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A school supply list to get you started

Keep this checklist handy to make your back-to-school shopping as easy as A, B, C.
By GreatSchools Staff
 

What’s the smart way to shop for school supplies? Eliminate the guesswork by getting a list from your child’s teacher ahead of time or waiting until school starts to find out what’s actually required. The teacher may recommend specific brands, sizes, or quantities, but even if the list isn’t available, you can still take advantage of back-to-school sales (many states offer “tax-free days” during this season) by sticking to the basics recommended below. And remember, you can’t go wrong with tools that help kids get — and stay — organized.

The basics

When it comes to writing essentials, teachers say, don't waste your money on feather pencils, light-up pencil sharpeners, or pretty erasers that don't work. And for organizational helpers, keep in mind that expensive folders with multiple pockets and zippers are often too bulky to fit in desks. Better to stick with more streamlined (and cheaper) models.

Glue sticks (at least three for the year)

Scissors (blunt ended for younger kids, pointed for older ones)

Ballpoint pens

No. 2 pencils (Stick with this classic to avoid classroom competition over whose writing utensil is the coolest — or most impractical.)

Colored pencils

A pencil sharpener (hand-held with a top to collect shavings)

A large pink eraser (The old-fashioned ones do the best erasing.)

Water-based markers

A four-ounce bottle of white glue

Highlighters (These are probably unnecessary for kids in kindergarten through second grade.)

Spiral-bound or composition notebooks

A three-ring binder

Loose-leaf notebook paper (Teachers can be picky about paper. Schools usually supply specially ruled handwriting paper to help younger children with letter formation. Older children use wide-ruled paper, and some middle school students will need the college-ruled variety.)

Pocket folders (If you get a folder with two pockets, label one "keep at home" and the other "bring to school" to help your child organize his papers.)

Printer paper and ink cartridges (for your home computer)

A ruler with English and metric measurements

Scotch tape

A stapler

A sturdy, supportive backpack (Some schools do not permit rolling backpacks because of space considerations, so check with your school before purchasing one.)

 
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Comments from GreatSchools.net readers

