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Back to School Supplies

Although every school and every teacher requires that students bring in different supplies, it is important to have the basics. Here is a breakdown of supplies that students should have for the new school year:

Elementary School

• Backpack
• Lunch box
• Supply box and/or pencil case
• Notebooks (usually marble)
• Folders with pockets
• Black or blue pens (younger students may need erasable)
• Red pen
• #2 Pencils
• Pencil sharpener with scrap catcher
• Erasers
• Crayons (make sure to have the 8 basic colors)
• Washable markers
• Dry erase markers (if students will use dry erase boards)
• Highlighters
• Colored pencils
• Watercolor paint and paint brush
• Scotch tape
• Glue/Glue sticks
• Child-safe scissors
• Ruler (with inches and centimeters)
• Construction paper
• Loose leaf paper (wide ruled)
• White computer paper
• Index Cards
• Post-its
• Smock
• Mat or towel (if there is rest time)

Middle School

• Backpack or large side bag
• Pencil case
• Notebooks (marble or spiral)
• Folders with pockets
• Binder
• Loose leaf (college ruled)
• Page reinforcements
• Page tab dividers
• Planner and/or homework pad
• Black or blue pens
• White out
• #2 Pencils
• Pencil sharpener with scrap catcher
• Erasers
• Highlighters
• Scissors
• Colored pencils
• Washable markers
• Mini-stapler and staples
• Scotch tape
• Glue stick
• Graphing paper
• Scientific calculator (Texas Instruments recommended)
• 12 inch ruler (inches and centimeters)
• Protractor
• Book covers
• Dictionary and/or thesaurus
• Flash/Thumb Drive and/or blank CDs (only some schools require this)

High School

• Backpack or large side bag
• Pencil case
• Notebooks (usually spiral with perforations)
• Folders with pockets
• Binder
• Planner
• Loose leaf (college ruled)
• Page reinforcements
• Tab dividers
• Planner and/or homework pad
• Black or blue pens
• White out
• #2 Pencils
• Pencil sharpener with scrap catcher
• Erasers
• Highlighters
• Scissors
• Colored pencils
• Washable markers
• Paper clips
• Mini-stapler and staples
• Scotch tape
• Glue stick
• Graphing paper
• Graphing calculator (Texas Instruments recommended)
• 12 inch ruler (inches and centimeters)
• Protractor
• Compass
• Book covers
• Dictionary and/or thesaurus
• Flash/Thumb Drive and/or blank CDs (only some schools require this)
• Foreign language dictionary

General Classroom Supplies

• Tissues
• Paper towels
• Hand soap
• Baby wipes
• Hand sanitizer (use with discretion)
• Disinfecting wipes (for the desks)
• Zip-lock bags
• Garbage bags

K12Genie Tips

• To save money, see what is left over from last year and buy supplies such as pens and pencils in bulk.
• Supplies should be basic so that they are not considered a toy or distracting to the class. Students should also know how to safely use all of their supplies.
• Be sure to also have some supplies at home. Planning ahead will help to avoid getting aggravated and save time when homework requires the use of certian materials.
• You can recycle large brown paper or shopping bags and use them to make book covers.  They are very sturdy and re-using them is good for the environment.
• Don’t forget to label all supplies with the student’s name!

Shop for Supplies Online

• Visit The K12Genie Store at Amazon for all of your Back to School Essentials.
• Check out amazing back to school deals at Discount School Supply.
• Get irresistibly cute hand-drawn stationary, stickers, and more from AmyAdele.com.
• Shop for books and textbooks at BarnesandNoble.com.