Top 10 Essential Back to School Supplies for Elementary Students

Back to School time is exciting for all. Elementary students are excited to play at recess, see their friends, and eat lunch with their friends everyday. Stay at home moms are excited to get a little quiet during the day and more time to run errands. Working moms are excited to pay less on expensive daycare costs. Stores are excited to make extra money selling back to school supplies. The stores offer so much, but all those fancy gadgets aren't always part of the essential back to school supplies needed. From a teachers viewpoint, here is my top ten list of back to school items.

10. Liquid soap

This is actually a donation to the class that the teacher will appreciate, but all students will need. Schools generally don't supply soap to the classrooms, so it's left to the teacher or parents to purchase. Soap is very important to keep germs from spreading from child to child.

9. Whiteboard Marker

Many classes are using whiteboard markers on a daily basis. The teacher may supply the student with a whiteboard marker the first day of school, but it will not last the student all year long. Schools are cutting back on budgets and the school may not give another whiteboard marker during the year.

8. Pencil Sharpener

Pencils are an essential item in an elementary class and eventually they break. Busy teachers often spend their whole recess sharpening the class supply of pencils. When students have a small pencil sharpener it saves a lot of time. Just be sure to remind your child to sharpen the pencil over the trash can to avoid putting the pencil shavings all over the classroom floor.

7. Folder

Now for most elementary students, a fancy 3 ring binder folder isn't necessary. A simple pocket folder will do just fine. This is very important so that notes from the school can be saved in a special folder. If the teacher doesn't have a special homework folder, this will serve that purpose too.

6. Crayons

This year my school is giving the students a pack of 8 crayons, just the basic colors. How sad that they won't be able to color the flowers pink or lavender. Buying a 24 crayon set is the perfect size. The student will have a variety of colors to use. The first week of school I always practice taking out and putting away crayons back in the box. This way students will not lose their crayons too early in the year.

5. Thermos

Students get thirsty and need water during the day. Some classes may or may not have a drinking fountain, but filling a thermos with cold water is a great way to ensure that your child stay hydrated all day.

4. Glue Sticks

Glue bottles are sometimes messy. If they aren't closed properly, they don't work well either. I like glue sticks and students find them very easy to use.

3. Pencils

Pencils seem to have legs and walk right out of classes. My students are always losing their pencils and this is another item the office doesn't always replace often throughout the year. At back to school sales, pencils are very inexpensive, so it's a great idea to stock up. Make sure your child always has 1-2 sharpened pencils ready for the new day.

2. Lunch Bag

Buying paper bags may seem inexpensive, but throughout the years it adds up a lot. Buying a insulated lunch bag is a great investment. Your child will enjoy a cool lunch and a cool bag.

1. Backpack

Papers are sent home throughout the year and to ensure that these papers make it home, a backpack is a great supply. Backpacks are also a great place to put your child's thermos, lunch bag, and jacket. The backpack shouldn't be too big though because the class will get crowded. If your child doesn't take home heavy books there is no need for a rolling backpack.

Buying Back to School Supplies doesn't have to cost a fortune
Buying back to school supplies can be fun, but there is no need to purchase all the items the store has for sale. Many supplies are still supplied by the schools, even during the times of budget cuts. Buying a few items will help your child make it through the coming school year.