I've also found myself back working in lower elementary grade classrooms and there are a few things that I always bring with me now.
- A few books: to read to the kids if they are done early. Usually, a new story that they've never seen before is very exciting to them. I usually pack about 3 with me.
- Band-aids: sometimes injuries happen and you don't know where the homeroom teacher keeps that kind of stuff.
- Stickers: for fun and rewards.
- Whistle: because you might end up teaching gym that day and trying to yell during gym class is not good for the throat.
- Kleenex
- Hand-sanitizer
- Colouring pages (and for the older crew, I have extreme dot-to-dot and sodoku) for in case they are done their work early
- Candy: I only handout candy if I have checked with administration for any allergies or health restrictions. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW THESE STUDENT'S DIETARY RESTRICTION!! DO NOT HAND OUT CANDY UNLESS YOU HAVE CHECKED WITH ADMIN THAT IT IS OKAY!