The Importance of Teacher and Eduational Supplies
By: Valerie Giles

Choosing the latest in school supplies, teacher supplies or educational supplies is an important step in helping you achieve your teaching goals for the school year. Your classroom budget will only stretch so far.

Any teacher knows the importance of a well-stocked classroom when it comes to their teacher supplies. The teacher supplies in your classroom can make all the difference in how your lectures, presentations or teaching appear and inspire your students.

Options have never been greater than they are today with a wide variety of wonderful teaching supplies to choose from, including books (dictionaries, thesauruses), calculators, classroom pencils, desktop accessories (push pins, spring clips, tape, tape dispensers, paperclips) correction fluid, markers, highlighters, lesson books, pens, pencils, notebooks, overhead projectors and supplies (overhead markers, transparency films for laser printers), educational software, post notes, paper punches (three hole, two hole and one hole punches), pencil sharpeners, paper, staplers, whiteboard accessories, writing accessories and art supplies (art papers, art books, paints, pastels, color wheels and paint brushes), just to name a few.

The options really can be overwhelming; a good idea for any teacher might be to look at some of the wonderful online teacher sites available to look for helpful ideas and inspirations for class lessons and presentations. Knowing exactly what teaching supplies you want before you start your shopping excursion is always a smart idea. Bring along a list and try to stick to it.

Maximizing Supplies
Teaching can be a very demanding profession, and the ability to reach your students may depend on the teacher supplies you have. All teachers will need the basic teacher supplies required of their course, but the creative ones will seek more. An experienced teacher knows that the basic supplies may not express the message fully. They will look for ways to make complex points clear to their students. There are many aids and teacher supplies that they find useful and makes the facts come to life. Experience teaches the teacher that communicating the message is as important as the lesson they are teaching. No information will be of value if it is not retained by the students.

Sometimes teacher supplies do not directly relate to the course of study they are teaching. Teachers may have a supply of incentives and rewards they use to motivate their students. We all know how proud we were to see that gold star beside our names for good spelling lessons. This concept is creatively extended in many ways by teachers to encourage results from their classes. The lesson itself may not be enough to spark the interest of the student. Additional incentive may make all the difference to the degree he or she will try.

While many things are supplied by the school for the use of the teacher and the class, many things are collected by teachers in their own personal assortment of tools they use to communicate. How well they communicate will determine the impact of their class on the students.

Teacher supplies are mass produced and available in many different types of stores. It is possible to buy the most basic teacher supplies in department stores along with other school supplies. You will find a really great selection in the teacher supply stores online. There are many stores that cater just to the needs of teachers, offering different aids for different subject areas and levels. Teaching is much more than simply knowing the subject matter and writing it out for your students. The information you are trying to relay will need to be interpreted and eased out to the class. New concepts can not be just blurted out and absorbed by most people. It needs to be offered to them in a way they can process in their minds.

Each mind will process information a bit differently, and a teacher with some experience will be able to adapt their methods and teacher supplies to respond to their class. One method and creative display may work well for some and not be clear at all for others. The teacher will not be able to move on to his next point if the last one is still a mystery. One point may take several approaches before he feels satisfied that the majority of his class understands. Even though each student may differ, in groups, the teacher will be able to develop skills to reach the majority of them.

Children enter school with minds ready to respond to all the teacher and the teacher supplies have to offer them. Learning is a gradual process and, if done well, will lead children into a confidant and capable adult life. The teaching methods and teacher supplies that are available to them will determine the quality of education they receive. The creativity of the teacher will help any knowledge he has on the subject be absorbed by the students. Aids and teacher supplies can only help with this task.

Using the Internet
If your classroom has access to the Internet, it's an excellent way to enhance your current list of school supplies. In fact, having access to the Internet is like having access to a vast array of free teacher supplies and free stuff for teachers. Finding Web sites that that are safe to use in your classroom as well as ones that compliment your current school supplies can be a tricky process.

