I have a confession. I’ve bought an embarrassing number of items for my elementary music classroom on Amazon. Looking through my past purchases, it’s easy to see why. Amazon is an extremely convenient source for finding affordable essentials for your music classroom.
To save you time (and maybe a few impulse buys), I put together this list of my top Amazon essentials for elementary music teachers—items I’ve personally used and repurchased because they truly make a difference. You’ll find everything organized into categories, making it easy to browse Amazon Essentials for classroom management, teaching tools, CDs, and more.
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Don’t forget to let me know which items you love! I am always on the hunt for more Amazon essentials!
Accessories for Elementary Music Teachers
1. Teacher Laptop Bag
This is the exact teaching bag I’m using now, and I really enjoy it! For one thing, it’s very spacious and has plenty of room for your work laptop, multiple music books, pencils, pitch pipe, and other essentials. And the laptop compartment is padded, too! There’s also a convenient front pocket which I use to store some stickers and my iPad Pro. This bag is well-made and is very sturdy. My favorite feature is that it can be worn as a messenger bag or backpack. I prefer to wear it as a backpack since my hands are usually full, and I’m frequently on the go!
Features:
- Spacious and sturdy
- Converts into backpack or messenger bag
- Padded laptop compartment
- Large front pocket
- Inner pockets for pens, pencils, and other essentials
2. Rothy’s Shoes for Elementary Music Teachers
When I first graduated from college, I would never have spent $100 on a pair of shoes, but as elementary music teachers we are on our feet and moving all day long. Good shoes are a must in this profession, and I can’t tell you how much I love my Rothy’s flats! They’re amazing because they’re flexible and comfortable, and they look professional at work! You’ll also feel good about owning a pair because they’re environmentally friendly and made 100% from recycled plastic bottles. You may not think recycled plastic sounds comfortable, but I can confirm it’s breathable, comfortable to wear, and machine-washable! If your feet are aching after work, treat yourself to a pair of these and thank me later. Personally, I’m a black flats kind of girl, but Rothy’s has lots of beautiful colors and shoe styles to choose from!
Features:
- Environmentally friendly, made from recycled materials
- Comfortable to wear, machine washable
- Flexible and breathable material
3. Water Bottle with Carrying Strap
If you’re an elementary music teacher, chances are you’re singing and using your voice for hours each work day. Staying hydrated is essential for our vocal health and longevity in the classroom. I’ve tried a lot of different water bottles, but I noticed that I keep reaching for this one in particular. I think the main reason is the size and the carrying strap! This plastic water bottle is 32 ounces. That’s a decent amount of water, but the bottle is not heavy or massive to carry around. It also has times to drink displayed on the side as a reminder to hydrate throughout the day. I especially appreciate the carrying strap and storage sleeve on this water bottle! The strap came in handy for keeping my water nearby when my hands were full or I was traveling room-to-room on my music cart. The sleeve was also big enough to store essentials like my phone, ID, and keys. And finally, it doesn’t leak!
Features:
- Locking Lid
- Comfortable Carrying Strap
- Zipper Storage Sleeve
- Small Mesh Front Pocket
Amazon Essentials for Classroom Management
When it comes to keeping a music classroom organized and running smoothly, these Amazon Essentials for classroom management are absolute game-changers.
4. Numbered Spot Markers for Elementary Music Classrooms
I re-purchased this item more often than any other for my music classroom. Ultimately, for my classroom management routine, these numbered spot markers were a game changer! What led me to these markers? I had been searching for something to simplify and streamline my process for seating in the general music classroom. Initially, I wanted to try seat spots, but I had one problem–I didn’t have carpeting.
Since I was going to have to opt for something with an adhesive to the vinyl floor, I discussed it with my principals, who all had one requirement—the seat spots couldn’t leave a residue on the floor. I spent a long time hunting on Amazon for the perfect seat spots that met my principals’ requirement. And… you guessed it, these are the ones! There are also numbers for 1-30, making them ideal for large class sizes. Here’s how I use them:
Using the Numbered Spot Markers:
- Apply them to designate where children will sit, whether it’s on the floor, on risers, or in chairs.
- Assign each child in the class a number—this will be their assigned seat in music class.
- When you need to switch a student’s seat, switch their number on your seating chart!
Features:
- Numbers 1-30
- Blank Writable Dots
- Optional Classroom Job Stickers
- Adheres Strongly
- Removes Easily with NO Residue!
5. Large Visual Timer for Elementary Music Centers
I love using this large oversized timer for timed activities such as centers or recorder practice groups. It’s big, making it easy to read and see, even from across the room! The alarm is quite loud, but keep in mind that there’s also a silent setting for students who are sensitive to noise. It requires one AA battery for use.
Features:
- Large, easy-to-see display
- Battery Operated (Uses AA batteries)
- Optional alarm
6. Display Your Boomwhackers on the Wall with these Spice Grippers!
If you have a class set of Boomwhackers, you’ll know that they’re big, bulky, and, without a proper storage solution, they can make a music classroom feel cluttered and disorganized. Your solution is these spice grippers! They can be adhered to the wall using the adhesive tape, or with screws. They’ll help hold, organize, and display your Boomwhackers beautifully! They’re also inexpensive and easy to install!
