I was offered a pre k job. The school is expanding and are adding an additional classroom. It was a sudden addition and they dont have any materials for me. They want me to come up with a list and they will see what they can do for me on that list. I have a list going, but I need to know from you, what are the materials I NEED to have, and what would be nice but could do without if I had to? Please help me with this list!
I'm not a preK teacher but off the top of my head...
tables/chairs/shelves a rug for meetings books for read alouds and a classroom library dramatic play/kitchen area furniture manipulatives/Legos/beads/puzzles/blocks art supplies (construction paper, scissors, glue, etc.) water table/sand table computer
I taught public Pre-K for 12 years. I would suggest:
Items for a housekeeping/dramatic play center
blocks in different colors, sizes and shapes
Duplos
Lots of puzzles
Lots of picture books
Scrap materials for an art center - you can get a lot of these as donations from parents, such as buttons, material, yarn, paper plates, etc.
Crayons, scissors and glue sticks
Different types of paper
Paint, Tempa, finger and water colors
Play dough or clay
Math manipulatives, like cubes and unifix cubes
Magnets
Calendar kit
Playground toys such as jump ropes and balls
Lots of music and movement CDS, Dr. Jean, Greg and Steve, etc.
CD player
Rhythm instruments
The following would be nice to have once you have the above:
Little cars and trucks
Lincoln Logs
Doctor kit
Dress up clothes (unless head lice is a concern at your school)
Magnetic blocks
Supplies for cooking in the classroom
I'm sure I'll think of others. I add them as I think of them.
Must haves: blocks: all sorts-large wooden, small cubes, Legos, bristle blocks, alphabet blocks, etc... puzzles: I love the Melissa & Doug wooden puzzles. I'd get some simple puzzles with pegs as well as some more challenging, with more and smaller pieces. felt board and felt pieces: you could make a felt board but if you can have one purchased for you, I'd strongly recommend it as it will last longer and be more sturdy. dramatic play items: pretend kitchen (with dishes, pretend food), baby dolls,blankets, puppets, dress-up clothes, large and small plastic animals (you could also have plush if you have easy access to a washing machine/dryer), doll house with little people families, furniture and trucks and cars. Oh! The potato heads are good too-Mr./ Mrs. and the spuds. art: water colors, tempera paints, finger paint, collage' materials (self-adhesive foam pieces, tissue paper, foil, etc) child-size scissors, wiggly eyes, yarn, ribbon, buttons, colored beads, alphabet cookie cutters (for dough and to paint with) glue sticks, school glue, craft sticks, brown lunch paper bags,(puppets) pipe cleaners, crayons, markers, colored pencils, and paper of course. Be sure to have waterproof art smocks! sensory: a sensory table is a definite must! If you are on a tight budget at least get large plastic tubs to put on a table. Make sure you have little shovels, strainers, scoops, water toys, little boats and funnels of all sizes. Rice, sand, beans, and cornmeal are good in addition to or besides water. Play dough tools like little rolling pins, cutters, and scissors. Cans of shaving cream... items to have on hand: I like to make home made playdough with the kids so I tend to have bags of flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, vegetable oil, Kool-Aid packets for color at all times. All kinds of noodles (you can color easily with food coloring & alcohol) for the children to string onto yarn or pipe cleaners or for art work. Zip lock bags of all sizes are great for those items that children want to save or left overs. Plastic spoons, and knives are good for snack prep or alternate play dough tools. Extras/nice to have if you can:
If you can get lacing cards purchased, it would be nice. You can always make your own, but it's nice to have super sturdy cards with thick laces. Etch-a-sketches have been a big hit with my guys and it really strengthens their fine motor skills as well. They love view masters and both etch-a-sketches and the view masters are nice for kids that need some solitary time. Magna Doodles. Gears. Color forms. Magic Nuudles(have you heard of these? They are really fun:they are kind of like a styrofoam material, you can dampen them, and create many cool things). Wikki sticks or some people call them Bendaroos.
I'm sure I'm leaving things out, but this should give you a good start. Good luck and congratulations on your new job offer!
start saving milk bottle tops. I used them when we were glueing things. I poured glue in the bottle top, and let them use a paint brush to paint it on the paper. GREAT for small motor coordination!!
I also saved toilet paper rolls, cotton balls, buttons, etc.
I'm not sure if the PP mentioned these but they are a must have. Several different kinds of manipulatives in the clear plastic tubs are great for sorting, counting, quiet activity time, etc. In my room I have the counting bears, links (in two sizes), pop beads, unifex cubes, small 1in. wooden blocks, lacing beads, dominoes, dinosaur counters, fruit counters, bristle blocks, pattern (attribute) blocks...and a few others that I can't think of right off hand.
As for the books some of the must haves are Caps for Sale, Abiyoyo, Drummer Hoff, No David (and all other David books), Goodnight Gorilla, The Little Red Hen, and Where the Wild things are. These were the favorites with my kids last year. You want to have a lot of Big Books too if you can get them.
One of the best things I got a couple years ago were a few sturdy 5 minute sand timers. They are great for clean up or regulating turn taking.
Was there a listening center listed? I saw a CD player. But when I taught Pre-K I had a listening center with CD/tape player and 2 headphone sets with alot of books and tapes/CD.
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08-06-2009, 11:34 AM
tables/chairs/shelves