A great strategy when using the Internet as part of your teacher supplies is to do research on a specific topic before asking your students to research the topic themselves. You will be able to find a number of Web sites that contain solid information that your students can use. Simply save the site on your hard drive and place it in a folder with that topic's name. When your students start their research, simply open the topic folder. It will give the appearance of surfing without the worry of accessing inappropriate material. When the project is complete, delete or save to a disk in order to make room for additional online school supplies.

With all the wonderful school supplies, teacher supplies and educational supplies available, there has never been a more exciting time to be a teacher. Along with the great school supplies to be found, there is a myriad of excellent online teacher sites on the Internet supplying an array of information, ideas and free downloads.

By combining both the teacher supplies and online teacher sites, any teacher is sure to inspire their classroom. Some of the great online teacher sites can include free clipart, enchanted learning, classroom signs, presentation templates, free worksheets (math, geography, language, arts and science), printable coloring pages, games, activities, Christian education, lesson plans, free English exercises and tests, online reading programs, primary games, songs for teachers, resources for Catholic teachers, activity idea sites, free software to teach children (alphabet, numbers, counting and reading), quotation pages, mazes, dot-to-dot pictures, puzzles, worksheets and rhymes, just to name a few.

The school supplies, teacher supplies and educational supplies found in any classroom will serve as tools throughout the school year by assisting and teaching your class important skills. Having good quality school supplies and educational supplies in the classroom can both enhance and encourage learning in your class.

Valerie Giles owns and operates Cyber-Prof: Teacher Resource Site, www.cyber-prof.com, an educational Web site that specializes in resources for teachers.

Product Roundup

Captain’s Log by BrainTrain
Based on more than 20 years of clinical experience and neuroscientific research, the Captain’s Log system is a powerful computerized personal trainer for the mind, providing students with more than 1,000 hours of game-like exercises to stimulate the areas of the brain that are responsible for learning abilities. Students learn to pay attention, remember what they learn, problem-solve, improve self-control and more. Teachers can send students to the mental gym for daily mental workouts with Captain’s Log and help them develop thinking skills that will serve them for a lifetime.
www.braintrain.com 


GeeGuides
GeeGuides takes a comprehensive approach to teaching art, encouraging development of cognitive and creative-thinking skills, while making cross-curricular connections to other subjects. Students learn the visual language of art and how artists have applied artistic concepts to say something through their work. Then, through digital and traditional art activities, students can explore their own artistic voice. With teacher lesson plans, online student portfolios, student incentives, art activities and more, the geeART16 curriculum provides all that is needed. And, because it is Web-based, students and teachers can access the application anywhere there is an Internet connection.
www.geeguides.com/CSP 


Geometer’s Sketchpad by Key Curriculum Press
The Geometer's Sketchpad brings a powerful dimension to the study of mathematics. Sketchpad is a dynamic construction and exploration tool that enables students to explore and understand mathematics in new ways. With Sketchpad, students can construct an object and then explore its mathematical properties by dragging the object with the mouse. All mathematical relationships are preserved, allowing students to examine an entire set of similar cases in a matter of seconds, leading them by natural course to generalizations. Sketchpad encourages a process of discovery in which students first visualize and analyze a problem, and then make conjectures before attempting a proof.  
www.keypress.com


How Tall am I? by Jax Games
Roll the Dice and stack up the parts to create a crazy character. With all the pieces in place, how will the character measure up? Use the custom measuring ruler to find out.  The tallest character wins. With 36 different pieces to choose from, students can create different characters each time they play.  Game instructions come in English and Spanish.  Jax Games offers a wide variety of games to make learning fun.
www.jaxgames.com 


Readingpen
The Readingpen is a portable, self-contained, handheld device that improves reading skills for all learners, maintaining the flow of reading as students encounter unfamiliar words. Working with any printed material, the Readingpen, with a database of more than 250.000 words, motivates and supports independent reading, allowing students to improve their skills in fluency, vocabulary and overall comprehension. The Readingpen, featuring a built-in speaker and headphones, scans words or full lines of text, displays the words on the built-in screen and pronounces or defines the words for students.
www.readingpen.com 


