what I need for school
What’s the smart way to shop for school supplies? Eliminate the
guesswork by getting a list from your child’s teacher ahead of time or
waiting until school starts to find out what’s actually required. The
teacher may recommend specific brands, sizes, or quantities, but even if
the list isn’t available, you can still take advantage of
back-to-school sales (many states offer “
tax-free days”
during this season) by sticking to the basics recommended below. And
remember, you can’t go wrong with tools that help kids get — and stay —
organized.
The basics
When it comes to writing essentials, teachers say, don't waste your
money on feather pencils, light-up pencil sharpeners, or pretty erasers
that don't work. And for organizational helpers, keep in mind that
expensive folders with multiple pockets and zippers are often too bulky
to fit in desks. Better to stick with more streamlined (and cheaper)
models.
Glue sticks (at least three for the year)
Scissors (blunt ended for younger kids, pointed for older ones)
Ballpoint pens
No. 2 pencils (Stick with this classic to
avoid classroom competition over whose writing utensil is the coolest —
or most impractical.)
Colored pencils
A pencil sharpener (hand-held with a top to collect shavings)
A large pink eraser (The old-fashioned ones do the best erasing.)
Water-based markers
A four-ounce bottle of white glue
Highlighters (These are probably unnecessary for kids in kindergarten through second grade.)
Spiral-bound or composition notebooks
A three-ring binder
Loose-leaf notebook paper (Teachers can be
picky about paper. Schools usually supply specially ruled handwriting
paper to help younger children with letter formation. Older children use
wide-ruled paper, and some middle school students will need the
college-ruled variety.)
Pocket folders (If you get a folder with two
pockets, label one "keep at home" and the other "bring to school" to
help your child organize his papers.)
Printer paper and ink cartridges (for your home computer)
A ruler with English and metric measurements
Scotch tape
A stapler
A sturdy,
supportive backpack
(Some schools do not permit rolling backpacks because of space
considerations, so check with your school before purchasing one.)
Extras for elementary school students
A box of crayons (Get a 16-pack for younger kids, more for older ones.)
Watercolor paints
Drawing paper
Construction paper
A box for storing items (Teachers recommend
one that's eight inches long by five inches wide by two inches deep to
hold pencils, crayons, erasers, and scissors.)
Extras for middle school students
A calendar for scheduling assignments
Two combination locks (If the school lockers
do not have built-in locks, your child might need one for the hallway
and one for the gym.)
Binder dividers (The kinds with pockets are good for loose papers.)
Several three-ring binders (Some teachers require that a binder be used exclusively for their class.)
Folders that fit in binders
A small notebook to record assignments
A pencil case that fits in binders
Red-ink pens (Some teachers have students do peer editing.)
Index cards, ruled and unruled (These are great for making flash cards.)
A calculator (Check with the math teacher
first before investing in an expensive calculator. Graphing calculators,
for example, are required in some middle school math classes. Teachers
advise parents not to buy a calculator with more functions than your
students will use.