The Challenge of Keeping a Teacher Supply Checklist

Ever found yourself halfway through a lesson only to realize you don’t have dry-erase markers? Or maybe it’s the first day of school, and while your students have folders and notebooks, you're missing sticky notes or a pencil sharpener. Yup — we’ve all been there.

Keeping track of classroom supplies seems simple at first… until it’s not.

Why It’s Harder Than It Sounds

On paper, making a supply checklist sounds easy. Pens, pencils, notebooks—done, right? In reality, it’s a juggling act filled with surprises, constantly changing needs, and last-minute additions.

Here’s why:

• School years evolve: What you need in August can be totally different by March. That science project you planned in the fall? Suddenly it requires mason jars and food coloring.

• Different classes, different needs: Teaching elementary art versus high school biology? Totally different ballgame.

• Restocking gets chaotic: Supplies disappear—like magic. Markers dry out, glue sticks vanish, and scissors migrate to mysterious locations.

• Limited budget = strategic planning: Most teachers work with tight budgets. You can’t just add everything to the cart. You have to prioritize, compare prices, and sometimes get creative (hello, DIY whiteboards).

The Mental Load Is Real

Teachers wear a lot of hats—educator, counselor, nurse, referee, and sometimes personal shopper. Remembering every little supply detail adds weight, especially when:

• Your mind is focused on lesson plans, parent emails, and IEP meetings.

• You’re sorting through receipts and budget limits to track your purchases.

• Colleagues swing by to borrow glue dots (three times a week).

And let’s face it—writing things down on sticky notes or random notebooks? Not the most reliable system.

Real-Life Slip-Ups (We’ve Been There)

Still not convinced it’s tricky? Here are some cringe-worthy, yet totally relatable, moments:

• “I found ten packs of crayons in my closet—after I ordered ten more.”

• “I was all set for a math lesson until I realized… no calculators.”

• “Made slime with 25 kids. Forgot to buy extra paper towels. Rookie mistake.”

Truth is, even the most seasoned teachers fall into these traps. It’s easy to forget something when you’re juggling a million other things.

The Bottom Line

Managing a teacher supply checklist isn’t just about stocking up at the start of the year. It’s about:

1. Staying organized all year long.

2. Being flexible as your class’s needs evolve.

3. Saving time, money, and energy—so you can focus on, you know, teaching.

There’s got to be a better way than relying on memory or chasing paper scraps, right?

Well, spoiler alert: there is. Let’s talk about why having an organized checklist can actually save your sanity. Keep reading.

Why Having an Organized Checklist Matters for Teachers

Ever show up on the first day of school... only to realize you forgot to buy dry-erase markers? Or that your stapler is missing in action? It’s okay—we’ve all been there. Teaching is already a whirlwind. Keeping an organized supply checklist is like giving yourself the ultimate reality-check before chaos begins.

Here’s why having a well-thought-out checklist isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.

Save Time (and Your Sanity)

Every minute counts when you’re a teacher. Between lesson planning, grading, and chasing down lost glue sticks, your hands are full.

An organized checklist:

• Keeps you from overbuying or forgetting basics

• Helps avoid frantic last-minute runs to the store (we’re looking at you, Sunday night before school starts)

• Lets you prep your classroom on autopilot—no guesswork involved

Think of it like having a personal assistant reminding you, “Hey, you're out of sticky notes. Again.”

Stay Within Budget

Budgeting can feel like a cruel joke for teachers. You’ve probably spent your own money on supplies more than once (or...every year). 😅

Having a checklist helps you:

• Prioritize what you actually need vs. what’s just nice to have

• Spot duplicates or unnecessary items before purchasing

• Track how much you’ve spent and what still needs buying

For example, if you clearly see that you have 200 pencils already stashed in your bottom drawer, you can skip that bulk order and grab extra hand sanitizer instead.

Keep Your Classroom Running Smoothly

Ever had a student melt down because the scissors disappeared? Or ten students crowd your desk because none of them have erasers?

A good checklist ensures:

• You have enough supplies for daily routines, group work, and emergencies

• Materials are available where and when you need them

• You can quickly replace missing items without disrupting learning

It also helps you plan for different categories—like classroom setup, student supplies, emergency kits, and seasonal events. No one likes being surprised by Valentine’s Day card shenanigans without construction paper on hand.

Feel More Prepared and Confident

Let’s be real—being a teacher often means juggling about 172 things at once. Having your supplies sorted and your checklist in place?

