A School Supply List to Get You Started
It's that time of year again! You know the first day of school is around the corner when practically every store is offering "back to school" specials. What's the smart way to shop for school supplies that is also cost efficient?
Teachers usually indicate what specific supplies they require. Public schools provide workbooks, pencils, erasers, markers and paint for the class, however, these supplies have a way of disappearing quickly!
One way to take advantage of sales is to stick to writing and organization essentials. Here is a list of basics that will get your child started.
glue sticks- (about 3 for the year)
scissors- blunt ended for young children
ballpoint pens- erasable pens are helpful for elementary students
regular pencils- (start with 12)- note: young children grip wider pencils more easily
erasers- the old-fashioned pink ones work best
a small ruler
colored pencils
crayons for young children
pencil grip- if your child is having trouble with pencil grip
markers- thick and thin- younger children use thicker markers more easily
Sharpie marker for labeling
MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
organizer or calendar for scheduling assignments
2 combination locks
binder dividers- (the kind with pockets are helpful for loose papers)
several 3-ring binders
a pencil case that fits in the binder
index cards- ruled and unruled
calculator- check with the math teacher before investing in an expensive calculator - graphing calculators are required in some middle schools
ORGANIZATIONAL TIPS
Many students of all ages require more specific organizational support with their school supplies. Establishing routines for managing and organizing papers, time-management tools and keeping track of assignments are essentially important to establish from day one!
Here are some helpful tips:
- Middle school students can use locker organizers which really do help keep belongings and school supplies tidy and organized
- color coordinate binders and folders; much easier to find in a stuffed locker
- an agenda, either paper or electronic has to have enough room for the student to enter assignments and dates effectively- check with the teachers about the use of electronic organizers
- paper- many young children benefit from wider-lined paper with margins to assist their handwriting; larger-squared graphing paper notebooks or single sheets are very useful for organizing numbers on a page
- binder paper- buy reinforced, thicker binder paper. It is a bit more costly but is guaranteed not to fall out of a binder
- label lunch bags, containers, backpacks, clothing, calculators, computers, agendas and uniforms
Use the shopping trip for school supplies as a practical math lesson. Great practice for estimating, computation and problem-solving. Literacy skills are also reinforced reading flyers and making lists prior to shopping.