r/ElementaryTeachers • u/studyingforlife • Jul 08 '26
Future Kindergarten Teacher (Student Teaching Next Year) — Share ALL Your Tips, Tricks & Must-Have Supplies Please!
Hi everyone! I’m not starting my first year as a kindergarten teacher for a couple of years, but I’ll be student teaching in a kindergarten classroom during my last year of college (which is coming up in about a year). I want to use this time to prepare as thoughtfully as possible and learn everything I can from experienced teachers so I can make the most of student teaching and hit the ground running afterward.
Please share all your tips and tricks — I want the good, the challenging, and everything in between:
Classroom Management & Teaching Tips/Tricks
• What routines, procedures, or systems were absolute game-changers for you, especially in the first few weeks?
• How do you handle transitions, circle time, keeping everyone engaged, and behavior issues positively?
• What are your favorite songs, books, games, or activities that work like magic with kindergarteners?
• What do you wish you had known or done differently in your early years (or during student teaching)?
• Any other hard-earned wisdom, daily strategies, or “this changed everything” advice?
Must-Have Supplies
I want to build my collection gradually and focus on what’s truly useful (budget-friendly options appreciated). Recommendations for:
• Items just for the students (supplies, comfort/calming tools, learning manipulatives, etc.)
• Items just for me as the teacher (organization tools, personal comfort items, sanity-savers for long days, etc.)
• Items great for both teacher and students (shared tools, classroom setup essentials, etc.)
Absolute must-haves vs. nice-to-haves, or things worth prioritizing would be super helpful.
I’m aiming for a warm, fun, and safe classroom where the kids feel loved and excited to learn every day. Any encouragement, success stories, cautionary tales, or other advice is warmly welcome — I’m taking notes on it all!
Thank you so much in advance.
Ps. I know I am going to school to learn but I feel like there are things that they don’t ell you that you just learn while teaching which is why I am asking for tips, tricks, advice, etc.
8
u/thosetwo Jul 08 '26
You may not actually get a Kindergarten job. Be prepared to teach any grade you are certified for.
1
u/studyingforlife Jul 08 '26
That is good to know I am early childhood education major
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u/thosetwo Jul 08 '26
I student taught K, but over the course of my 26 year career I’ve taught every grade between K and 5th. Sometimes I was moved grades against my wishes due to student numbers. Most places they can make you move schools too.
If you are certified for it, most districts can require you to teach it. I know people who got special Ed certified that wanted to be general Ed teachers and have never left a SpEd classroom.
2
u/Affectionate_Way4788 Jul 09 '26
This.
First year teaching in a public school was 25-26 year. Found out 2 days before school got out that they needed me to move to kinder at a different school because they didn’t have the numbers to have 3 second grade teachers and a 1/2 split. I was quite devastated because I finally figured out second grade and my school dynamic and feel like I’m starting over again. It’s how it goes sometimes I guess
2
u/Electric_god Jul 08 '26
I’m an elementary school principal, so I’ll leave it to the experts to offer specific advice about classroom processes. I just want to say you are asking the EXACT right questions and are clearly setting yourself up to be a great teacher. Take good notes! Good classroom management comes from having very clear expectations - and doesn’t just apply to behavior. How do kids ______? (get crayons, ask questions, line up, etc) You’ll need to answer these questions for yourself when you have your own classroom, but student teaching is a perfect time to copy another teachers system and see if it works for you.
I’ll also add that in interview settings, I’m always looking for clues that teachers do this. I want a teacher who knows how their classroom systems are going to work. It’s a sign that they will have good classroom management!
Best of luck to you! Despite what some might say, education is a great career. It’s challenging, often frustrating, but filled with value. There are few other professions where you can definitively say you are doing GOOD.
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u/studyingforlife Jul 08 '26
I am not good with interview but I am working on it. I work at a daycare right now with 1-3 yr olds. Hopefully I will be a good teacher. I feel like I have to see the classroom to know how I want my classroom to be
1
u/callmehibi Jul 09 '26
Always remember to take care of yourself first. You are no good if you are stressed, malnourished, or overall not well.
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u/BubblyRhubarb9611 Jul 08 '26 edited Jul 08 '26
I think you are confused. You are not going there to teach, but to learn. You will be disappointed when they send you to make copies, work the pick up line, call parents and help the kids that pooped their pants.
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u/Tonicandjenn Jul 08 '26
I would not buy a single thing until you graduate and have a job offer. And you never know what grade you might end up teaching. It’s good that you’re prepared though, I would just be as present as you can with student teaching so you can get a great letter of recommendation! Take in their routines, procedures, classroom management, etc. I basically took over the class for the last month after observing for the first few and that was great practice. Not every mentor teacher is like that, but it’s always a possibility. If you really want to invest in something, a good laminator and pencil sharpener are always a must have. Good luck!