Learning Resources in the Classroom: FAQ From Someone Who's Made the Ordering Mistakes

Why I Wrote This

After 11 years of handling classroom supply orders—and documenting every mistake—I'm the person who trains new teachers on what to buy and what to skip. I've personally made 14 significant ordering mistakes, totaling roughly $4,800 in wasted budget. (note to self: don't do that again). In Q1 2024, after the third rejected purchase order for the same confusion, I finally put our team's checklist together. This FAQ is that checklist in article form.

The questions below are the ones teachers actually ask me, plus a few searches that show up in our order log. No hype, no universal best-buy list. Just what I've learned from ordering wrong, and what I'd tell a new teacher before they spend money.

Are Learning Resources a Good Fit for Classroom STEM Learning Resources?

Most of the time, yes. I use Learning Resources math manipulatives, measuring tools, STEM kits, and classroom whiteboards across K-5. The brand has been around for 40+ years, and their classroom STEM learning resources are designed for hands-on, reusable use. According to Learning Resources (learningresources.com), the goal is to make hands-on learning part of real classroom routines, not just occasional specials.

That said, there's no universal yes. If you teach high school physics and need lab-grade sensors, a pretend play set isn't going to help. If your district is fully digital and students don't have storage space for kits, physical manipulatives won't make sense. I recommend Learning Resources when you need tactile, durable, reusable supplies. If that's not your situation, skip them without guilt.

What Should a New Teacher Buy First?

Start with what you'll use at least twice a week. Here's the short list I give every new teacher:

• Math manipulatives: counting bears, base ten blocks, or algebra tiles 30-set for middle school.
• Measurement tools: tape measures and school rulers. Kids lose them, so buying extras is a no-brainer.
• Double-sided dry erase boards and markers for quick checks and whole-class responses.
• Pretend play school set if you teach PreK or Kindergarten.

One thing I've learned the hard way: don't buy a big STEM classroom bundle until you've read the components list. What most people don't realize is that some classroom stem learning resources kits mix popular high-use items with filler. In 2017, I almost ordered a 30-set of fraction manipulatives for a first-grade room. So glad I checked the contents first. That would've been $350 wasted plus a one-week delay while we reordered.

Also, don't assume a catalog photo tells you the size. I once ordered a set of play tape measures that looked plenty big in the photo. The actual tape measures were too small for whole-class measuring. That's the kind of thing you catch only after unboxing everything.

Is the Learning Resources Shining Stars Projector Worth It?

This is one of those products that depends entirely on grade level. The learning resources shining stars projector is a light exploration projector for early childhood, not a replacement for a document camera or overhead projector.

I used one in a kindergarten space unit and it was a hit. It made a calming corner in our classroom during free play, and the kids talked about stars for weeks. But if your goal is to project worksheets onto a whiteboard for whole-class instruction, it isn't that tool. That's not a flaw; it's a different purpose. I recommend it for preschool through first grade, and only if you have budget left after basics. If you teach older students, put your money into a document camera instead.

Honest limitation: it's an engagement tool, not a standards-aligned lesson. If you need a projector to support explicit teaching, don't let the word projector confuse you.

What Is a CPM Calculator and Do I Need One?

A CPM calculator usually means cost per mille, or cost per thousand impressions. It's an advertising and pricing tool, not an educational one. In schools, it comes up when you need to compare the cost of printed materials, community announcements, or ad space.

The formula is simple: CPM = (total cost / total impressions) x 1000. If you're ordering Learning Resources supplies, you don't need a CPM calculator. But if you're a school admin running a campaign, it can help you compare vendors on an even basis. (As of March 2025, any online cpm calculator will give the same result; the math hasn't changed.)

Here's something vendors won't tell you: quoting by CPM can make a small ad seem cheaper than it is. Always compare the total cost, not just the rate.

What Is an RVU Calculator and Why Do People Search for It?

RVU stands for relative value unit. It's a healthcare billing metric used to measure the value of medical services, especially in Medicare payment and physician productivity. Teachers don't use RVUs to buy crayons or calculators.

If you work in a school-based health clinic or handle special education billing, you might need an rvu calculator for cost tracking. In that case, check current Medicare rules because the conversion factor changes every year. But for classroom math supplies, an RVU calculator is a red flag on a purchase order. Our district rejects those by default.

I've also seen a common mix-up: someone types RVU calculator when they actually need a graphing calculator for a high school math class. If that's you, the answer is not an RVU calculator. You're looking for a standard graphing calculator or an approved app. The old assumption that every student needs a dedicated calculator comes from an era before phones and school-issued devices. That conversation has changed; now it's about what test rules allow.

How to Set Up a Printer for Classroom Supplies and Worksheets

Before you print labels for your new manipulatives, set up the printer so it doesn't eat your paper. Here's the short version I give to new staff:

1. Place it on a flat, stable surface. Vibrations from a shaky table cause paper feed problems.
2. Load the paper tray with Letter size (8.5 x 11 inches). Adjust the paper guides so they just touch the stack. Too tight or too loose causes jams.
3. Connect it: USB or Wi-Fi. Use the printer's own menu or your computer's settings. If you're on a school network, you may need help from your tech person.
4. Download the current driver from the manufacturer's website. Don't trust a random pop-up that says driver update.
5. Print a test page. If text is faint, check toner and print resolution. For crisp worksheets, use 300 DPI at final size (the industry standard for print).

Most printer setup problems aren't hardware failures. They're paper guide mistakes. The second most common problem is printing on the wrong paper size. Set the default to Letter, and check that the tray is set to Letter too.

What Should You Buy in Bulk and What Should You Wait On?

Buy in bulk: tape measures, school rulers, dry erase markers, whiteboards, and basic counting manipulatives for K-2. These get used and lost all year, so having backup stock is a no-brainer.

Wait on: themed kits, projectors, electronic gadgets, and 30-packs of anything that only serves one lesson. I know the catalogue looks tempting. But your future self doesn't need 30 unused pretend cash registers. (I really should have followed this rule earlier in my career.)

One more tip: test one item before buying a class set. Most school suppliers let you return unopened items, but it's easier to stumble across a problem with one piece than with 30. Bottom line: there's no single best brand for every classroom. The right order depends on grade level, teaching style, space, and budget. Buy what fits your students, skip what doesn't, and check the components list before hitting approve.