Don’t waste your money on feather pencils, light-up pencil sharpeners, or pretty erasers that don’t work, teachers say.
No. 2 pencils (Stick with the classic to avoid classroom competition.) Start with a pack of 12.
Large pink eraser
Ballpoint pens
Box of crayons (Teachers recommend buying a 16-pack for younger kids, more for older ones.)
Water-based markers
Spiral-bound or composition notebooks*
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.)
*Kindergarteners may not need notebooks and paper yet. Check the teacher’s list.
Expensive folders with multiple pockets and zippers are often too bulky to fit in desks. Better to stick with more streamlined (and cheaper) models.
Three-ring binder*
Pocket folders* (If you get a folder with two pockets, label one “keep at home” and the other “bring back to school” to help your child organize his papers.)
Pencil Pouch for storing pencils, erasers and a sharpener.
Highlighters* (These are probably unnecessary for kids in kindergarten through second grade.)
Index cards, ruled and unruled (for making flash cards)
A sturdy, supportive backpack (Some schools do not permit rolling backpacks because of space considerations, so check with your school before purchasing one.)
*Kindergarteners may not need folders and binders or highlighters yet. Check the teacher’s list.
Dioramas and other 3-D projects provide a hands-on learning experience for students. Most teachers recommend having these items available:
Drawing paper
Construction paper
Ruler with English and metric measurements
Glue sticks (Some teachers prefer white to purple.)
A 4 ounce bottle of white glue
Scotch tape
Stapler (best is a mini stapler for last minute stapling emergencies. And it fits in the box.)
Scissors (blunt ended for younger kids, pointed for older ones)
Watercolor paints