School Supplies Advice for New High Schooler..

[Jedana]

I always bought just the basics for the teens.

Red/blue/black pens
highlighters in various colors
sharpies in various colors
composition notebooks
single and 3 spiral notebooks
binders in 1", 1 1/2" and 2" sizes
folders
dividers
mechanical and regular pencils
book covers

I waited on calculators, etc until the teacher specified what they wanted.

 

[Terry36]

If it makes you feel better, I have 5 kids, and we get NONE of the lists until the first day of school. Actually, some teachers wait until the second or third, so it's really tough!

Wow! Are all 5 in HS?

I was in your shoes 4 years ago. I just went out and got the basics that everyone else has mentioned and that seemed to cover what my dd needed. She was in advanced math so we already had the high buck calculator. The only thing that they go nuts about at our HS is book covers. We can only use brown paper bag covers, none of those nice and easy stretchy ones.

The only thing I will add is to say buy extra and stock up! I keep a rubbermaid tote full of loose leaf paper, spiral notebooks, composition book, folders, pens, pencils, hi-lighters, note cards, etc.....It is so nice to tell the kids to "go to the bin" when they need something.

I have one of those with wheels that fit under your bed. And yes, I love her having a stash to go to as well.

Haven't read the thread yet but, yes, we didn't get the supply list until the first day of school for HS. Truthfully, it wasn't as bad for HS for us as the younger grades. It just would say blue, black and red pens (any type...lower grades specific types), pencils and various notebooks and binders. Teachers are much less particular. Of course the graphing calculator was pricey....the one prior was only good through 8 th grade.

I'm hoping this is the case.

 

[dougsmom98]

I am a high school teacher and from my experience at the school I have been teaching at for 18 years, there aren't usually a ton of specific requests by teachers. By high school, we generally feel that students have figured out what works for them. My students need to take notes in class but if they prefer to use loose leaf paper and a binder, or if they prefer a one subject notebook, that is fine. If they like all their class notes in one 6 subject notebook that is fine too. Some students like a different folder for each class, some prefer an accordion style folder, and others want to 3 hold punch everything and put it in a binder and all of those strategies work. Occasionally, one of my colleagues is into portfolio type assessments so 3 ring binders and page protectors... are required. Calculators for math and upper lever science classes are also required. Other than that, they will need TONS of pens, pencils, and erasers. Other things like glue, glue sticks, rulers, scissors, sharpies, poster board, markers, colored pencils... will help with projects throughout the year and are good to have on hand at home at all times. Index cards are good for helping students study vocabulary terms. Post it notes are also a nice thing to have for studying and organizing. The most successful students in high school are generally the most organized students, so have discussions with your children as to what they think will help them stay organized and what will work for them.

 

[Terry36]

I am a high school teacher and from my experience at the school I have been teaching at for 18 years, there aren't usually a ton of specific requests by teachers. By high school, we generally feel that students have figured out what works for them. My students need to take notes in class but if they prefer to use loose leaf paper and a binder, or if they prefer a one subject notebook, that is fine. If they like all their class notes in one 6 subject notebook that is fine too. Some students like a different folder for each class, some prefer an accordion style folder, and others want to 3 hold punch everything and put it in a binder and all of those strategies work. Occasionally, one of my colleagues is into portfolio type assessments so 3 ring binders and page protectors... are required. Calculators for math and upper lever science classes are also required. Other than that, they will need TONS of pens, pencils, and erasers. Other things like glue, glue sticks, rulers, scissors, sharpies, poster board, markers, colored pencils... will help with projects throughout the year and are good to have on hand at home at all times. Index cards are good for helping students study vocabulary terms. Post it notes are also a nice thing to have for studying and organizing. The most successful students in high school are generally the most organized students, so have discussions with your children as to what they think will help them stay organized and what will work for them.

Thank you. I love hearing a teacher's point of view.