Last post I covered most of the major items in my classroom that I chose. In this post, you'll find all of the student consumables found in my classroom! I've done my best to organize this list in a way that makes sense, but I apologize in advance for any tangents, and the fact that it's such a long post!
Paper:
White Sulphite Paper/80lb drawing paper- suitable for all dry materials and watercolors. I keep sheets sized 9x12", 10x10", and 12x18" pre cut, as well as some scraps just in case students need to color test materials.
60lb Manila Scratch Paper- for exactly what it sounds like, students need to sketch, and this stuff is incredibly inexpensive! I'll also allow some free-draw to happen on this paper for the rare student who has time.
Watercolor Paper- I found stacks of really expensive 120lb Arches Watercolor paper in my classroom when I started, so that's what my students are using! I try to keep sheets sized 9x12", 10x10", and 12x18" pre cut, though there are dozens of sheets that frankly I couldn't bring myself to trim in other sizes. Once we've used this watercolor paper up, I have every intention of replacing it with more standard student grade watercolor paper. While I believe having watercolor paper is important, the expensive stuff is just a waste of money.
Construction Paper- in a variety of colors, Pacon fadeless brand (because it's my favorite). I purchased extra black since I tend to use it not only for projects, but also to mount artwork.
Tissue Paper- I purchased a huge pack of art tissue paper from Dick Blick, and so far, am loving it. I've never paid a whole lot of attention to "bleeding" and "not bleeding" since frankly, it always seems to bleed. My only rule with tissue is to tear it and not cut it. For whatever reason, torn sheets always work better.
Railroad Board- I found so.many.boxes of this. It's in assorted colors, and as soon as I know what to do with it, I'll write a blog post!
Paints:
Acrylic- I went the Dick Blick route on this one too. Unlike most teachers though, I purchased smaller bottles. Here's my thought process- acrylic paint is expensive, and it doesn't really last from year to year. I would rather purchase more in the spring, and have a little more time to use it, than be stuck with giant bottles I need to use up quickly.
Tempera Cakes- While tempera cakes tend to dry a little chalky, I don't actually think it's a bad thing. They're also inexpensive, easy to distribute, and my students love them. I purchased the Dick Blick brand with these again, and intend to purchase additional cakes in fun colors, and the colors my students use up!
Watercolors- I "sprung" for the Crayola Educational Watercolors sets. Here's why- there are always a few colors that students use up first (blue), and it's actually less expensive to pop in a new color puck than replace the whole set. I've also found that drying them open on my counter extends their useful life as they don't get all gummy.
Brushes- I found so many in my classroom, and I can't say I like any of them. I wish I had plastic handled brushes that could be left in the sink to soak a little.
Brush Cleaner- This stuff is the bomb dot com. Seriously, I've saved so many brushes, and my students clean them better since they can visibly see color left on the puck.
Drawing Materials:
Markers- I purchased standard, broad tipped Crayola markers and while I don't hate them, I don't love them. I'm absolutely going to try another brand next year.
Colored Pencils- I again purchased Crayola brand colored pencils. They're cheap, and work decently well. When it's time to replace them, I'll likely go woodless. That time may take a while though, I'm still using just the colored pencils I found in my classroom (except the Rose Art one's I tossed), and there's no end in sight.
Crayons- I purchased two types- standard Crayola variety and Construction Paper Crayons. If you haven't tried these, I absolutely insist that you do. They're milky and smooth, a dream.
Chalk Pastels- I purchased a standard class pack from Dick Blick and have been perfectly okay with them. I use Aqua Net hairspray to keep it stuck to papers and don't feel as though the colors are impacted terribly by the spray!
Oil Pastels- I'm a pretty big fan of the Cray-Pas brand. I only got one class pack, and doubt I'll be needing any more.
Ceramics:
Clay- Highwater Clays has a local distributor, and they give a great deal to educators. I use their low fire white and red.
Glaze- I like doing Amaco and Mayco glazes. The kids love the ones with crystals, and I do my best to keep an assortment of colors. I also keep some clear dipping glaze in the event students want to make something food safe or white.
