So you are a teacher and the new trend is to ask the community to help set up your classroom. You are now needing to find the best places to share your Amazon Wish Lists and some other questions that I hope to answer. Every year the phrase “Clear the List” gets more and more popular.

You will see others call these Clear the Lists and even use the hashtag #clearthelist on social media. Some districts and some do not. So before making a wish list and asking for donations specifically for your classroom be sure to check with your district. This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you.

If your district has rules about not making a list asking for donations for your classroom, you may want to consider making a personal gift registry.

If you have a list and you are ready to share here are some tips that you can follow!

In the last few years, I finally made earning Master’s Credit hours to make more money as a teacher and move across the salary schedule a priority. It helps me personally and allows me to do a bit more for my family and my students. I made a list of Cheap Masters’s Credit Hours for Teachers if you would like to start them as well!

Best Places to Share Amazon Teacher Wish Lists

Meet the Teacher Night: When you are sending an email inviting families to Meet the Teacher nights, be sure to include your Wish List.  Also, have your list easily accessible with a qr code for those back-to-school nights! 

Share your list via e-mail: Send an email to parents, colleagues, friends, and family members, providing them with a direct link to your Amazon wish list. Explain the purpose and importance of the items on the list, and express gratitude for any support received. If you have a website adding it to the footer of the site might be a great idea.

Newsletter: If your school has a newsletter, request a feature where you can share your wish list. Provide a brief description of your needs and include the link to your Amazon wish list. If this isn’t allowed you might have your own letter that you create.  It is never too early to send that welcome-back newsletter to parents. 

Utilize your social media accounts, such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, to share your Amazon wish list. Craft a post explaining the items you require and how they will enhance your students’ learning experience. Teacher TikTok is a happening place! Include the link to your wish list in the post and encourage your followers to share it with others. You can take a look at my personal wish list on how I added descriptions to the products (if anything is left on it by the time you read this article). 

Your PTA: My PTA (parent-teacher organizations) actually asked for wish lists one year and they shared it with their association! Ask if they can help share your Amazon wish list with parents and community members through their communication channels, such as newsletters, websites, or social media groups.

Classroom Communication Platforms: If your school uses a classroom communication platform like ClassDojo or Remind, you can share the link to your Amazon wish list directly with parents. These platforms offer a convenient way to communicate with parents and keep them updated on classroom needs. There might be times in the middle of the year when you can ask for extra donations and supplies for activities and such.

Personal Website or Blog: If you have a personal website or blog, create a dedicated page where you can explain your wish list and include the Amazon link. Share the link to this page with your network and encourage them to support your classroom.

Engage with local community groups such as parent-teacher associations, neighborhood organizations, and local businesses. They may be interested in supporting your classroom by fulfilling your wish list or organizing fundraising events on your behalf.

Hashtags: Use the following hashtags on social media to help get more eyes on your list. #BetterTogether #clearthelist2023 #clearthelist #TeachersOfTwitter #teachertwitter #PostForPencils #DonorsChoose

Add your Wish List items to Donors Choose: Rather than JUST create an Amazon Wish List another option is also to create a Donors Choose project. In the past, I have been able to get projects fully funded this way. Also, once you create an account create a project and add items to a wish list you would love to be supported with!  You can do a project like “Student Rewards”, “Class book sets for the Class library”, or more!

Starting August 2nd at 7:00 AM ET, while funds last, every project will have a 1.5x match through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation! That means a $10 donation turns into $15, $20 to $30, and so on. Might as well have one up and running on Donors Choose. 

Add your Wish List items to a Registry: I have seen other teachers create a registry for their classroom. After all, it could feel like you are married to your work. Just Kidding!  Once you add a few big purchase items, people can donate money toward those items instead of having to purchase something big from your wish list.

Do you have a favorite place to share your Wish List? Let us know!

What should I put on a Teacher’s Wish List?

Here is my Amazon Storefront! I will continue to add some of my favorite products to it! Check out my Favorite Teacher Supplies.

Supplies: I have been teaching for 17 years and one thing that is a must-have is classroom set supplies! As a matter of fact, I am very protective of my class sets and I teach older students so they last me for years! Think of a classroom set of markers, scissors, colored pencils, glue sticks, and lots of colored paper for different graphic organizers. This year I purchased a class set of folders rather than notebooks because I plan to give out a lot more organizers and handouts. Don’t forget about looking through art supplies too.

Books: Look for not only classroom books and sets but also look for reference books!

Educational Games and Toys: I found some social-emotional games, conversation starters, and team-building games for my oldest students. If you teach younger kids you can get games like Rush Hour to teach kids how to tell Time. 

Technology Tools: If your classroom utilizes technology, consider adding items such as tablets, laptops, or educational software. You can also request accessories like headphones, charging cables, or storage solutions to support your existing devices. I find that I am always needing adapters.

Classroom Organization: Get organized! Bins are great to stay organized. I don’t believe in keeping clutter so after a few years if there are items I didn’t use, I try to pay it forward to other teachers. A quick email to your co-teachers will get supplies shared quickly.

Rewards: I am huge in giving awards and celebrations. Stickers and candy and even snacks are great to fill up your classroom with.

Classroom Decorations: Your classroom environment is so important for students who are spending hours in your classroom. To be honest it was self-care for me too! Having a theme that is inviting and comfortable is great for your students and your soul. Check out some inspiring pictures on websites like Pinterest to get ideas.

I made an Amazon Storefront List of some of my favorite Classroom Items!

Take a look at my wish list if you wish to help out.

Also, if you also do Donor’s Choose read How to Get Your Donors Choose Project Funded.

Planning your first day of school already, I shared my back-to-school icebreakers!

Clear the List 2023 Contests:

We have already seen a lot of contests floating around.  May of them are local brands but I wanted to share a few of my favorites.

1. If you have Lysol on your Wish List you can enter to win $200 off. Enter this Clear the List giveaway here!
2. Submit your list to Get Your Teach On as they also reach out to brands to help clear their list! Add your list here!
3. Book Creator is clearing the list for 3 teachers with $500 to their Amazon Wish List! Enter Here
4. UPDATE: I was one of the many winners! I Won after I shared! You can still sign up below they do giveaways a lot!The one we like is the one on Twitter from one of our favorite brands. Here is what to do:
   1. Sign UP here for the Fetch app. Or type code V1N15MAfter you sign up click on ME and then e-receipts to connect to your Amazon. All the free orders give you points!  This app is a Receipt Scanning App that you can cash out for gift cards including Amazon, Walmart, and more!
   2. Once you have your account you will be given your own code to reply and share your list for the Fetch Giveaway. 
5. The Milwaukee Admirals are wanting to clear some lists! 

If you enjoyed this post remember those little social share buttons always help me out! I will continue to add to this post as long as it is being shared.

If you are a brand also having a giveaway, you would like for me to share please use my contact form.  We only select some giveaways that are national and from brands we are familiar with.  

Psst. If you are a crafter too check out how to make these Cute Magnetic Sheets with your Cricut!