Back to School Supplies Checklist!

Back to School Supplies Checklist!

It’s that time of year again – the kids are heading back to school! Whether you have a kindergartener or a high school senior, preparing for the new school year can be an exciting but daunting task. Between shopping for clothes, shoes, and the myriad of school supplies needed, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

To help make this transition a smooth one, we’ve put together an extensive back to school supplies checklist to ensure you don’t forget anything. From the basics like pencils and notebooks to more specialized items, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to make sure you have everything on your list before the first day of school.

Back to School Supplies Checklist: – 1

1.Firstly,General Supplies

Let’s start with the essentials – the basic school supplies that every student needs, regardless of grade level.

• Backpack or bookbag
• Lunchbox/Thermos
• Water bottle
• Binder (1-2 inch rings)
• Notebook paper (college or wide-ruled)
• Dividers for binder
• Pencils (wooden, mechanical, or erasable)
• Pens (black, blue, and red)
• Highlighters
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Ruler
• Eraser
• Pencil case or pouch

These general supplies will be used across multiple subjects and classes. Make sure to get a good quality backpack that is comfortable to carry and has enough room for all of your child’s belongings. A sturdy lunchbox and reusable water bottle are also essentials for the school day.

Binders are great for keeping papers and handouts organized, and you’ll want to make sure to stock up on plenty of notebook paper and dividers. Wooden, mechanical, and erasable pencils are all good options, and don’t forget the pens in multiple colors. Highlighters are useful for marking important information, and scissors, glue, rulers, and erasers round out the basic supply list.

Back to School Supplies Checklist: – 2

2.Secondly,Subject-Specific Supplies

In addition to the general supplies, there may be some more specialized items needed for certain subject areas or grade levels. Here’s a breakdown of what to get:

English/Language Arts
• Composition notebook
• Index cards
• Sticky notes
• Thesaurus and/or dictionary

Math
• Graph paper
• Protractor
• Compass
• Scientific calculator (for older students)

Science
• Lab notebook
• Safety goggles
• Dissection kit (for biology)

Social Studies
• Atlas or map
• Colored pencils

Art
• Sketchbook
• Drawing pencils (2H, HB, 2B, etc.)
• Acrylic or watercolor paints
• Paintbrushes
• Colored pencils or markers

Music
• Notebook or folder for sheet music
• Pencil for marking music

For English and language arts classes, in addition to the general supplies, consider getting a composition notebook for journaling or in-class writing assignments. Index cards are great for creating flashcards, and sticky notes can be used to mark important passages in books. A thesaurus and dictionary are also handy references.

In math, you’ll want graph paper for plotting points and drawing figures. A protractor and compass may be needed for geometry. And for high school math, a scientific calculator is usually required.

Science classes often require a dedicated lab notebook for recording observations and data. Safety goggles are a must for any hands-on lab work, and biology students may need a dissection kit.

Social studies courses can benefit from having an atlas or map on hand, as well as some colored pencils for shading and labeling.

For art classes, a sketchbook, drawing pencils in a variety of leads, paint, and brushes will be essential. Colored pencils or markers are also great to have.

Music students will need a notebook or folder to store sheet music, and a pencil for marking up the music as needed.

Back to School Supplies Checklist: – 3

3.Thirdly,Technology Needs

In today’s tech-driven world, many schools are incorporating more digital learning tools and devices into the curriculum. Here are some technology-related items that may be on your back to school list:

• Laptop or Chromebook
• Tablet or iPad
• Stylus
• Headphones or earbuds
• USB drive/flash drive
• Charging cables

More and more schools are moving towards 1:1 technology programs, where each student is issued a laptop or Chromebook to use for schoolwork. If this is the case for your child’s school, make sure you understand any requirements or recommendations around the type of device needed.

Even if a device isn’t provided, having access to a laptop or tablet can be extremely helpful for research, writing papers, creating presentations, and other academic tasks. A stylus can also be useful for taking notes or annotating documents on a tablet.

Headphones or earbuds are crucial for listening to audio or video content without disrupting others. And a USB drive or flash drive is handy for transferring files between home and school.

Don’t forget the all-important charging cables to keep those devices powered up throughout the day.

Back to School Supplies Checklist: – 4

4.Lastly,Teacher Wish Lists

Many teachers will provide a specific list of supplies they would like their students to have. These lists may include:

• Tissues
• Hand sanitizer
• Disinfecting wipes
• Extra notebooks/paper
• Poster board or foam board
• Index cards
• Dry erase markers
• Facial masks
• Plastic storage bins or caddies

While these may not be considered “traditional” school supplies, they are things that teachers often rely on and appreciate having in the classroom. Things like tissues, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes are especially useful for maintaining a healthy learning environment.

Extra notebooks, paper, index cards, and poster/foam board can be used for class projects and presentations. Dry erase markers are great for interactive whiteboard activities. And plastic storage bins or caddies help students stay organized.

Many teachers will also request that students have a stash of facial masks on hand, particularly in areas where masking requirements are still in place.

Be sure to check with your child’s teacher(s) to see if they have a specific wish list you can reference when doing your back to school shopping.

Stay Organized:

Once you’ve got all the supplies, the key is keeping everything organized and easy to access. Here are some tips:

• Use a checklist or spreadsheet to keep track of what you’ve bought and still need
• Label supplies with your child’s name
• Designate a home supply station or cubby to store extra items
• Create a homework/study station at home with essential supplies
• Encourage your child to keep their backpack and locker organized

Conclusion:

Having a system in place will make the back to school transition smoother, both at school and at home. Use a checklist or spreadsheet to stay on top of your purchases, and be sure to label supplies with your child’s name.

Set up a home supply station or cubby where you can store extra items, and create a designated homework/study area stocked with the essentials. Teach your child organizational skills like maintaining a tidy backpack and locker.

The start of a new school year can be hectic, but with the right supplies and a plan in place, you can help set your child up for success. Happy shopping!