Essential
supplies will vary depending on the curriculum and grade
level. Many teachers will send home a list of classroom
necessities. In general, however, if you have school‑age
children it’s a good idea to always have the following basic
supplies on hand: dictionary, thesaurus, stapler, pencil
sharpener, erasers, correction fluid, stapler, scissors,
paper clips, clear adhesive tape, masking tape, computer,
printer, ink cartridges, and paper.
According
to the National Retail Federation, the average family will
spend $527.08 on school clothes and supplies this year.
That estimates is $83 over last year’s average of $443.77,
making back‑to‑school time the second biggest
shopping season after Christmas, the federation reported.
The popularity of computer‑related items and other
electronic goods is one reason for the rise in spending.
Computers, laptops, PDAs, MP3 players and cell phones are
on many students’ must‑have lists.
You
might think your pre‑teen child has outgrown the crayons,
markers, and other art and craft supplies, but older children
still do projects that require visual presentations. You
don’t want to find out that your supply closet is empty
the night before a project is due, so keep some materials
in there, too.
Even
those home school students appreciate having a brand new
set of school supplies when moving up to the next grade,
so stock up now while the stores have everything on sale.
Smart
shopping
Are
you looking for ways to save money on back to school shopping?
First, the most important thing is to make a list and stick
to it, thus avoiding impulse purchases. Buy in bulk if you
can, and only buy items that are on sale. Don’t feel that
you have to buy everything new this year if some of last
year’s items are still in good condition. Sell or trade
used books for new books that you may need. Consider having
kids help pay for certain items that they want. Give older
kids a prepaid debit card with a set amount of money. A
debit card can be a great way to teach them how to budget
and spend wisely when shopping for their own clothes and
supplies.
Make
a personalized pencil case
You
will need: a potato chip canister with lid (Pringles brand),
supplies to decorate it (colored construction paper, fancy
wrapping paper, fabric scraps, contact paper, stickers,
paint, buttons, beads, etc.), and glue.
Instructions:
Wash out the can using soap and water; dry completely. Decorate
the outside of the canister. You are only limited by the
supplies you have and your own imagination. Be creative.
(If desired, have an adult punch a hole on each side of
the top of the can. Poke the ends of a ribbon or string
through the holes; knot it on the inside to create a handle.)
Teri
Ann Berg Olsen is a home educator and author of “Learning
for Life: Educational Words of Wisdom.” For more information,
visit www.knowledgehouse.info.
Preschool
to elementary students will need:
pencils,
crayons, pencil and crayon sharpener, eraser, washable markers,
safety scissors, white glue, glue stick, colored construction
paper, drawing paper, notebooks, pocket folders, lined penmanship
paper, math manipulatives, chalk, lunch tote, and magazines
with colorful pictures to cut out for collages
Middle
to High School will need:
pens,
mechanical pencils, colored pencils, fine‑line markers,
highlighters, ruler, scientific calculator, package of No.
2 pencils, graph paper, three‑ring binders, spiral
notebooks (one for each subject), lined loose‑leaf
paper, pocket folders, assignment book/appointment calendar,
composition notebooks, journal, wristwatch, book bag or
backpack.
