.
Colorful Self-Inking Stamps
Here are some fun self-inking teacher stamps that would make a fab gift idea. As a teacher, I don’t think you can have too many cute stickers and stamps!
Dry Erase Boards
Mini whiteboards are one of the classroom tools I use regularly. I use them frequently in spelling games, and they can come in handy for math too!
Chalkboard Labels
A lot of things get labeled in the classroom. These chalkboard labels are cute and would surely come in handy to help you find what you need quickly.
Colorful Self-Inking Stamps
Here are some fun self-inking teacher stamps that would make a fab gift idea. As a teacher, I don’t think you can have too many cute stickers and stamps!
Dry Erase Boards
Mini whiteboards are one of the classroom tools I use regularly. I use them frequently in spelling games, and they can come in handy for math too!
Dry Erase Clipboards
These dry erase clipboards do double duty as mini erase boards and clipboards for when you are working outside the classroom or students are not at a desk.
Dry Erase Markers
What did we do before dry erase markers? They do get used up, so a fresh set (and maybe a second color of dry erase markers) will always be handy.
Dry Erase Pockets
To make materials like worksheets and game boards reusable, I use dry erase pockets. Students can mark on them with dry-erase markers; then, they wipe clean.
Dry Erase Clipboards
These dry erase clipboards do double duty as mini erase boards and clipboards for when you are working outside the classroom or students are not at a desk.
Dry Erase Markers
What did we do before dry erase markers? They do get used up, so a fresh set (and maybe a second color of dry erase markers) will always be handy.
Dry Erase Pockets
To make materials like worksheets and game boards reusable, I use dry erase pockets. Students can mark on them with dry-erase markers; then, they wipe clean.
Jumbo Tote
Most teachers, I know, carry a lot of stuff back and forth to school. Sturdy totes, like this large ‘Yes I Teach bag,’ are super practical and look great!
Label Maker
Labels help kids find things — and know where to put them back. I recommend ordering batteries and some extra labeling tape, so you are covered for a while.
Post-it Note Dispenser
I use Post-its all the time, and I know I’m not the only teacher who does. Check out how cute this post-it pop-up notes dispenser is.
Jumbo Tote
Most teachers, I know, carry a lot of stuff back and forth to school. Sturdy totes, like this large ‘Yes I Teach bag,’ are super practical and look great!
Label Maker
Labels help kids find things — and know where to put them back. I recommend ordering batteries and some extra labeling tape, so you are covered for a while.
Post-it Note Dispenser
I use Post-its all the time, and I know I’m not the only teacher who does. Check out how cute this post-it pop-up notes dispenser is.
Teacher Journal
Do you like journaling? Try this teacher’s journal that includes prompts on every page. This journal would also make a fab gift for your teacher bestie.
Teacher Survival Kit
Help keep the little stuff organized with this Teacher Survival Kit pouch. Fill it with things like lip balm, hand sanitizer, fun pens, and binder clips.
Teacher Travel Mug
A travel mug that keeps your coffee or tea hot is invaluable as it might sit there most of the day. I love the Best Teacher Ever travel mug with lid and straw.
Teacher Journal
Do you like journaling? Try this teacher’s journal that includes prompts on every page. This journal would also make a fab gift for your teacher bestie.
Teacher Survival Kit
Help keep the little stuff organized with this Teacher Survival Kit pouch. Fill it with things like lip balm, hand sanitizer, fun pens, and binder clips.
Teacher Travel Mug
A travel mug that keeps your coffee or tea hot is invaluable as it might sit there most of the day. I love the Best Teacher Ever travel mug with lid and straw.