Back to school *vent*

[McKelly]

This list is similar to ours.........and it always has been that way. With the state of school budgets across the country, I would expect them to get longer.

 

[WildGrits]

I'm not sure why one of the posters thinks that crayons and glue sticks are weird in 7th grade. Even in high school my kids have used those for projects.

And what is so outrageous about a jump drive? They're pretty practical and my kids use them ALL the time to transfer project files back and forth from school to home and vice-versa. In today's technological classroom, a jump drive is really a no-brainer.

I think crayons are odd to be required for Spanish class.

As for the jump drives, I am probably a bit out of touch because here in the great capitol of NY, we do not have access to computers in classes. There are only computers in the library and the tech/computer class. So I will give you that one. That and atleast those can be re-used.

But as I look over the list, I am confused as to why three subjects on her list require three different mediums of paper. Math wants a binder with loose leaf, 2 comp notebooks and a 3 subject notebook. English wants a binder with loose leaf, a comp notebook, and 2 packs of yellow lined paper. Spanish wants...........well I don't have the list on me but you get the picture.

I'm not venting about the cost. I can easily find these things and rummage through what was never touched last year. My vent is about the waste.

My DD's BFF goes to Shen for middle school. This a school system north of us. This is their list for 7th grade.
Section 1
Quantity-SUPPLY
4-Subject dividers (pack of ~ 5)
1-Composition notebook
2-Package (~12) blue/black pens
2-Package (~12) #2 Pencils
2-Highlighters (2 different colors)
3-3 ring binder - 2 inch
2-Loose leaf paper
1-Glue stick
1-Book cover
2-Box of tissues
1-Sketch book (8.5 x12 spiral)
1-Erasers (2 pack)
2-Package of index cards (3x5)
Section 2
Quantity-SUPPLY
1-Calculator (non-graphing)6th may use a simple 4 function ($3), 7 & 8 will use TI scientific (TI 30- IIS) , Scientific may be used for all 3 years
1-Package of colored pencils
1 metric/standard ruler (12 inch)
1-Combination Lock (grade 7 & 8) Supplied in Grade 6
1-Thumb drive ( ~ 4 GB)
1-1 soft pencil case with grommets

 

[msmayor]

I think crayons are odd to be required for Spanish class.

Again...not really, if you think about it. Maybe the kids are going to make some type of flash-cards to learn Spanish words and phrases. Perhaps they are going to create visual aids for presentations.

These types of projects can be far more interesting to kids than sitting there drilling off vocabulary lists.

 

[JoiseyMom]

There were a few items on my DS's 4th grade list that kinda ticked me off. 1 3inch binder, Case it, zippered
Reinforced college ruled looseleaf paper
1 pair of USB head phones with microphone (specific types only)
Specific Avery dividers for the binder

I looked at the 5th grade list and no binder there...hmmm...wth? Why does 4th grade need a 3 inch binder... it is so big he cant fit anything else in his backpack . I also got a Mead zippered 3 inch, since I got it cheaper by about 5.00! Reinforced paper is like 6.00 a package! College ruled? LOL...my DS's handwritin is awful, he will never be able to write in those lines, we will adjust that and add it to his IEP!! I know that the reinforced is so much better..but jeez. The dividers are almost 7.00, and the headphones, are about 30.00.

The fired all the Spanish teachers and they need it for the Rosetta stone software...

I have no idea what DD is going to need for her 9th grade class..I wish they would send me a list. I am picking things up as I go, and will just return what I don't need. I know it will be teacher specific, but have some compassion for the parents pocket books, instead of worrying that the parents are gonna call and complain about the teachers.

 

[XYSRUS]

My kids are in college now but I always bought Ticonderoga pencils. We thought they were so much better than the other pencils. They wrote darker and lasted longer than the other pencils. One year I bought the cheapest pencils and they broke right away and were not even worth the cheap price I paid. I went out and bought Ticonderoga ones. I know I'm sad.

My college kids now have to have mechanical pencils and they are really specific as to the lead size and what pencil to buy. But they are engineering majors and do a lot of calculations with pencil.

I guess we are pencil geeks (among lots of other things lol!)

