School Supplies

Back to school. So many emotions. So much to do.

Without the right supplies, learning can be a challenge. If your child's school provides a check list of recommended products, be sure to stick with that. Most large office supply stores, such as Staples and Office Max, have some school supplies checklists for classes and/or grades at local schools. Below is a roundup of some common back-to-school goods. Shopping online during this hectic time may be more convenient -- no waiting in lines, no empty shelves, and more time to have fun with your kids before they head back to the daily grind. Some supplies won't be needed til they're a few years into schooling (like graphing calculators  and protractors ) and others will be less important as the years go on (like construction paper  and glue sticks ). If you don't like crowds and want discounts, another option besides shopping online is doing some school supplies shopping "off-season", either in the beginning of summer or in the middle of the school year. In August and September, large office supply stores are not the only option for school supplies; try comparing prices at other stores, such as Kmart or Walmart. Often stores that are not primarily office supplies stores will have lower prices on the notebooks and pencils needed for a fantastic school year.

Writing Utensils

It's not just No. 2 pencils anymore. The days of blackboards and placing an apple on the teacher's desk are fading into a vague memory. Kids now have a growing list of writing supplies -- ballpoint, felt-tipped, pencils, highlighters, and mechanical pencils. Make sure your little one is well-stocked. Here are some common writing utensils needed in the modern classroom.

Things to Write With
Ballpoint Pens	No. 2 Pencils	Highlighters	Felt-Tip Pens	Mechanical Pencils

Writing Accessories
Rubber Erasers	Pencil Sharpener	Pencil Case	Pencil Refills

Paper Goods

These days, being prepared for class demands far more than a folder full of loose leaf. You'll need some other essentials to facilitate the learning process and keeping organized all the while. The essential spiral notebooks  and marble notebooks  are still necessary, but they are no longer simply red, blue, or black. Most companies offer stylish and colorful notebooks now, although beware: style comes at a price. The colorful notebooks are often double the price of the traditional black and white notebooks! Some products you may overlook but will need:

• a book for jotting down homework assignments
• graph paper  for math class
• index cards  for flash cards  (grab the largest pack you can find if your child is taking any foreign language classes!)

Spiral  and Composition Notebooks  For note taking.	Assignment Notebooks  and Planners  For keeping up with due dates.	Graph  and Loose Leaf Paper  For keeping your binder stocked and math graphs neat.	Index Cards  Flash cards are a great tactic for memorization.

Organization Helpers

Teaching a child the importance of organization is no easy feat. Book covers  are usually required for most textbooks  to prevent any damage to the covers. However, book covers are no longer folded paper bags from the grocery store; now they come in almost any color and pattern imaginable. If your child has a locker, don't forget to stock up on locker shelves  and other organization equipment to help your child find his or her science book in time for fourth period! Make sure you know the size of the locker before buying shelves. Some lockers are tall and skinny, while others are short and more square-shaped. These products are a good start to helping your child get organized.

Book Covers  Covers will protect and help your child distinguish one book from another.	Mini Stapler,  Staple Removers  So basic, yet so essential. No teacher wants a paper that isn't stapled together.	Binders,  Hole Punchers,  Dividers  Promotes good organization skills. Keep one binder for each class.	Post-Its,  Paper Clips  A simple post-it or paper clip can keep important pages flagged while studying for quick reference.	Locker Organization Equipment  For what is most likely, the messiest area of all.

Tools

QUICK TIP: Invest in a quality classic item just once (a Swingline stapler,  Texas Instruments calculator,  Jansport backpack ) and spend your money on supplies that need a yearly update--notebooks,  writing tools,  planners. 

Calculator	Locks	Compass Pencil,  Protractor	Dictionary,  Thesaurus,  Foreign Language Dictionary

Arts & Crafts Supplies

Whether it's art class, or a special project that begs for an artistic touch, these products are important to have on hand, if you don't already. Want some more ideas on art and crafts? Check out our Arts and Crafts Guide. 

Everything For Your Baby Picasso
Construction Paper	Washable Markers	Colored Pencils	Craft Paint

Crayons	Safety Scissors	Glue Stick	Ruler

At-Home Must-Haves

A special project, a tough paper, the science fair-- who knows when your little one will be thrown a curve ball? Be prepared for those late-night cram sessions and projects.

Ribbon,  Pom Poms,  Glitter,  Pipe Cleaners  That presentation has turned into an artistic venture.	Report Covers  A good paper needs a good cover.	Printer Paper,  Ink Cartridges  Save the trip to a 24-hour printing store.	Plastic Bin  Great to keep all these items consolidated and organized.

Electronics and Software

Technology is not just for adults anymore! Keep your kid up-to-date and educated on the latest technology. It's quickly evolving, and important to keep up with.

Learning Laptop  Some include spelling, vocabulary, grammar, keyboarding skills, math and more.	Pen Text Scanner  Roll the pen over the text like you would with a highlighter and then download to your computer for instant notes.	Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 3.0  This ergonomic keyboard has an optical mouse that works on just about any surface. Comfortable for long hours at the desktop computer.	Educational Software  A great learning tool for the home. To learn more about them, please see our guide on Educational Software for Children.

Backpacks and Totes

You've got the goods. Next up: How will your little one get them all there? Try these products below. Make sure the backpack is comfortable to wear and is the right size for the course load your child will have. Check out this article for information on safe backpack loads for children.

Lunch Totes  A step beyond the classic lunchbox, these totes are a bit more fashionable and not as clunky.	Roll Along Backpack  Doubles as a roll along, and a backpack.	Laptop Backpacks  Designed to evenly distribute the weight of laptops, notebooks, binders, and books on your child's back to make carrying a bit easier	Shoulder Bags  Not recommended for real little ones as they may throw off their balance, these totes are better for older, stronger children.

External Links

• About -- Supplies for grades 10-12.
• iVillage -- 8 ways to stock up for school.
• Staples -- School supply list, divided by grades.
• Real Simple -- Back-to-School 101