It is now the most exciting time for everybody – the school is starting, teachers, parents and kids are all getting ready for the new school year! Most of the time, a child receives a supply list from school and knows what to shop. Sometimes we need a little bit help especially for a subject which may or may not be taught in the school. Here you are, we have come up with a Back to School Mandarin Chinese Studies Supply List. Hopefully it is going to be useful for teachers, parents and kids!

For sure, a child needs pencils, erasers, binders, paper and other common stationery items. Here I will list some items which are not sepcific for Mandarin Chinese learning:

STATIONERY FOR MANDARIN CHINESE LEARNING

Chinese Character Practice Book – Tian Ge Ben Notebook

Chinese characters are built on strokes—and stroke order matters. A traditional Tian Ge Ben notebook (田格本) has small grid squares that guide students through correct character formation. Unlike regular lined paper, each square teaches proper spacing, proportion, and stroke balance.

A student using a Tian Ge Ben learns not just the character, but how to draw it. This builds muscle memory and confidence. Over time, characters become automatic, freeing mental energy for meaning and usage.

What to look for: 100+ pages, 0.4-inch grids (good for upper elementary and up). Some versions include pinyin rows for comparison.

Here is one example of CHINESE CHARACTER WRITING PRACTICE NOTEBOOK TIANZIGE from Amazon.

There are more different types of Chinese writing practice notebooks, good for different stages of learning. Have a look if you want to see what they are and find out product recommendation.

Erasable Pens

Mistakes happen. Erasable pens let students write, erase, and rewrite on the same page without tearing the paper or creating a messy erasure. This is especially useful for:

• Practicing character writing before committing to pen
• Homework assignments (students revise without wasting paper)
• Quick drills in class

A pack of 10 erasable pens ensures every student has their own. They’re also useful for teachers marking up student work, then erasing to reuse the worksheet.

Why erasable over regular pencil? Erasing pencil smudges and weakens paper; erasable pens lift cleanly and create sharper lines.

Refillable Erasable Pen Pack (10 count) — Quick drying, smooth ink, good for repetitive practice.

Blank Flash Cards with Binder Rings

Blank flashcards let you create custom cards: pinyin on one side, character + English on the other. Binder rings keep related cards (same lesson, same HSK level, same theme) together. You can expand or shrink decks easily.

Pro tip: Laminate finished flashcards (see Laminator section below) so students can write tone marks on them with dry-erase markers, then erase and reuse.

These blank flash cards are excellent for making flash cards for Mandarin Chinese vocabulary. The cards are small, perfect to carry around. The binder rings are easy to group and keep relevant cards together. It is easy to organize the cards by adding or removing cards.

Blank paper Business Cards Word Card

These cards have a nice weight and are plain white. One side is semi-glossy, the other side is uncoated. They are perfect for Chinese vocabulary study.

CLASSROOM | HOME SUPPLIES FOR MANDARIN CHINESE LEARNING

Calendar

Desk | Wall Calendar 2026-2027

We all need a good calendar. This Desk Calendar is large enough to be placed on an office desk. 22″ x 17″ Large Desk Pad Calendar Runs from July 2026 to December 2027.

This visual calendar is great for routines in a Chinese classroom or a home schooling settings. It is printable, you can laminate them and use them many times.

Pocket Charts

A pocket chart holds sentence strips, flashcards, and word cards in clear view. Use pocket charts to:

Display the daily vocabulary word with pinyin, English translation, and an image
Show a sentence stem and let students fill in blanks (“我喜欢___。I like ___.”)
Display a word wall organized by topic (Animals | Food | Feelings)
Create a visual schedule with Chinese labels

The pockets are deep enough to hold 3-inch sentence strips and standard flashcards.

10-Pocket Standard Pocket Chart for Classroom & Homeschool

This pocket chart is very useful for teaching children simple words and sentences in Chinese. The 10 clear pockets are designed to fit all standard 3-inch sentence strips, word wall cards, letter cards, and flashcards.

