alison marie

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.