Instant confidence boost.

You’ll:

• Walk into your classroom feeling in control

• Be ready to roll with the unexpected (missing stapler aside)

• Impress students, parents, and even admin with your Jedi-level organization

Knowing you’ve got your essentials covered frees up mental space for bigger things—like helping kids learn, grow, and maybe even survive group projects.

Bottom line? An organized checklist isn’t just a “nice-to-have” list. It’s your secret weapon to staying ahead of the chaos. In the next section, we’ll explore a super-effective tool that can help you build and manage that checklist with zero stress: Notion. Let’s dive in!

How Notion Simplifies Your Teacher Supply Checklist

Ever sipped your morning coffee, only to realize you forgot to order glue sticks—again? You’re not alone.

Teachers juggle a never-ending to-do list. Between lesson planning, grading, and wrangling glitter-happy second graders, it's easy for supply tracking to fall through the cracks. That’s where Notion steps in and saves the day (and your sanity).

Let’s talk about how this flexible workspace tool can turn your chaotic supply list into a clean, color-coded masterpiece.

Want to skip ahead? You can download the free template here.

Bye-Bye Paper Piles — Hello Digital Brain

Think of Notion as your digital binder—minus the bent tabs and coffee stains.

Instead of flipping through sticky notes and scratch paper, you can create a sleek, all-in-one checklist where everything lives in one place. Whether it’s markers, binders, or the ever-elusive dry-erase erasers, you won't lose track.

Here’s why it works so well:

• ✅ Everything is editable in real time—no more scribbling out or rewriting.

• 📱 It's accessible on your phone, tablet, or computer. Forgot to update the list before heading to the store? Pull it up in the aisle.

• 🔁 Reusable templates save you from starting over each school year. Simply duplicate and tweak.

Imagine walking into your classroom at the start of the semester, Notion open on your iPad, and every item you need already checked or accounted for. That’s peace of mind.

Keep It Organized—Your Way

One of the best parts of Notion? It’s completely customizable.

Whether you're Type A and want your list sorted by subject area, or more go-with-the-flow and prefer a simple “need it/have it” structure—Notion can do both.

You can organize your checklist:

• By category (e.g. Art Supplies, Math Tools, Clean-Up Gear)

• By frequency of use (daily, weekly, monthly)

• By status (Needed, Ordered, Received)

Feel free to spice it up with emojis or color-tags to make it fun. Want a page just for emergency chocolate stash inventory? Why not.

Set Reminders So Nothing Falls Through the Cracks

Let’s face it: remembering to reorder construction paper before the current stack runs out is a skill in itself.

In Notion, you can set reminders or link to calendars so your future self doesn’t suffer. Need to place a bulk order by the 15th? Set a deadline and a popup will give you a nudge.

And if you collaborate with a teaching team or co-teacher? You can share the checklist so everyone stays updated in real time—no more “Hey, did someone already order the laminator sheets?” emails.

Always Evolving With You

Notion grows with you. As your classroom needs change, your checklist can too.

You can:

• Add a “wish list” section for items you'd love to have down the road.

• Move items between lists as your budget changes.

• Reflect on past years’ needs by archiving old checklists.

So whether it’s your first year teaching or your tenth, Notion becomes your digital supply sidekick.

Now that you’ve seen how Notion can streamline your checklist game, let’s walk through exactly how to build your customized list in just a few steps—coming up next.

Steps to Create Your Checklist in Notion

Ever find yourself scribbling last-minute supply lists on sticky notes, random notebooks, or the back of yesterday's lesson plan? You're not alone. Keeping track of all the supplies a teacher needs—from basics like markers to those oddly specific science lab items—can feel like a full-time job. That’s where Notion comes to the rescue.

Let’s walk through how you can create a simple, organized, and totally personal supply checklist in Notion without needing a degree in tech.

Want to skip ahead? You can download the free template here.

Step 1: Start With a New Page

Notion pages are highly customizable. First, open Notion and follow these steps:

1. Click “+ Add a Page” in the sidebar.

2. Give your page a clear name like “Back-To-School Supplies” or “Classroom Stock List.”

3. Choose the "List" or "Table" layout—either works, but tables give you more flexibility later.

💡 Pro Tip: Add an emoji or cover image to make it fun and easy to spot later.

