Top 10 Back to School Supplies for Elementary School Students

It is that time of year again...back to school! Perhaps you have already received a school supply list from your child's elementary school. If you have not, however, here is a list of ten supplies that I consider essential for a child starting a new year in elementary school. These ten supplies are wise choices to buy for your elementary school age children, whether they are on your elementary school's supply list or not.

1. Backpack
The backpack is an essential school supply, even for elementary school students. It allows them to carry their school work between home and school. A backpack also allows a child to carry a spare outfit and shoes, if needed. Another purpose of backpacks for elementary students is to carry projects such as dioramas and items such as canned foods (for a school's collection for the homeless) to school without worrying about the items being crushed or dropped.

2. Lunchbox
For the elementary student who regularly takes his lunch to school, a lunchbox is a necessary school supply. Lunch boxes are environmentally friendly in that one can last an entire school year, even a few school years if properly maintained, thus saving the planet from excess used brown paper lunch sacks.

3. Binder and folders
It used to be that binders and folders were reserved for middle schoolers and high schoolers. That is no longer the case. Even if binders and folders are not on your child's elementary school supply list, they are a proper addition for your child's school ensemble. Binders and folders will help teach your elementary school aged child organizational skills. An early working knowledge of how to organize paper work is a skill that will bless your child over his lifetime.

4. Pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners
Obviously, even in this electronic age of computers, an elementary school student is still going to be in need of several pencils, pencil and erasers and a small manual pencil sharpener.

5. Wide-lined notebook paper
It would be wise to start your elementary school child out with a good 200 sheets of wide-lined notebook paper. This way you will not need to buy replacement paper for at least two or three months.

6. Crayons and markers
Crayons and colorful markers are staple art supplies on any elementary school's supply list.

7. Glue
Both Elmer's school glue and glue sticks are appropriate and useful school supplies for the elementary school student. Glue and glue sticks will be used throughout the school year for school art and science projects.

8. Safety scissors
For your elementary school aged child's safety as well as for the safety of his peers, purchase safety scissors. Safety scissors will be used throughout the school year and not only in art class.

9. Calculator
In this day and age, calculators are acceptable and appropriate school supplies for elementary students.

10. Family picture
Family pictures will not be listed on your child's back to elementary school supply list. It is in my opinion, however, one of the most important school supplies that you can send with your child. The world is sometimes a big and scary place. Think back on times in your own childhood when you felt scared and alone, even in a classroom of your peers. Having a family picture to glance at can give your child a great sense of calm when needed.