Oh no...Ticonderogas are the bomb! It's all I buy and are reasonable when you buy them on sale. Write nicer. Erase w/o tearing through the paper. I buy tons every year. There's nothing more frustrating than trying to erase something and A. it doesn't erase completely and/or B. your paper now has a hole in it! Go Ticonderogas! I am the pencil geek in my family!

And anything that comes back I save for the next year. My kids even reuse folders if they're in good shape...(and I don't care if they still have last year's girlfriend's names written all over it!) lol!

 

[JENOS]

I don’t mind the school lists WHEN they are for learning purposes. But the year when DD was in 3rd grade we had to buy 3 boxes of bandages, a large bottle of hand soap, 4 rolls of paper towels, and pool in money for a gold fish …. I almost lost it.

 

[RitaE]

Crayola Crayons. WalMart 25cents.

English classes usually use the Composition notebooks for daily writing/diary type exercises. The loose leaf paper is used for note taking and/or homework.

All of these can be had for $1 or less.

 

[Alesia]

Oh no...Ticonderogas are the bomb! It's all I buy and are reasonable when you buy them on sale. Write nicer. Erase w/o tearing through the paper. I buy tons every year. There's nothing more frustrating than trying to erase something and A. it doesn't erase completely and/or B. your paper now has a hole in it! Go Ticonderogas! I am the pencil geek in my family!

I agree. I buy the black ones. Ticonderoga pencils are just so much better than other pencils.

 

[WildGrits]

Oh no...Ticonderogas are the bomb! It's all I buy and are reasonable when you buy them on sale. Write nicer. Erase w/o tearing through the paper. I buy tons every year. There's nothing more frustrating than trying to erase something and A. it doesn't erase completely and/or B. your paper now has a hole in it! Go Ticonderogas! I am the pencil geek in my family!

I think some of the cheaper pencils have erasers made of clay. I perfer mechanical pencils. It cuts down on the backpack full of shavings.

 

[Alesia]

Crayola Crayons. WalMart 25cents.

English classes usually use the Composition notebooks for daily writing/diary type exercises. The loose leaf paper is used for note taking and/or homework.

All of these can be had for $1 or less.

Target has composition notebooks for 25 cents. Loose leaf paper was 75 cents.

 

[XYSRUS]

I think some of the cheaper pencils have erasers made of clay. I perfer mechanical pencils. It cuts down on the backpack full of shavings.

Those are nice too, but the little ones go through the refills like candy. There's nothing light/graceful about their handwriting!

 

[Ava]

But as I look over the list, I am confused as to why three subjects on her list require three different mediums of paper. Math wants a binder with loose leaf, 2 comp notebooks and a 3 subject notebook. English wants a binder with loose leaf, a comp notebook, and 2 packs of yellow lined paper. Spanish wants...........well I don't have the list on me but you get the picture.

I remember when I was in middle school having to have a seperate small binder & notebook for each class, so this isn't new. The teachers do that to help the kids keep their work organized. The comp books might be used for the students to write their tests/quizzes, or in-class assignments.

I'm sure there is a method to the madness, and at least your list sounds like it's only for your child & not to be shared amongst the class like a lot of these elementary lists people have posted!

 

[WildGrits]

Those are nice too, but the little ones go through the refills like candy. There's nothing light/graceful about their handwriting!

You have got that right.

My oldest was famous for coming home with pencils that where like an inch long. She just loved to sharpen them. I would be like, "you are gonna get arthitis writing with those golf pencils."

 

[WildGrits]

I remember when I was in middle school having to have a seperate small binder & notebook for each class, so this isn't new. The teachers do that to help the kids keep their work organized. The comp books might be used for the students to write their tests/quizzes, or in-class assignments.

I'm sure there is a method to the madness, and at least your list sounds like it's only for your child & not to be shared amongst the class like a lot of these elementary lists people have posted!

How true. We never had to do the sharing thing. Even when they were little back on NC, they always had their OWN closet. Their might have been a little sharing on the teachers part, but it was never enough to notice.

 

[taymaesmom]

I was actually relieved to see my youngest dd's list for 6th grade. When my oldest was in 6th a $70 calculator was required. This year only a $13 calculator was required! The rest was basic and not to expensive. I chose to buy the more expensive Case It binder for both girls as they do seem to hold up better.

