10 Back to School Essentials for Elementary Students

Labels
Before you go out to buy school supplies, have a plan for keeping them safe so you don't have to replace them. Order fancy labels or create your own. Make sure you have labels for everything - from clothing and footwear, to school supplies and backpacks.

Pencils
Stick to the basics: HB pencils from a reputable company. The fancy pencils from the dollar store are not school supplies. No elementary student should be writing in ink until he has legible penmanship. It is preferable to wait until he has mastered cursive writing. A reliable black or blue ballpoint is all he needs for school. Leave the multi-coloured gel pens at home.

Crayons, Markers and Pencil Crayons
When it comes to markers and pencil crayons, buy name brands that will last. For younger elementary students, be sure to buy non-toxic school supplies and choose washable markers wherever possible.

Scissors and Glue
Students need a good pair of safety scissors all the way through elementary school. When buying glue, try to get what the teacher recommends. They know what workd and what lasts. Buying the brand they suggest can save you money.

Paper and Notebooks
Paper is so often wasted in elementary school classrooms. Teachers tend to request much more than students will use, so watch out for first-grade school supply lists asking for ten 72-page Hilroy exercise books. Binders with loose leaf filler paper and subject dividers are much more flexible, and will save you money.

Agenda and Calendar
If your child's school does not provide a student agenda, buy or make one. Teach your child to track daily homework, long-term assignments, and extra-curricular activities. Put up a wall calendar at home where your child does her homework, and take time regularly to update the calendar together.

Dictionary
A strong vocabulary is one of the best indicators of overall academic success. Teach your child to keep a dictionary at his side when he reads, and to look up unfamiliar words. If your child is studying in a foreign language or has learning disabilities, ask about whether she can use a dictionary during exams.

Back-up Supplies
Teachers of younger elementary students often have them leave markers, scissors and glue at school all the time. Don't get caught without these school supplies, just when the homework calls for them! Keep a spare set where your child does homework.

Environmentally Friendly Lunch Bag
If your child takes a lunch from home, make it an environmentally friendly one. Buy reusable containers instead of using juice boxes and disposable sandwich bags. If space in the lunch box is an issue, try sewing reusable fabric sandwich bags and get a sports water bottle that has a carry strap.

Backpack
This is probably the most important item on your list of school supplies. Bypass the cheaply made over-sized backpacks at the front of the store. Choose a smaller backpack with padded shoulder straps and a sturdy zipper. Teach your child always to wear the backpack on both shoulders.