TOP 10 BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSROOMS

If you're gearing up for a new school year, you know the excitement (and chaos) that comes with prepping your classroom. As a special education teacher, having the right tools makes all the difference for your students and your sanity.

Whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned pro, this updated list of must-have back to school supplies for special education classrooms will help you start the year off organized, efficient, and ready to rock. I’m sharing my top 10 teacher-tested essentials I absolutely can’t live without, plus a bonus item I promise you’re going to want to add to your cart.

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Velcro Dots

If Velcro had a frequent buyer program, I’d be platinum. In a special education classroom, Velcro is life. I use hook and loop dots for everything—visual schedules, communication boards, folder systems, adapted books, token boards, and more.

💡 Pro Tip: Use “soft on the surface, hard on the card” to stay consistent. Your future self (and your paras) will thank you.

🛒 These Velcro dots are my go-to because they’re pre-cut and strong enough to stick through all the daily chaos.

Laminating Sheets

Laminating = long-term sanity. I laminate just about everything, from picture icons to social stories, because if I’m going to spend time prepping it, I want it to last.

Instead of using the school laminator that may or may not work (and may or may not eat your resources), I use individual laminating pouches. They’re thicker, seal better, and end up saving time and money.

🛒 I have tried lots of brands, but my go-to is this pack from Amazon.

1" White Binders

My special education data binders are the heart of my classroom systems. Each student gets their own 1” binder with IEP goal data sheets, program materials, and notes.

I use additional white binders for group data, staff training info, and paraprofessional schedules. Slap on a cute spine label from one of my classroom decor sets and boom! Functional and fabulous.

Clipboards

Clipboards are perfect for on-the-go data collection. My paraprofessionals each get a color-coded clipboard with their daily schedule and weekly focus. I also use clipboards for first/then boards and token systems.

💡 These are one of my top special education classroom setup ideas, especially if your team is constantly moving around with students.

🛒 Here’s the set I love.

3M Mounting Tape

Have brick walls? Hate hot glue guns? Me too.

3M mounting tape is my classroom BFF. It sticks everything, binder clips, visuals, picture frames, posters, even whole bulletin boards, to just about any surface. You only need a little bit, and it holds like a champ.

🛒 Find it here. You won’t go back.

Cardstock

Visual schedules, task cards, file folder activities... if it’s being handled, it’s getting printed on cardstock. I always keep a heavy-duty stack on hand in both white and colors.

💡 Combine cardstock + lamination + Velcro = materials that last for years.

🛒 Here’s the brand I rely on.

Binder Pencil Pouches

These little zipper pouches are incredibly versatile. I stick one in each student's data binder for program materials (like manipulatives or token board pieces). I also Velcro them to the backs of chairs to store everyday supplies like pencils or dry erase markers.

💡 This helps keep students accountable for their materials.

Poly Folders with Prongs

I use poly folders for parent communication, general ed inclusion, and classroom routines. They're sturdier than paper folders, easier to disinfect, and almost impossible to rip.

💡 Slide a daily home note, visual supports, or even token boards inside to keep students organized across settings.

Printable Labels

In a special ed classroom, labeling is everything. Labeled clipboards, labeled pouches, labeled bins. At the start of the year, I print a full sheet of name labels for each student and stick them on everything. This one simple step cuts down on “I lost my pencil” drama and makes supplies way easier to track.

Sheet Protectors

Instead of laminating worksheets, I use clear, glossy sheet protectors. They’re reusable, dry-erase friendly, and cost a fraction of what I’d spend on laminating pouches.

Perfect for:

• Morning work binders

• Worksheets

• Repetition-based task sheets

BONUS: Cheap Analog Clocks

Okay, hot take: I cannot with those giant yellow Judy clocks. They’re confusing, unrealistic, and don’t help with generalization.

So every year, I buy a few cheap analog clocks. They’re perfect for teaching time-telling and time management, and I don’t panic if one breaks. Win-win.

🛒 Here’s one that’s simple and affordable.

Ready to Stock Up?

Starting the school year with the right tools can make a world of difference for you, your team, and your students. These must-have special education teacher supplies help streamline routines, support independence, and keep your classroom running like a well-oiled (and color-coded) machine.

What’s your #1 can’t-teach-without-it item? Drop it in the comments, I’m always looking for new ideas to try!