K to the 8th Power Technology Courseware
K to the 8th Power Technology Courseware helps increase student and teacher technology skills and computer literacy through integrated technology lessons. The program is a complete online technology education curriculum for K-8. More than 500 lessons combine technology skills with classroom academic instruction. Students learn word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software skills and apply those skills to reading, writing and math objectives. All lessons, teacher resources and electronic grade book are delivered over the Internet. 
www.kto8.com/csp 


Walltalkers Dry Erase Presentation Wallcoverings
Walltalkers ez•rite dry erase wallcoverings instantly transform faded and outdated chalkboards into clean, bright, highly readable surfaces that actually enhance teaching and learning.  Ez•rite is applied over existing chalk/marker boards, so installation is fast and easy. Quality materials and processes result in a longer-lasting, better-looking product for the school. Walltalkers uses only vinyl substrates, never paper, so the dry erase presentation wallcoverings consistently maintain their unique flexibility and strength. They won’t crack, chip or deteriorate, even under daily use.
www.walltalkers.com 


Grammardog Guides
Designed to teach students grammar in context, these reproducible guides (provided on CD-ROM) use sentences from specific works of literature. Each work is analyzed for 12 of the following 14 elements:  parts of speech; proofreading (spelling, capitalization, punctuation); simple, compound, and complex sentences; phrases; clauses; verbals; complements; passive/active voice; poetic devices; figurative language; sensory imagery; humor; allusions; and literary analysis.
www.grammardog.com 


Globes & Maps from US Markerboard
US Markerboard is proud to offer this new product line, which includes globes of all types; a complete range of continent and world wall maps; and a wide variety of geography education programs and material. Specifically in this category, you will find atlases, globes, globe and map combo sets, maps, map mounting and accessories. In addition, US Markerboard also carries magnetic whiteboards with map rails to accommodate your new pull-down maps. See the world from a whole new perspective with high-quality, durable, accurate and innovative geographical products manufactured by a leader in the industry. 
www.USMarkerboard.com 


Holyoke News Company
Holyoke News Company has more than 50 years experience as a worldwide provider of educational books to both private and public, primary and secondary schools. They specialize in educational paperbacks while also offering a full complement of hardcover texts from all the major publishers. They stock more than 35,000 titles in quantities to supply their customers around the globe. Their experienced customer service and management professionals have previously worked as teachers and administrators at private secondary schools and universities. Holyoke News Company is ready and prepared to be your source for educational books.
www.holyoke-news.com 


TeachingSupplyStore.com
TeachingSupplyStore.com offers a wide range of teacher supplies at everyday discounted prices. Educators can choose from more than 15,000 products. They specialize in teacher resources, education materials, curriculums, learning aids, and classroom decorations. Their products are used by teachers, school administrators and daycare providers. Join the thousands of satisfied customers and discover the TeachingSupplyStore.com difference for yourself.
www.TeachingSupplyStore.com 


Scratch-Art Light Catcher Inspired Designs Group Pack
Get kids inspired with these beautiful Light Catchers. Kits feature popular Christian themes. Scratch with the wood drawing stylus and design dazzling “stained glass” window art. Personalize each Light Catcher with unique decorations and drawings. Hang in a window--sunlight illuminates brilliant glowing colors. Pack includes everything to complete 12 projects: 12 Design Frames, 12 Scratch-Lite Sheets, and 12 heavy-duty wood drawing styluses. Pack includes three each of the following designs: angel, cross, heart & hands, and Noah’s Ark.
www.scratchart.com 


BK's Schoolhouse Educational Supplies
BK's Schoolhouse Educational Supplies is family-operated and has been in business since 1999.  Their focus is on offering a large variety of Christian classroom decorations including bulletin board sets, posters, trimmers and banners. Besides their large selection of Christian classroom decorations, incentive charts, reward stickers and bookmarks with quotes from the Bible,  they also support a variety of teaching supplies, such as teacher storage boxes for bulletin board sets, preschool manipulatives, progress report forms and award certificates. They have one of the most comprehensive offerings of teacher lesson plan books and record books on the Internet and also carry a wide range of teacher messages for parents and home, teacher tips and substitute teaching supplies. 
www.bksschoolhouse.com