Kick-Start Your Blended Learning Classroom: Must-Have Tools for Success

If you're ready to launch or refresh your blended learning environment, having the right tools on hand can make all the difference. Whether you're creating Future Ready Studios, fostering student ownership, or personalizing instruction, the setup matters.
Below are our favorite go-to items—simple, affordable, and classroom-tested—to support a smooth rollout and sustained engagement in your blended learning classroom.

🎯 Start with the Essentials

Before diving into supplies, make sure you have these two foundational resources:

• The Blended Learning Starter KitDigital - Blended Learning Starter Kit
  Your one-stop resource for checklists, station templates, planning guides, and rollout tips. Designed to help you get started fast—whether you're new to blended learning or ready for a reboot.

• The Field Guide for the 12 Elements of Student Engagement and Ownership
  This must-have book walks you through the research-based framework we use to build self-directed, future-ready learners. Perfect for coaching cycles, PLCs, and classroom implementation.

🛠️ Classroom Tools That Make a Big Impact

Here are the simple tools we love to use to launch studios and support blended learning routines:

• Classroom Timers- Link
  These visual timers help students manage their time in rotations, build independence, and stay on task. We recommend having multiple timers set for each studio.
• Picture Frames for Direction Cards - Link
  Elevate your studio signage with affordable picture frames. Place your laminated studio directions inside so students know exactly what to do.
• Light-Up Lanyards for Studio Experts - Link
  Empower student leaders by giving them light-up lanyards. It’s a fun and functional way to designate studio experts who can help others during rotations.
• Voice Recorders - Link
  Great for fluency practice, reflective learning, or recording instructions. Students can listen back to their own work or leave peer feedback.
• Plastic Sleeves - Link
  Reusable and perfect for any activity sheet, checklist, or rubric. Pair with dry erase markers for instant feedback and low-prep studio activities.
• Zip Bags - Link
  Keep hands-on materials and task cards organized and portable. Color-code bags by level or subject to make differentiation easy.
• Story Cubes - Link
  A fun and flexible way to spark creativity in your writing or reading response studios. They work great for warm-ups, reflections, or collaborative storytelling.

🛍️ Garage Sale Finds: Budget-Friendly Treasures for Your Studios

Blended learning doesn’t have to break the bank—especially when you know where to look! Some of my favorite classroom items have come from unexpected places, like neighborhood garage sales or thrift stores. These finds can turn your studios into inviting, functional, and engaging learning spaces.

Here’s what I always keep an eye out for:

• 🎨 Craft Supplies
  Think pipe cleaners, pom-poms, stickers, markers, glue sticks—you name it. These are perfect for creation activities in your Future Ready Studio, especially when students are building models, posters, or prototypes.
  
• 🎲 Game Pieces & Boards
  Old board games can be repurposed for all sorts of content review or classroom challenges. Dice, spinners, chips, cards, and boards all increase student engagement and add a playful twist to studio learning.
  
• 🪑 Flexible Furniture
  Look for small tables, rolling carts, bean bags, game chairs, stools, or cozy rugs. These pieces help you design comfortable, flexible studio spaces that support student choice and movement.
  

The key? Go in with a creative mindset. A box of mismatched Scrabble tiles could become a spelling challenge. A rug might define the space for a reflection station. Garage sale treasures help you build a rich, hands-on learning environment without spending top dollar.

💡 Final Tip: Set the Tone Early

The right tools help you streamline routines, minimize confusion, and maximize student ownership from the very first week. When students see a well-prepared classroom, they rise to meet the expectations. Start small, stay consistent, and keep evolving.
👉 Ready to get started? Download the Blended Learning Starter Kit, grab a few of these tools, and check out the Field Guide for step-by-step support all year long.
Let’s kick-start your studios with confidence—one station at a time!

👉 Ready to get started? ​

Download the Blended Learning Starter Kit, grab a few of these tools, and check out the Field Guide Field Guidefor step-by-step support all year long.
Let’s kick-start your studios with confidence—one studio at a time!