Glaze Pencils- The price may be high, but the ability to clearly mark a student's work is incredibly helpful. I'm finding many of my students can recognize a piece with their initials after a bisque fire, but things can get tricky after a glaze fire.
Tools- A variety of ribbon tools, sponges, and cheap metal forks are more than sufficient. Add in some rubber stamps and your kids will love you forever.
Paper:
White Sulphite Paper/80lb drawing paper- suitable for all dry materials and watercolors. I keep sheets sized 9x12", 10x10", and 12x18" pre cut, as well as some scraps just in case students need to color test materials.
60lb Manila Scratch Paper- for exactly what it sounds like, students need to sketch, and this stuff is incredibly inexpensive! I'll also allow some free-draw to happen on this paper for the rare student who has time.
Watercolor Paper- I found stacks of really expensive 120lb Arches Watercolor paper in my classroom when I started, so that's what my students are using! I try to keep sheets sized 9x12", 10x10", and 12x18" pre cut, though there are dozens of sheets that frankly I couldn't bring myself to trim in other sizes. Once we've used this watercolor paper up, I have every intention of replacing it with more standard student grade watercolor paper. While I believe having watercolor paper is important, the expensive stuff is just a waste of money.
Construction Paper- in a variety of colors, Pacon fadeless brand (because it's my favorite). I purchased extra black since I tend to use it not only for projects, but also to mount artwork.
Tissue Paper- I purchased a huge pack of art tissue paper from Dick Blick, and so far, am loving it. I've never paid a whole lot of attention to "bleeding" and "not bleeding" since frankly, it always seems to bleed. My only rule with tissue is to tear it and not cut it. For whatever reason, torn sheets always work better.
Railroad Board- I found so.many.boxes of this. It's in assorted colors, and as soon as I know what to do with it, I'll write a blog post!
Paints:
Acrylic- I went the Dick Blick route on this one too. Unlike most teachers though, I purchased smaller bottles. Here's my thought process- acrylic paint is expensive, and it doesn't really last from year to year. I would rather purchase more in the spring, and have a little more time to use it, than be stuck with giant bottles I need to use up quickly.
Tempera Cakes- While tempera cakes tend to dry a little chalky, I don't actually think it's a bad thing. They're also inexpensive, easy to distribute, and my students love them. I purchased the Dick Blick brand with these again, and intend to purchase additional cakes in fun colors, and the colors my students use up!
Watercolors- I "sprung" for the Crayola Educational Watercolors sets. Here's why- there are always a few colors that students use up first (blue), and it's actually less expensive to pop in a new color puck than replace the whole set. I've also found that drying them open on my counter extends their useful life as they don't get all gummy.
Brushes- I found so many in my classroom, and I can't say I like any of them. I wish I had plastic handled brushes that could be left in the sink to soak a little.
Brush Cleaner- This stuff is the bomb dot com. Seriously, I've saved so many brushes, and my students clean them better since they can visibly see color left on the puck.
Drawing Materials:
Markers- I purchased standard, broad tipped Crayola markers and while I don't hate them, I don't love them. I'm absolutely going to try another brand next year.
Colored Pencils- I again purchased Crayola brand colored pencils. They're cheap, and work decently well. When it's time to replace them, I'll likely go woodless. That time may take a while though, I'm still using just the colored pencils I found in my classroom (except the Rose Art one's I tossed), and there's no end in sight.
Crayons- I purchased two types- standard Crayola variety and Construction Paper Crayons. If you haven't tried these, I absolutely insist that you do. They're milky and smooth, a dream.
Chalk Pastels- I purchased a standard class pack from Dick Blick and have been perfectly okay with them. I use Aqua Net hairspray to keep it stuck to papers and don't feel as though the colors are impacted terribly by the spray!
Oil Pastels- I'm a pretty big fan of the Cray-Pas brand. I only got one class pack, and doubt I'll be needing any more.
Ceramics:
Clay- Highwater Clays has a local distributor, and they give a great deal to educators. I use their low fire white and red.
Glaze- I like doing Amaco and Mayco glazes. The kids love the ones with crystals, and I do my best to keep an assortment of colors. I also keep some clear dipping glaze in the event students want to make something food safe or white.