Daily Schedule Pocket Chart with 18 Dry-Eraser Cards

Daily Schedule Pocket Chart are ideal for classroom and home using. Display your daily schedule, to do list, words of the day, etc. There are 13+1 Pockets, 13 Full size film pocket for regular schedule cards, 1 bottom tool pocket for cards not in use and markers and extras.

Dry Erase Items

The shift to reusable, dry-erase materials cuts paper waste and stretches a tight budget. Dry-erase boards, markers, and pockets are workhorses in any classroom.

Dry Erase Lapboard Classroom Set

A classroom set of small whiteboards (one per student) enables whole-class interactive practice:

• Teacher calls out a character; students write it on their board and hold it up. Instant feedback.
• Students solve a character-building puzzle or tone-matching exercise on their board.
• Low-pressure practice; mistakes are erased in seconds.

The set includes 26 boards, 26 markers, and 26 erasers—one per student in a typical small class or homeschoo

Dry Erase Pockets

These Oversized Reusable Dry Erase Pocket Sleeves with 2 Rings pockets can be used to store letter sized paper with the ability to write on them with dray erase markers. As we educate our children about environment sustainability, we need to find ways to minimize paper waste. This pack of reusable dry erase packets are good for classroom organization and group class work. The rings help keeping the sleeves together.

EXPO Low-Odor Dry Erase Markers

Quality matters. Low-odor markers are safer for young students and less distracting in a confined classroom. Fine-tip markers create sharp, legible lines—important when writing detailed characters with many strokes.

EXPO Low-Odor Dry-Erase Markers (12 count, black, chisel tip) — Consistent ink flow, skip-free writing on any non-porous surface (whiteboards, plastic, laminated paper).

Self Adhesive Dry Erase Board Roll

Sometimes we wish to be able to write on any surface, for a quick note, to explain something and so on. This board self adhesive dray erase roll system makes it easy and convenient to create a dray ease surface on any flat surface. Surfaces include wood, drywall, metal, plastic, brick, marble and more. It is perfect for home and school projects, reminders, coaching, chore charts, making lists, drawing, playing games and much more.

Calligraphy Items

Chinese calligraphy (毛笔字, máo bǐ zì) isn’t just art—it’s cultural immersion. When students hold a brush, grind ink, and practice strokes on Xuan paper, they’re connecting to thousands of years of Chinese artistic tradition. Even 15 minutes of calligraphy practice per week shifts students’ relationship with characters from “symbols to write” to “art to create.”

Wolf Hair Chinese Calligraphy Brush

When leaning Chinese, Chinese calligraphy is a fun and necessary activity. To practice Chinese calligraphy, we need good brushes, paper and ink. This set of brushes are made of wolf hair and wood handle. They are great for beginners to start Chinese calligraphy.

Wolf Hair Calligraphy Brush Set for Beginners — Multiple brush sizes, wood handles, good for absolute beginners through intermediate practice.

Chinese Calligraphy Black Ink

Liquid ink is easier than ink sticks for classroom use (no grinding required; less setup time). A quality ink is deep black, flows smoothly, and dries without bleeding through Xuan paper.

Black Sumi Ink (8.45 oz, heritage brand) — Professional-grade, used by calligraphers and artists. Small bottle lasts a full semester.

Chinese Calligraphy Writing Practice Paper (Xuan Paper)

Xuan paper (宣紙, xuān zhǐ), also called “rice paper,” is made from bamboo fiber using traditional methods. The surface has a subtle texture that responds beautifully to brush and ink. Water-resistant coating allows for multiple washes and rewrites.

Grids guide character placement and size. Standard grids work for adult-sized characters; smaller grids for compact handwriting.

Xuan Paper Calligraphy Practice Pad (grid, multiple sizes) — Traditional, affordable, ideal for classroom use. One pad lasts an entire class through a unit on calligraphy.

CLASSROOM ORGANIZATION & DISPLAY

Wall & Bulletin Board Display

Your classroom walls teach. When walls display characters, vocabulary, student work, and cultural posters, every inch of space reinforces language learning.

Bulletin Board Trim & Push Pins

Frame your vocabulary displays and student work with colorful trim. Push pins hold papers securely without tape.