Features:
- Available in white or black
- Each item provides 4 strips—enough to hold 20 Boomwhackers
- Includes adhesive tape and screws
7. Label Maker for Organizing Instrument Bins and Your Music Library
This little Bluetooth label maker helped me organize my music classroom! I mainly used it to organize my file cabinets, music library, and my instrument bins. It connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth, and prints from an app called NIIMBOT, available for free on the App store or Google Play. Once you install the app, you can design and print your labels right from your Smartphone! The label maker does come with a roll of labels to get you started, but you may need to purchase additional tape, depending on what organization projects you’re tackling.
Features:
- Small and lightweight label maker
- Connects via Bluetooth
- Includes one roll of labels
- C-Cable Charger
8. Liquid Chalk Markers
If you have blackboards or chalkboards in your classroom, you know how dated they can feel. I remember feeling frustrated when my students would ask, “When is the concert?” I would say, “It’s been on the board for a month!” Meanwhile, my students hadn’t even been looking at my announcements written in dusty white chalk. I know it sounds silly, but I swear my students started paying more attention when I switched to using these liquid chalk markers. The bright colors caught their attention, allowing my class announcements to stand out and actually be seen! Reminder: don’t forget the eraser kit!
Features:
- 30 Bright Colors
- Works on White Boards, Chalk Boards, Metal, Glass, Plastic and Vinyl!
CD’s for Your Music Library
9. Kids in Action – Greg & Steve
“An oldie but a goodie” was how Greg & Steve was described to me by my cooperating teacher (CT) during my student teaching internship. I understand why my CT loved Greg and Steve CDs so much. They’re perfect for K-1 students! I honestly love all of the Greg & Steve CDs. They’re great for elementary music—full of movement and learning songs. I’m highlighting the Kids in Action CD because it is loaded with fun and easy movement activities! Goin’ On A Bear Hunt is a favorite with kindergarteners!
10. Beethoven’s Wig
The Beethoven’s Wig series actually has three CDs, and I own and use all of them! I really enjoy using these to introduce students to classical music and composers in a way that’s funny, silly, and memorable. Don’t forget to grab the piano sheet music to sing along with your students!
Gear for Elementary Music Teachers
11. Soundcore Portable Speaker for Music Class
I remember my colleague saying, “You’re the only teacher I know that keeps an actual speaker in their bag!”
She wasn’t wrong. When I was traveling on a cart, classroom-to-classroom, this Soundcore Bluetooth Speaker was a lifesaver. It paired quickly to my iPad, Chromebook, or whatever device I needed. The sound quality is great, the battery lasts forever, and it can go LOUD. Definitely worth the purchase. It’s still in my teaching bag now!
Features:
- Extra Long Battery Life!
- Enhanced Bass
- Waterproof
- Light and portable
- Bluetooth
- Compatible with laptops, tablets, smartphones, and more!
12. Aux Cord for Concerts and School Assemblies
This one may seem odd but I can’t tell you how many elementary schools I worked in where there was no aux cord available for connecting my audio tracks for concerts. It was always a big mess trying to locate a cord. Eventually, I caved and bought an extra long one for myself! I keep my aux cord in the trunk of my car, and trust me, it has saved many concerts from disaster!
Features:
- Braided nylon material
- Tangle resistant
- Compatible with iPod, iPhone, iPad, tablets, smartphones, and more!
13. Voice Amplifier for Elementary Music Teachers
Want to know one of my biggest struggles in the classroom? Teaching music when you’re getting over a cold. Losing your voice due to being under the weather is hard for elementary music teachers. We have to project our voices, often over large groups, and sing all day long! This voice amplifier has been a voice saver in situations when my voice wasn’t feeling its best. It’s small, loud, and super cute to wear. Plus, the students get a kick out of it.
Features:
- Long battery life
- Small and portable
- Volume control
- Belt clip
Other Amazon Essentials for Elementary Music Teachers
14. Pitch Pipe for Elementary Music Teachers
I strongly believe that pitch pipes are essential for all elementary music teachers and chorus teachers. For one thing, they’re an amazing tool for teaching acapella singing. Also, having a pitch pipe has come to my rescue again and again in situations where I was asked to teach singing without having access to a piano. Pitch pipes are such an affordable teaching tool, it’s a no-brainer.
Features:
- Full chromatic scale of pitches
- Tuned to A-440
- Good tone quality
15. Ear Plugs for Elementary Music Teachers
Lastly, this post would not be complete if I didn’t mention the importance of protecting your hearing. As music teachers, our profession puts each of us at an increased risk for hearing loss just based on the demands and requirements of our jobs. I’m not trying to frighten or worry you, but I do think hearing protection is important for our well-being. I like to keep my earplugs in my teaching bag for extremely noisy moments like pep rallies, field day, or fire drills. They are easy to pop in during loud situations and protect my hearing as a musician.
Features:
- 45dB Noise Canceling
- Lightweight, made from silicone
- Different sizes provided for a comfortable fit
- Reusable
And that’s it! I hope these Amazon essentials help you find something amazing to make your music teaching routine a little better! Did you find something for your classroom? Drop a comment and let me know what your favorites are!
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