10 Classroom Supplies Math Teachers Would Love You to Donate
Real items from a real math classroom — bought in bulk, used every single year
I’m lucky. My district gives departments money. As the head of the math department at my school, I use our funds to buy things our students need — like graph paper, notebook paper, and pencils. But not all teachers are this fortunate. Many teachers have to purchase their own classroom supplies out of pocket, spending hundreds of dollars every year just to do their jobs.
Whether you’re a parent looking for a meaningful gift, a PTA member stocking a supply closet, or a math teacher trying to stretch every dollar — these are the 10 items we use in our high school math classroom year after year. I buy most of these in bulk and reorder several of them every single year without fail.
Pre-Sharpened Pencils (Bulk)
Pencils are the single most consumed item in any classroom. Students lose them, break them, and go through them faster than you’d believe. I buy 1,000 at a time and I still run out before the end of the year. The key is buying them pre-sharpened — there is nothing that kills classroom momentum faster than 30 kids waiting to use the pencil sharpener. This bulk pack is the one I reorder every single year without fail.
Bulk Loose-Leaf Notebook Paper (College Ruled)
Students always need paper — for notes, for practice problems, for quizzes when someone inevitably forgot their binder. Buying in bulk (I purchase 4 reams at a time, that’s 2,000 sheets) is far more cost-effective than buying individual packs. This college-ruled, three-hole punched option is exactly what students need to drop right into their binders.
Bulk Graph Paper (900 Sheets)
If you teach math at any level, graph paper is essential. My students use it for plotting functions, drawing coordinate planes, and keeping their work organized and aligned. Buying it in bulk loose-leaf sheets is much more practical than individual graph paper notebooks. This 900-sheet pack is a tremendous value and lasts a good portion of the year.
Dry Erase Markers — Fine Tip for Students (36-Pack)
Student-sized whiteboards have transformed the way I run my math classroom. Every student can show their work simultaneously and I can scan the room in seconds to see who’s getting it and who isn’t. For that to work, you need a lot of markers. These fine-tip dry erase markers are perfect for student use — the fine tip means neater work and they last longer than the chunky markers.
Dry Erase Markers — Chisel Tip for Teachers (Box of 12)
For the main whiteboard at the front of the room, chisel tip markers are the way to go. The wider tip makes writing visible from the back of the classroom, and the assorted colors let you color-code your work — something I find invaluable when working through multi-step math problems. I keep a fresh box at the front of the room at all times.
Dry Erase Erasers for Students
You cannot have dry erase markers without erasers. These block-style erasers hold up incredibly well with heavy student use and erase cleanly without leaving ghosting. I buy these in sets and keep one at each student station. It sounds simple but having a dedicated eraser at every seat keeps things moving and prevents that one student from using their sleeve (you know the one).
Whiteboard Cleaner Spray
Over time, whiteboards get a grayish film that regular erasers can’t remove. This EXPO cleaning spray is the solution. A quick spritz and wipe and your board looks brand new. I go through about 3 bottles a year between my room and sharing with other teachers in my department. It’s inexpensive and makes a huge difference in how your board presents.
Graph Sticky Notes (12-Pack)
This is one of my favorite finds. Graph sticky notes are brilliant for math classrooms — students can work out a quick problem or sketch a graph and stick it right in their notes or on a group work poster. They are also fantastic for gallery walks and collaborative activities. The 12-pack means you can give each student their own pad for an activity.
Glue Sticks (60-Count Bulk Pack)
Whether you’re doing interactive notebooks, cutting and pasting graphic organizers, or any kind of hands-on project, glue sticks are a classroom staple. Buying the 60-count bulk pack means you always have enough on hand and are not making emergency supply runs mid-project. Elmer’s disappearing purple formula is my go-to because students can see where they’ve applied the glue.
Highlighters (108-Count Bulk Pack)
Highlighters might be the most underrated classroom supply. I use them for annotating, identifying key vocabulary, marking important steps in a problem, and color-coding. Having a class set means every student can highlight their own work without sharing, which is both more hygienic and more efficient. This 108-count bulk pack is excellent value and the colors are bright and consistent.
Final Thoughts
Teachers do extraordinary work, often with limited resources. If you’re a teacher building your supply stash, buying in bulk is almost always the more economical choice — the per-unit cost drops dramatically and you won’t be scrambling mid-year. If you’re gifting to a teacher, any item on this list will be genuinely appreciated and actually used.
And if buying in bulk isn’t in your budget right now — please don’t let that stop you. One box of markers, a single pack of pencils, one ream of paper — it all adds up and it all gets used. Teachers notice every single donation, no matter the size. There is no such thing as a donation too small.
These are the real supplies from a real classroom. No fluff, no filler — just the things that make the school year run smoothly. And once your classroom is stocked, if you’re looking for ways to put those supplies to good use, check out my post on why matching activities work as a powerful check for understanding — one of my favorite ways to use those markers and sticky notes!
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