09/1/2009:
"Uh this didn't help at all."
08/13/2009:
"pretty accurate to the list i made this list is really perfect"
08/11/2009:
"This was great! Though, I needed a middle school list so I tried Walmart.com they have GREAT school supply lists for all the school grades even college!"
08/11/2009:
"This list is pretty accurate, but it would be really great if it also included lists for highschool students!! "
08/11/2009:
"I don't see how things like scotch tape and stapler is a thing a child should have in school. I buy for 3 children every year and it gets more expensive and needy each year. Next year I will have to buy my son that expensive calculator for high school. I also ocassionally have to go to thrift stores to buy clothes for them and myself. These are good broken in clothes, and won't fade all over your clothes while washing them. This is a cheap way to help with the school things, parents. We have a drug/alcohol free home, just barely making it in life. So go to these thrift stores and catch them with their sales, this will help out alot. From a family of 5, you can do it."
08/11/2009:
"you need to put supply list on here for the older kids too(: thanks"
08/4/2009:
"The list was great! Though, it would be even better if you had included an additional list for high school students. "
08/3/2009:
"great list. whats needed but not extra. thx!!!"
08/3/2009:
"this list is ok but it's missing items like a calculator. Us younge adults should know exactly what we need."
08/3/2009:
"I think that this list is suberbly helpful. I suggest it to all 8th graders!"
07/31/2009:
"usually the teachers dont expect you to go school shopping until they personally give you the list on day one. then your fighting the other 800 moms that did the same thing, although you didnt buy unneccesary items for your children. as a student in high school internet makes things smooth. our teachers post it on the website of what they expect to have on the first day and then the first day is when they tell you the additional special things you need for their class. it makes things easier and less expensive. you might get a large group of mothers together and email or bring this suggestion to their attention. jordan. "
07/29/2009:
"a lot of those don't go bad so you can store them for the next year if some teachers are picky."
07/29/2009:
"wow i never think that ill make it im scared case im taking the advensed class test.but i got the supplys for the test ."
07/29/2009:
"this is a good list. "
07/28/2009:
"This article is extremely helpful but it does not cover the requirements for high school students. I think the article should broaden its horizons. Thank you anyways for the information though."
07/24/2009:
"How are we supposed to know if this is rite? What if we buy all of it and we don't use half of it?"
07/23/2009:
"this is really helpful actually if your an early beginner because i like shopping when everything's on sale and then get everthing else a lil bit at a time bc im in 8th grade and i dont enjoy shopping when theres a huge amount of ppl at the stores."
07/23/2009:
"Im going into 8th grade and this list is very helpful,you used to get a paper one when you walked in to walmart but you dont know what extra stuff you already have at home that you can use and plus at my school Longfellow middle, the theaches SURE WILL LET YOU KNOW if you need more"
07/21/2009:
"in the beginning at walmart staples target, ect. they have sales and stuff so its not that expensive im in 7th grade and this list is helpful"
07/13/2009:
"Thanks for the freat tips i will be sure to compare these supplies to my school supply lists that i recieve!!!"
07/8/2009:
"Kindergarten School Supplie's list. Have the list so i thought i would pass it on for those who need it as well. 1-Facial Tissue (100 ct.) 2-4oz. Elmer's school glue 2-Small glue stick 3-24 ct. crayola Crayons 1-Blunt 5' Fiskar Scissors 1-12x18 Assorted Construction paper (50 ct.) 1-12x18 Manila paper (50 ct.) 12-#2 Pencils 1-Dry Erase Markers (4 ct.) 1-70ct. spiral composition book (Wide rule) 1-Washable Crayola Thick Blassic Markers (8 ct.) 1-Paper plates (9 inch-25 ct.) 1-Ziploc Sandwich Bag (80 ct.) 1-Ziploc gallon bags (20 ct.) 1-Paper Lunch Sacks (25 ct.) I know this may differ from other schools, this one is from Roanoke Elementary."
07/7/2009:
"It seems very helpful. My daughter is going to middle school and I want to get a head start on school shopping. We have to wait to the first day of school to get a list from her teachers to see what she needs. These basic guide lines have helped. The guide lines are easing my nervousness for my daughter. Thank you GreatSchools.net!"
07/7/2009:
"Good ideas. I'm a parent of four children (three girls and one son) so I'll keep this in mind. "
07/7/2009:
"you know you should make the supply lists more clear. this one is horrible, dumb, and no helpful use of any kind. So please whoever made this try to write down wat gradt this list is for thank u!! NOT!!!!!!!!!!!1"
06/22/2009:
"In my opinion, .9 mm mech. pencils are a great investment for intermediate grades. They hold up well, don't break as often, and kids don't spend so much time sharpening them. They don't make wooden pencils like they used to!"
06/22/2009:
"I live in Roff, Oklahoma and we have all seen first hand the rising cost of supplies and the lack on income in some families. I am a member of our local park committee and we are hosting a back to school bash in August. We are working with the school to obtain an accurate list of needed supplies for each child as well as expected enrollment numbers. We are asking everyone in the community as well as local business to either pick up some supplies to donate or to donate 5% of one paycheck in July. The donations will be used to purchase school supplies for all of our students."
05/21/2009:
"This really helped me.... Thanks :))"
05/18/2009:
"thank you very much ive been using this list for over 96 years now stating today"
02/23/2009:
"This is great. We have used a company now for many years that supplies custom school supply kits to us. The cost is the same as the best sales we see and additionally they give 10% back to the PTA. Their name is USASchoolSupplies.com. I highly recommend going that route Steve "
02/18/2009:
"Well firstly I very much understand the cost issue as I have been on both sides of the Tracks per say, either pinching pennies or buying extra for kids with less. My problem is not a lack of $ or 'Joe Blows' lack of $ it's that on my current years supply list (that by the way can ALWAYS be found at your local wal-mart at the begining of the school year/end of summer break) it states 12 ct crayola crayons x4 #2 pencils 24 ct x 4 glue sticks x 8 elmers 12 oz glue x 4 crayola washable markers X2 dry erase markers X1- (NOT FOR MY CHILD) these are a 15 count package by the way that cost me like $16.00 at walmart. well I could go on and on with my 1st graders supply list but my issue wasn't the list, it was what her school had written in BOLD at the bottom. DO NOT WRITE YOUR CHILDS NAME ON THE SUPPLIES. well this bothered me to no end, as a child I loved putting my name on my brand new things and arranging them just so, to see how the would be carried in my box. So I walked my child to her 1st class at her new school to discover that the 'extra supplies were throw into huge totes in the hall before she even got to class. and because I didn't want my child to be teased for having the 'ugly' folder/binder/backpack etc.. i did spend a pretty good deal on all these things my daughter will never even see again. It didn't say 'hey if you can buy 1 more of each and plce them here it will go to a child in need'. It was just demanded. I have been on the other end too, as I told you earlier, we were VERY poor growing up, so we got new pencils binder and paper ONCE at the 1st of the year and the rest of the year i had to beg and borrow. However, a person that I know very well has 4 kids( living in a travel trailer 16 ft. X 8 ft.) smokes pot like cigs, doesn't work- lives off husbands! income only- they ALWAYS have the money for the mary jane, but can never seem to come up with a few bucks to save their kids from 1st day humiliation!!!! It infuriates me to no end that because we help she doesn't have to, she can keep doing what she does and be rewarded for saying 'IT'S A PUBLIC SCHOOL IT'S THEIR JOB TO PAY FOR MY KIDS NEEDS'. just a few thoughts for you as you are getting your rulers!!"
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