Elementary Classroom Materials for Hands-On Nature Investigations

Ask families to collect/donate:

styrofoam egg cartons

baby food jars (or bug boxes)

old socks
bandanas/blindfolds

toothpicks

plastic knives

film canisters

shoe boxes

styrofoam pieces

clean empty cans

cloth scraps

cardboard tubes

plastic containers w/lids

canvas bags or drawstring bags (for collecting)

Pick up at a discount store:
pipe cleaners
index cards

chalk

straight pins

balloons

straws

plastic dishpan

strainer

paper lunch bags

twine

paper or plastic cups

rubber bands

thread

Order from catalog/online:

hand lenses

binoculars

thermometers

clipboards
nets
microscopes
animal print stencils
trowels

Obtain on the trail:
feathers
animal skulls
deer skull, hoof, hair, antlers
native wildlife photos



Print, draw or purchase:
maps of the school grounds, local, national, and world

1. Art Supplies 

   Every Elementary Classroom 

   Should Have on Hand

   
   

   Paper 

   • white drawing paper 

     watercolor paper

     poster board

     construction paper (in a variety of colors)

     cardboard

     tissue paper

     butcher paper

     foam core

     matte board scraps (from a local frame store)

     little canvases (when they are on sale or clearance)

     
     

     HOW TO STORE ALL THIS PAPER

     

   Opt for the cardboard storage boxes (around $30) or go for the gold and get the big wooden storage that includes a slot in the back for poster board ($400). Find the Bird in Hand organizer at School Specialty.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   Painting 

   • washable tempera

     acrylics

     watercolors

     oil paints (pick up on sale or at yardsales)

     finger paints (even for the big kids)

     brushes of all kinds and sizes

     containers for water (glass jars or heavy bowls to prevent spills) 

     egg carton paint mixing containers

     paper plate palettes

     old cotton cloths (or paper towels if you don't care about sustainability)

     newspaper
   • 
     

     HOW TO STORE PAINT SUPPLIES

     A nice deep cabinet with doors works best for storing paint and supplies.

   
   

   
   

   Drawing 

   • pencils

     colored pencils

     crayons

     markers 

     felt tip pens*

     special drawing supplies* (calligraphy pens, lettering pens, double nib markers, etc.)

     

     
     
     

     HOW TO STORE YOUR DRAWING SUPPLIES

     Drawing supplies (except for the specialty ones starred above) should be made available for children to use all day every day. Give each team a caddy of supplies to keep on their table or near their group of desks. Or allow children to keep art boxes in their desks or cubbies. Special drawing supplies can be kept bound in rubber bands in plastic lidded shoe containers in the art cupboard.

     
     

   Craft Supplies

   • large and small scissors

     decorative edge scissors*

     glue sticks 

     Elmer's  glues 

     art & craft glue* (thicker than Elmer's)

     glitter glue* 

     beads

     feathers

     foam shapes

     google eyes

     pompoms

     yarn, string, & ribbon

     modeling clay*

     papier-mache mix*

     
     
     HOW TO STORE YOUR CRAFT SUPPLIES
     

     Put scissors, glue sticks, and Elmer's glue in art supply caddies so children have easy access to them throughout the school day. Basic craft supplies can be stored in labeled containers with lids (wipes containers work great). Stack them on a shelf for easy visibility and access. Starred items should be stored in a cabinet with doors and brought out for specific creative activities and projects. 

     
     

     Other Stuff
   • aluminum foil

     

     wax paper

     plastic wrap

     plastic baggies

     magazines

     old maps

     cotton balls

     cotton swabs

     paper plates

     coffee filters

     clothespins

     glass jars

     clean, recycled plastic containers 

     
     

     HOW TO STORE THE RANDOM STUFF

     Pick up several mesh organizers that can be mounted on a wall or door (about $10 a piece). Store long skinny wrap and baggy boxes in one or two, magazines and old maps in another, paper plates in another. Smaller items can be stored in the good old wipes containers. Glass jars and plastic containers can be boxed and stored out of the way (think up high or in a school storage area) for when they are needed.

Helpful Links:

http://www.dickblick.com

http://www.organizeit.com

United Arts & Education

http://www.smilemakers.com

http://www.rexart.com

School Specialty

http://www.crayola.com

Zentangle Summer Fun!

My Summer Vacation Rocks! 

(already)

Yard sale rocking chairs -- painted by me and ready to rock with the newly covered seat cushions I made myself!

Spring!

new feet

New feet within my garden go,

New fingers stir the soil;

A troubadour upon the elm

Betrays the solitude.

-Emily Dickinson

sunshine and shadows

inspired by Walt Whitman quote

angel themed