Younger dd has moved up to the junior high and will have her own locker for the first time so she is begging for all these locker decorations, shelves, etc. and I find my self caving in. The other day I realized I bought more of that crap than actual supplies!

 

[kjs1976]

I'm a 7th grade teacher. The color coding thing is to help teach kids to organize. Some grades or teams expect the same organization so there is consistancy when teachers try to help them.

I know a lot of supplies go unused, because I offer candy in exchange for unused supplies at the end of the year. The main things they should always have, IMHO, are pens/pencils and notebooks. I probably gave oyt $30 in pencils/pens last year...horrible class with parents who could've cared less. I spend $200-300 a year on my classroom out of pocket. I stock up on markers, pens/pencils, and colored pencils during the sales this time of year. I shop the bookstore clearances. In order to do the projects I feel make the curriculum worth while for the kids, I have to buy out of pocket. Our English department has about a $1500 budget for the year and that covers 5-7 teachers. We used to get $500-1000 a person and it would roll over if you didn't use it! Now after buying construction paper and tagboard and maybe replacing a pencil sharpener and getting some white board markers, that's all I can get w/the school's budget.

35+ students in a classroom
Less funding
Fewer pay increases and incentives
But let's get tougher on standards and test scores and penalize schools and teachers when they are not met

 

[kinntj]

I don't think that list is too terrible. This year our incoming 7th graders will need netbooks purchased through the school for $300.00. They offer assistance for those who can't afford them.

I think crayons are funny for a 7th grader though. Normally people do have those laying around the house. At that age, our art classes recommend having colored pencils.

 

[punkin]

I think crayons are odd to be required for Spanish class.

As for the jump drives, I am probably a bit out of touch because here in the great capitol of NY, we do not have access to computers in classes. There are only computers in the library and the tech/computer class. So I will give you that one. That and atleast those can be re-used.

But as I look over the list, I am confused as to why three subjects on her list require three different mediums of paper. Math wants a binder with loose leaf, 2 comp notebooks and a 3 subject notebook. English wants a binder with loose leaf, a comp notebook, and 2 packs of yellow lined paper. Spanish wants...........well I don't have the list on me but you get the picture.

I'm not venting about the cost. I can easily find these things and rummage through what was never touched last year. My vent is about the waste.

My DD's BFF goes to Shen for middle school. This a school system north of us. This is their list for 7th grade.
Section 1
Quantity-SUPPLY
4-Subject dividers (pack of ~ 5)
1-Composition notebook
2-Package (~12) blue/black pens
2-Package (~12) #2 Pencils
2-Highlighters (2 different colors)
3-3 ring binder - 2 inch
2-Loose leaf paper
1-Glue stick
1-Book cover
2-Box of tissues
1-Sketch book (8.5 x12 spiral)
1-Erasers (2 pack)
2-Package of index cards (3x5)
Section 2
Quantity-SUPPLY
1-Calculator (non-graphing)6th may use a simple 4 function ($3), 7 & 8 will use TI scientific (TI 30- IIS) , Scientific may be used for all 3 years
1-Package of colored pencils
1 metric/standard ruler (12 inch)
1-Combination Lock (grade 7 & 8) Supplied in Grade 6
1-Thumb drive ( ~ 4 GB)
1-1 soft pencil case with grommets

I think this is the point. This year I do not care what the list is, my DD is getting 2 looseleafs (one for morning classes and one for after lunch) and filler paper. I have so much junk left over from last year!

 

[WildGrits]

I don't think that list is too terrible. This year our incoming 7th graders will need netbooks purchased through the school for $300.00. They offer assistance for those who can't afford them.

Now that is crazy.

 

[Mrsdennison]

As a middle school teacher who sat through a meeting at the end of the year to update the school supply list, I understand about waste. I was the one that said take crayons off the list. Teachers all have crayons. And as the social studies teacher I prefer colored pencils for the maps. I also teach math and we decided markers and colored pencils were the way to go.

As for the thumb drive. We listed it as optional this year. We also listed the cheapest places to find one. We are going to experiment this year with students that have them saving powerpoints and word documents to them. I realize that not everyone can afford them. We are simply seeing if they make a difference for the students and teachers this year.

The only thing at our school that is group share for middle school is Kleenex. We only ask for one box. I wish someone would send some sanitizer. That stuff goes fast.

Mrsdennison