Bulletin Board Trim Set 

Push Pins with Wooden Clips

Organization & Storage

Clear Plastic Bins with Labels (Set of 4–6)

Organize flashcards, worksheets, and materials by:

• HSK level (HSK 1, HSK 2, HSK 3)
• Lesson number
• Theme (Animals | Foods | Feelings)

Clear Plastic Storage Bins (12–15 qt, stackable) 

Hanging File Organizer (12slots)

Teachers accumulate handouts, worksheets, answer keys, and lesson plans. A hanging file organizer keeps them sorted by lesson or unit. Portable for teachers who move between classrooms.

Hanging File Organizer

Assessment & Engagement Tools

Visual Timer

Timed speaking practice, timed writing drills, and timed pair work all benefit from a visual timer students can see. As time counts down, the colored display shrinks, creating urgency and focus.

Time Timer (Visual Timer) — Kids watch time; no surprises.

Reward Chart with Stickers

Motivation is visual. A chart where each student marks off mastered characters (or HSK levels, or vocabulary themes) with a sticker creates positive peer pressure and celebrates milestones.

Incentive Reward Chart for Students

Reward Stickers Set – panda design

Audio & Listening Tools

Kids’ Headphones (Bulk Classroom Set)

Listening comprehension requires audio. If your class uses online lessons, audio drills, or pronunciation models, headphones let each student hear clearly without disturbing others.

Kids’ Headphones (bulk set of 12, colorful, durable)

PRODUCTION & PREPARATION TOOLS

Laminator & Laminating Pouches

Lamination is an investment that pays back tenfold. Laminate:

• Flashcards (reusable with dry-erase markers)
• Vocabulary posters (durable, washable)
• Stroke-order guides (survive repeated classroom use)
• Student worksheets (use once, laminate, reuse with different classes)

A small thermal laminator heats quickly and handles letter-sized and smaller items.Scotch PRO Thermal Laminator (TL906, with 100-pack pouches) — Heats up in 30 seconds, smooth lamination, quiet operation

Paper Cutter/Trimmer

You’ll cut hundreds of flashcards, sentence strips, and materials. A quality paper cutter with a security blade and foldable ruler cuts straight lines safely. A4-sized trimmers fit letter-sized paper and make quick work of bulk cutting.
A4 Paper Cutter Slider Trimmer (with foldable ruler, safety blade) — Essential for classroom supply prep.

Chinese Vocabulary Notebook

A Large Notebook for Chinese Language Students and Enthusiasts to Write Down New Characters and Relevant Information for new Chinese vocabulary.

 

Note: this article contains Amazon affiliate products. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a Tian Ge Ben notebook, and why do students need it?

Tian Ge Ben (田格本) is a grid-based practice notebook where each square guides one character. Unlike blank paper, the grids teach stroke order, spacing, and proportions. Students who practice with Tian Ge Ben develop neater handwriting and stronger muscle memory for character formation faster than those using regular paper.

How do dry-erase supplies help Chinese language teaching?

Dry-erase boards, pockets, and markers enable whole-class interactive practice. Students write characters or answers on individual whiteboards and hold them up for instant feedback. Teachers can laminate and reuse worksheets with dry-erase markers, cutting paper waste and costs. Reusable tools make practice less precious and more playful.

What’s the difference between Xuan paper and regular paper for calligraphy?

Xuan paper (rice paper) is made from bamboo fiber and has a slightly textured surface that responds beautifully to brush and ink, allowing for nuanced line variation and ink diffusion. Regular paper absorbs ink unevenly and doesn’t reward skilled brushwork the same way. Xuan paper makes even beginner calligraphy look intentional and beautiful.

Do I need to buy calligraphy supplies for my classroom?

Calligraphy connects students to Chinese culture and tradition. Even 1–2 sessions per semester (30 minutes each) help students see characters not as symbols to memorize, but as art to create. It’s a powerful cultural anchor, but optional if budget is tight. Prioritize character practice notebooks and flashcards first.

Why are flashcards with binder rings better than loose flashcards?

