Crayons, markers, pencils, erasers, glue sticks, ruler, scissors, construction paper and drawing paper make the list for almost all kindergarten classes. Teachers often combine all of the supplies from the students and create a common supply area for all students to use. Many schools supply worksheets, copied by the individual teachers as needed. Additional art supplies sometimes include manila paper, index cards, water color paints, play dough, modeling clay, paper plates and paper bags. Teachers send home requests for special craft items such as shoeboxes, egg cartons and oatmeal boxes.
Little hands get dirty, and kindergarten teachers remind students to wash their hands after messy art projects, before heading to lunch and after using the restroom. Hygiene items for kindergarten classes include facial tissues, liquid hand soap, diaper wipes and hand sanitizer. Paper towels and cleaning wipes provide sufficient materials to keep the classroom clean. Additional supplies could include various sizes of plastic zipper bags, paper cups and spray cleaner.
Each child needs a backpack, supply box and jacket for cooler weather. Some teachers use wide-rule notebooks for writing practice and student journals. Pocket folders with brads provide a vehicle for teachers and parents to communicate using samples of student work and notes about class events or discipline issues. All-day kindergarten classes may require a vinyl sleeping mat and sheet so students can nap after lunch. Half-day programs will not need sleeping mats. Send a change of clothing marked with the child's name in a gallon plastic bag. You want to exchange the clothes periodically to ensure that the spare clothes are weather appropriate. Mark each personal item with the name of the child.
Each teacher has miscellaneous items she likes to use with her class. Some of these items are seasonal, and the request goes out just before the items are needed. Such items include one package of valentines for each student, Christmas stickers and a Christmas gift for a child of the same gender. Teachers understand that family financial needs differ and they inform parents if there are programs that help with purchase of class supplies and miscellaneous seasonal items. The teacher may send home a wish list of things she needs that parents can contribute. Whatever she doesn't get, she buys out of her own pocket or requisitions from the school.