How many pencils and markers does a classroom need?

Teachers ask us the same question every August: how many? Here is our rule of thumb by class size and by how your room shares supplies.

Group	Pick	How it is packed	Shelf
Small group, up to 12	12-pack colored pencils (144)	Own box per child	Colored Pencils in Bulk
Typical class, about 30	30-pack colored pencils (360)	Own box per child	Colored Pencils in Bulk
Class plus reserve	36-pack colored pencils (432)	Six spare boxes	Colored Pencils in Bulk
Shared tables	240-count pencils or markers	Sorted by colour	Washable Markers & Highlighters
Whole grade	336-count washable markers	28 of every colour	Washable Markers & Highlighters

Own box or shared tray?

Own boxes teach responsibility and travel home in backpacks. Shared trays are faster to set up and easier to restock: the blue that runs out first gets replaced alone.

Keep a reserve

New students arrive, boxes get lost. A few spare sets save a mid-year reorder.

Markers for the little ones

Washable markers are the safest choice for preschool and kindergarten. Keep highlighters for older students who are colour-coding notes.