Step 2: Set Up Your Checklist Categories

Think about how you want to organize your supplies. It helps to divide them into categories. Here are some examples:

• Basic Classroom Supplies (pens, scissors, glue sticks)

• Tech Equipment (chargers, headphones, clickers)

• Seasonal or Holiday Items (construction paper, themed decorations)

• Personal Essentials (snacks, hand sanitizer, backup coffee)

To label your categories:

• Create a new property in your list or table called “Category”

• Use this to tag each item so you can filter or group them later

Suddenly, instead of one massive, overwhelming list, you’ve got tidy sections. Your brain will thank you.

Step 3: Add Specific Items (Don’t Hold Back!)

Now’s the fun part—dumping all your teaching supply memory into the list. Be detailed.

• Instead of just writing “Markers,” say “Low-odor dry erase markers (black + color set)”

• Add the quantity you need

• Note if it needs to be replaced monthly, quarterly, or just once a year

Use columns like:

• Item name

• Category

• Quantity

• Purchase status (In stock, Need to buy, Ordered)

• Notes (for things like brand preferences or where to buy)

✅ Example:
Item: “Friction pens”
Category: Personal
Quantity: 3 packs
Status: Need to buy
Notes: Only Pilot brand please (because you’ve learned the hard way that others smudge)

Step 4: Make It Checkable and Trackable

Notion lets you add checkboxes or status fields to keep track of what’s been bought. Super satisfying and easy to update.

• Add a new property called “Purchased” and set it to “Checkbox”

• As you get supplies, just tick them off

• You can even set filters to hide all the checked items if you want a cleaner view

✨ Bonus Tip: Create a “Reorder Soon” filter that shows items with low stock or short lifespans so you can stay ahead.

Step 5: Keep It Alive (Don't Let It Collect Dust)

The best Notion pages are the ones you actually come back to. Pin your list to your dashboard or sidebar so it’s always one click away. Update it on the go:

• Had to borrow a student’s ruler today? Add “extra rulers” to your list.

• Used the last sheet of reward stickers? Time to restock!

Notion syncs across devices, so you can check your list from home, school, or even the aisles of Target.

Before you know it, your checklist becomes less of a chore and more of a classroom sidekick.

Ready to skip Step 1 and cheat a little (we won’t tell)? In the next section, we’ll hook you up with a free, downloadable Notion template—already set up and ready for your magical tweaks. Let’s make your teaching toolkit glow.

Download Your Free Teacher Supply Checklist Template

Ever walked into your classroom the day before school starts and realized… you forgot dry-erase markers? Or maybe you bought 100 glue sticks when you only needed 10? Don’t worry—every teacher’s been there at least once.

How to Download and Start Using It

Ready to stop writing checklists on sticky notes that inevitably get lost? Here’s how to grab the free template:

1. Click the Download Link 👉 Free Resource Manager Template Download

2. Duplicate the Notion template to your workspace by clicking “Duplicate” in the upper right corner.

3. Rename it, customize the categories, and start checking things off.

Seriously, you can be up and running in under five minutes.

What’s Inside the Template?

This isn’t just another printable checklist you’ll lose in your desk drawer. It’s a digital, customizable Notion template designed with real classroom needs in mind.

Here's what comes built-in:

• Essential classroom supplies — markers, scissors, folders, and all the usual suspects.

• Teaching tools — like timers, whiteboards, sticky notes, and tech essentials.

• Student supplies — think notebooks, pencils, erasers, and headphones.

• Nice-to-haves — classroom posters, stickers, and even a Keurig (we know you’ve thought about it).

Everything is categorized, so you won't have to sift through a mess of items. And you can add your own categories—like “For the science lab” or “Drama Club Must-Haves.”

Why You’ll Love This Template

Let’s face it: teaching is already chaotic enough. Between lesson planning and grading, the last thing you want is to forget something crucial like construction paper before an art project.

This template helps you:

• Stay organized and focused

• Avoid buying duplicates or forgetting important items

• Collaborate with your teammates more easily (yep, you can share it!)

Plus, because it’s built in Notion, you can access it from your phone, tablet, or computer—whether you’re shopping at the supply store or reorganizing your shelves during prep week.

Quick Tips to Make the Most of the Template

Want to supercharge your checklist game? Here are a few insider tips:

• Review it every quarter to adjust for new classroom needs.

• Use it for back-to-school, mid-year restocking, or even end-of-year inventory.

• Add checkboxes or tags so you can track what you’ve bought, what’s on order, and what’s still needed.

Teachers who’ve used the template say it’s saved them hours—and prevented a lot of last-minute stress.

Click the Download Link 👉 Free Resource Manager Template Download