Rings keep flashcards organized by lesson, HSK level, or theme. Students and teachers can easily add, remove, or reorder cards. Rings also make flashcard sets portable for home study and less likely to scatter. Once cards are laminated, they’re durable enough for a decade of use—a true long-term investment.

How do I choose between Amazon links (US/CA/UK)?

All products in this guide are available on Amazon US by default (amzn.to links). Canadian teachers can search the same product names on Amazon.ca. UK and European teachers can often find local equivalents through Staples UK, The Works, or specialist art suppliers. Message us if you’d like specific European recommendations.

What should I prioritize if my budget is limited?

Start with (1) Tian Ge Ben practice notebooks, (2) blank flashcards + binder rings, (3) dry-erase boards + markers, (4) erasable pens. These four items cover 80% of daily classroom needs. Add a pocket chart and calendar in month two. Calligraphy and advanced organization tools are supplements, not essentials.

Can I use regular pencils instead of erasable pens?

Yes, but erasable pens have advantages: cleaner erasures (no smudging), less paper damage, better for practicing handwriting repeatedly on the same page. If your budget is very tight, quality pencils work; erasable pens are a nice upgrade.

FREQUENTLY BOUGHT TOGETHER (By Use Case)

For a New Heritage Classroom (K–2):

• Tian Ge Ben Practice Notebook
• Blank Flashcards + Binder Rings
• Pocket Chart
• Dry-Erase Boards (classroom set)
• EXPO Markers
• Calendar
• Label Maker + Labels
• Reward Charts

an Elementary Chinese Program (Grades 3–5):

• Advanced Grid Practice Notebook
• Flashcard Set
• Daily Schedule Pocket Chart
• Reward Charts
• Laminator + Pouches
• Paper Cutter
• Character Stroke-Order Poster
• Calligraphy Brush Set + Ink + Xuan Paper

a Middle/High School Heritage Class:

• Character Radical Reference Workbook
• Mixed Bilingual Practice Notebook
• Visual Timer (for timed speaking/writing drills)
• Self-Adhesive Dry-Erase Board Roll

NEXT STEPS

For Teachers

Building an effective classroom is about strategy, not just shopping. The supplies on this list work best when paired with:

• Clear learning objectives (what should students be able to do by month 3?)
• Consistent routines (character practice happens every day at 8:30 AM)
• Meaningful assessment (not just “did students practice?” but “are students retaining characters?”)
• Join the Chinese Teaching Made Easy Membership for lesson plans, classroom activity templates, and routines that turn these supplies into systems.

For Parents

If you’re homeschooling or supporting heritage learning at home:

• Start with Tian Ge Ben + erasable pens + flashcards
• Add a pocket chart to display daily vocabulary
• Create a visual schedule in Chinese

RESOURCES

• Chinese Hanyu Pinyin Syllables Table Poster -This Hanyu pinyin syllables Table poster serves as a quick reference for Chinese students as well as an educational decoration for a classroom or the study room at home.
• 6 Types of Practice Paper Useful for Learning Chinese Writing – 6 types of practice paper for Chinese learning that help kids progress writing at each stage.
• Chinese Classroom Setup Pack – Save hours decorating your Chinese classroom. This printable pack includes everything you need: bilingual welcome signs, labels, rules posters, reward charts, and certificates. Print instantly. Set up in an afternoon.
• Chinese Visual Calendar for Kids – Chinese visual calendar for kids invites children to interact by providing important information of the day as a routine in Chinese.
• Chinese Visual Dictionaries for Kids –  Dictionaries are essential tools for mastering any language, and for young learners, visual  dictionaries are a game-changer.
• Top Chinese Textbooks for Children – a list of selected, highly-regarded Chinese  textbooks for children based on the audience and learning outcome.
• Chinese Teaching Lesson Plans – All you need to deliver no-prep engaging Chinese lessons, with plans, accompanying teaching and learning materials.
• Leveled Chinese Reading Books for Beginners – leveled Chinese reading books that help kids develop their Chinese reading skills.
• Chinese Vocabulary Made Easy Course — Build a systematic vocabulary curriculum
• Speak Chinese with Kids — 13 lessons + 390 sentences for natural conversational practice

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