Glaze Pencils- The price may be high, but the ability to clearly mark a student's work is incredibly helpful. I'm finding many of my students can recognize a piece with their initials after a bisque fire, but things can get tricky after a glaze fire.
Tools- A variety of ribbon tools, sponges, and cheap metal forks are more than sufficient. Add in some rubber stamps and your kids will love you forever.
Printmaking:
Scratch Foam- Sure, you could use styrofoam plates, but I think these are easier to use, and provide a cleaner final product.
Brayers- I already had a ton of these, though groups of 3 could share if you're buying new. I use plates of plexi-glass from Home Depot to roll out ink on.
Ink- Buying real printmaking ink is a must. Speedball is a personal favorite, just be sure you're buying water based unless you really love cleaning...
Glue/Adhesives:
Elmer's Glue All- The one and only. Couldn't live without this stuff! Don't skimp on getting the Glue-All, it's stronger than the regular glue.
Elmer's Glue Sticks- They're not my favorite, but nice to have on hand.
Elmer's Washable Clear Glue- To be used for making Fairy Boogers (slime) and batiks.
Sta-Flo Starch- It's so much better than watered down glue for tissue paper collages. Goes on clean, and allows you to iron student's paper for an extra flat finish.
Basics:
Scissors- I'm a Fiskars brat, and I purchase the Graduate size for my middle schoolers. Many have their own scissors, and I'm happy to let them use those too, but teaching them how to use "real" scissors is an important skill!
Pencils- My classroom came stocked, but I'll be purchasing Ticonderoga pencils when they need replacing.
Sharpies- All of my students are supposed to have their own, but just in case I stock fine tip and extra fine tip black Sharpies.
Masking Tape- Can't ever have enough.
Roll of Butcher Paper- and a roll cutter for good measure.
Not so Basics:
Coaster Molds- for mosaics. I found thousands of tiles, and these little molds make mosaic projects much easier.
Multi-Cultural Markers and Crayons- Yes, you could have students run through the provided colors, but I think that these are much better. My students also appreciate having skin colors that aren't all "peach" or "tan".
Armature Wire- and pliers for sculpture projects.
Flour- to make paste for paste paper.
Alum- for marbling paper.
Ziplock Baggies and Cling Wrap- I promise, you'll find a use.
Scratch Foam- Sure, you could use styrofoam plates, but I think these are easier to use, and provide a cleaner final product.
Brayers- I already had a ton of these, though groups of 3 could share if you're buying new. I use plates of plexi-glass from Home Depot to roll out ink on.
Ink- Buying real printmaking ink is a must. Speedball is a personal favorite, just be sure you're buying water based unless you really love cleaning...
Glue/Adhesives:
Elmer's Glue All- The one and only. Couldn't live without this stuff! Don't skimp on getting the Glue-All, it's stronger than the regular glue.
Elmer's Glue Sticks- They're not my favorite, but nice to have on hand.
Elmer's Washable Clear Glue- To be used for making Fairy Boogers (slime) and batiks.
Sta-Flo Starch- It's so much better than watered down glue for tissue paper collages. Goes on clean, and allows you to iron student's paper for an extra flat finish.
Basics:
Scissors- I'm a Fiskars brat, and I purchase the Graduate size for my middle schoolers. Many have their own scissors, and I'm happy to let them use those too, but teaching them how to use "real" scissors is an important skill!
Pencils- My classroom came stocked, but I'll be purchasing Ticonderoga pencils when they need replacing.
Sharpies- All of my students are supposed to have their own, but just in case I stock fine tip and extra fine tip black Sharpies.
Masking Tape- Can't ever have enough.
Roll of Butcher Paper- and a roll cutter for good measure.
Not so Basics:
Coaster Molds- for mosaics. I found thousands of tiles, and these little molds make mosaic projects much easier.
Multi-Cultural Markers and Crayons- Yes, you could have students run through the provided colors, but I think that these are much better. My students also appreciate having skin colors that aren't all "peach" or "tan".
Armature Wire- and pliers for sculpture projects.
Flour- to make paste for paste paper.
Alum- for marbling paper.
Ziplock Baggies and Cling Wrap- I promise, you'll find a use.