The Ultimate Teacher Supply Checklist (and How to Earn Rewards While You Shop)

What does every teacher need to start the school year off right? A well-stocked classroom, a solid checklist, and a few smart shopping hacks. This updated teacher supply list covers all the essentials—plus some nice-to-haves to make your classroom more organized, efficient, and welcoming.

And best of all? You can turn your classroom purchases into free gift cards using the Fetch app.

✨ How to earn free school supplies with Fetch

🛍️ Shop online with Fetch Shop

Stocking up on classroom essentials? With Fetch Shop, teachers can earn rewards while they shop online—and turn those rewards into points automatically, no receipt scanning needed.

Open the Fetch app, tap the shopping cart icon, and browse exclusive offers from top school supply retailers.

Teacher favorites in Fetch Shop include:

• Staples – pens, folders, planners, and classroom basics
• Walmart – tissues, hand sanitizer, snacks, and paper goods
• Barnes & Noble – classroom books and teaching guides
• Books-a-Million – affordable additions to your classroom library
• Best Buy – headphones, chargers, and back-to-school tech
• Logitech – webcams, keyboards, and digital teaching tools
• Sam’s Club – bulk classroom supplies and storage bins

👉 Pro tip: Look for bonus point multipliers in Fetch Shop—these limited-time deals can help you rack up rewards even faster.

✏️ Earn rewards on top classroom brands

Prefer to shop in-store? Just snap your receipt in Fetch to earn points on trusted classroom brands you’re probably buying already.

These top brands often qualify for bonus rewards in the app:

• Kleenex – classroom tissue boxes
• Sharpie – permanent markers for labeling and decorating
• Paper Mate – colorful pens and writing tools
• Expo – dry erase markers and board cleaners
• Elmer’s – glue sticks and school glue
• Ticonderoga – the gold standard in pencils

Check out your personalized offers in the Discover tab before your next store run to check for classroom deals. Bonus offers on these brands are especially common during back-to-school season.

🎁 Redeem points for gift cards to your favorite stores

Once you’ve shopped—online or in-store—your Fetch Points can be turned into free gift cards you can use for your next classroom haul.

Popular teacher picks include:

• Amazon
• Walmart
• Staples
• Office Depot
• The Container Store
• Target
• Best Buy
• Barnes & Noble

Whether you’re buying bulk supplies, books, or classroom storage, Fetch helps you cover the cost just by doing what you’re already doing: shopping smart.

✅ Must-have teacher supplies for 2025

Whether it’s your first classroom or your fifteenth, these are the core supplies most teachers reach for year after year.

Writing + paper supplies

• Pencils
• Pens (blue, black, red)
• Erasers
• Highlighters
• Index cards
• Loose-leaf paper
• Printer paper
• Construction paper

Organization + grading

• Folders
• Lesson planners
• Gradebooks
• Sticky notes
• Binders
• Paper clips

Desk + utility items

• Stapler + staples
• Staple remover
• Tape + dispenser
• Scissors
• White-out

Cleaning + wellness

• Facial tissue
• Hand sanitizer
• Disinfecting wipes

💡 Nice-to-have supplies for a smoother year

You may not need these, but they can make classroom life easier (and more fun).

• Composition notebooks
• Three-hole punch
• Paper cutter
• Ink cartridges
• Small whiteboards
• Dry erase markers
• Stamps and stickers
• Command hooks + strips
• Magnets + clips
• Plastic bins + supply caddies
• Metal rolling cart
• Desk pen organizer
• Glue dots

📅 When’s the best time to buy school supplies?

Timing matters. Based on price trends, the best time to buy classroom supplies is just after July 4th. Retailers like Target, Office Depot, and Staples start offering major discounts in mid-July, with many essential items marked down by nearly 10% compared to early-year prices.

If you’re the planning type (we see you!), now’s the time to get your checklist ready and start snapping those receipts in Fetch. That way, when the deals roll in, you’ll already have gift cards waiting to go.

☕ Earn rewards for yourself, too

Fetch doesn’t just help you stock your classroom for free—you can also treat yourself. After you scan receipts or back-to-school shop through Fetch Shop, redeem your points for:

• A much-needed Starbucks or Dunkin’ coffee
• A night out at your favorite restaurant
• A classroom or home upgrade from Crate & Barrel

It doesn’t have to be Teacher Appreciation Week to celebrate all that you do.

🎁 Earn gift cards while you stock your classroom

Your classroom supply checklist is ready—but don’t forget the most rewarding item of all:

✅ Download the Fetch app and start snapping receipts.

✅ Shop through Fetch Shop for automatic points.

✅ Redeem gift cards for school supplies and more.

Make this school year your most rewarding one yet—with a little help from Fetch.