Like it or not, the return of school is drawing near and big box stores everywhere are promoting their back-to-school gear. It’s enough to make this teacher momma want to cry! While the beginning of the year is always buzzing with excitement, seeing those signs everywhere with several more weeks of summer remaining drive me a little batty…we don’t start until after Labor Day, but I know many school systems across the country start well before then, so I thought I’d give you a little insight into those school supply lists since many of you might actually need those supplies soon!

This year, I’ll be tackling the school supply list from the parent side as Lil’ CB heads into the world of Kindergarten. Here’s a list I complied from a few neighborhood schools to give you an idea of what we’re being asked to send into school with our new kindergartner:

  • 2 boxes of 24 regular size crayons, Crayola brand only
  • 1 boxes of colored pencils, Crayola brand only
  • 1 4oz bottle of white, Elmer’s glue with a pointed orange top
  • 10 glue sticks
  • 1 packages of washable markers (any size, any colors)
  • 4 dry erase, chisel tip, LOW ODOR black markers, Expo brand
  • 1 package 3×3 sticky notes (Post-its)
  • 1 pair Fiskar brand, plain blunt-tip metal scissors (children’s size)
  • 1 box gallon size Ziploc bags
  • 1 box quart size Ziploc bags
  • 1 box facial tissues
  • 1 package of #2 standard size Ticonderoga Brand pencils
  • 1 LARGE backpack (no wheels )
  • 1 bath towel for rest time 
  • 1 12 oz bottle of sanitizing hand gel – girls
  • 1 container of disinfecting wipes – boys

A lot on this list is probably self-explanatory, but having a bit of an inside scoop, I thought I’d tackle some questions, especially about the less “standard” supplies that are on this list.

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Why specific brand names?

In Kindergarten, we share almost all of our supplies in a community manner. Each table will get a tub filled with several boxes of crayons and similar tubs filled with lots of other supplies. This eliminates having to keep track of individual sets (which is big because we don’t have desks) and promotes sharing and problem-solving. Because of this, it’s helpful if all of the supplies are the same brand to eliminate any conflict or fighting over different brands. Also, not to be a supply snob, but the listed brands tend to be the best quality!

 What’s with all the glue sticks?

As you can imagine, when working with 20+ Kindergartners, glue sticks are way easier and less messy than liquid glue. And, as you can also imagine, as much as we remind our kiddos that “A little dot does a lot!,” they can be a little over zealous with their glue sticking. And finally, as much as we also remind them to close the caps all the way, at least one kiddo will forget. So we go through them very quickly! We do try to make the most of them, though, and often save the caps to be used for other projects or as math manipulatives.

Why do Kindergartners need dry erase markers and sticky notes?

Rather than using pencil and paper all the time, we do a lot of work on individual dry erase boards. They’re such great tools for whole class and small group work and reduce so much paper waste. We ask for them to be low odor because inevitably, the kids will try and smell the funky smelling bold colored markers, which, as you know, aren’t good for you!

The sticky notes come in handy when teaching children about using different comprehension strategies, like visualizing, questioning, summarizing and synthesizing. They’re a great way to get a snapshot of what the kids are thinking about and to teach them to keep track of their thoughts while reading.

What are the Ziploc bags for?

Believe it or not, Ziploc bags are the most versatile items on this list! We use them for a ton of different reasons in the classroom: classroom book baggies for independent reading; take-home book baggies; storing students’ magnets for our learning stations board; makeshift lunch bags when ones brought from home break or get wonky after a spill; sending home soiled clothes (accidents happen!); storing leftover supplies after a project; storing leftover snacks or lunches; housing small paper pieces in the middle of project, etc, etc, etc. Ever since I started teaching, I’ve come to view and appreciate this gem of plastic in a whole new way!

Why do you need all those personal supplies like tissues, sanitizer, and wipes?

While our classrooms are always stocked with soap, paper towels, toilet paper etc., we don’t have funds to supply every classroom with additional items for personal hygiene. Couple that with with kids that are still perfecting the art of blowing noses neatly, and you can see why we need the tissues and the hand sanitizer (also works in a jiffy when we don’t have time for 24 kids to wash their hands) and also the wipes for extra cleaning!

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Though lists like these make school supply shopping a little less exciting (gosh, how I loved picking out new Trapper Keepers!), they definitely make sure each student brings in exactly what is needed for the year. And, please, please, please know that if you are unable to purchase all of these supplies for financial or other reasons, most schools offer help in various forms — talk to the school’s guidance counselor or social worker for more information.

What school supplies will you be buying for your LO?