Why does my first grader need 20 LARGE glue sticks?

[Mkrop]

I was just going to post about Staples $.01 sale for all of you needing pencils.

DS9's list is not excessive. I do not think the number of glue sticks or pencils is excessive either. I voluntereed in both the classroom and the library and these kids were constantly borrowing from each other. Some of course were worse than others. The girls seemed a little more organized than the boys. These kids can afford school supplies (or at least I would think based on the cars and houses) yet few had them.

Sharpening pencils was a nightmare, they took forever. Most teachers had a designated time for sharpening and since the kids were suppose to have extras they should have been able to wait but usually they only had one and once that broke then they were borrowing again.

I have a funny story, little boy "A" was always borrowing pencils. Every time I was in there or if DS9 came home with no pencils he said he lent one to "A". So one day in library they had a worksheet and there was "A" asking to borrow a pencil (Very sweet kid by the way) I finally said "A" what is in your pencil case if you have no pencils, he opened it for me and he had nothing in there except the paper that gets ripped off crayons . I just laughed and shook my head. I asked him why he brought his pencil case to library then and he answered bc we are suppose to! Well a month later I was on a field trip wiht the mom and told her the story, she laughed but she was also ready to strangle him because she had a cabinet full of school supplies at home and she just thought he had what he needed

So the moral of "A's" story is ask you kids periodically throughout the year if they have their supplies.

 

[Mkrop]

I also dont mind donating to the classroom supply of tissues, paper towels and wipes. Most of the teachers ask at the beginning of the year to donate these items. One said due to storage that the girls bring in Sept, boys in Jan. Well this year the teacher never asked so in Oct I just sent some in.

Later in the year, she casually asked the kids for more supplies, never a note or anything posted on the website (like other teachers do) but my son is pretty good with messages so I sent stuff in, my friend's son on the other hand never said a word, but when I told her she sent stuff in. Now comes spring (allergy season) and DS9 (has bad allergies) says there is no tissues in the classroom at all even in the supply closet. So I sent him in with a box, not even an thank you from the teacher (to him not me). Once again he comes home they are out of tissues, I didnt have any extra boxes so I sent him with the travel ones from my car and tell him to keep them in his desk. He then comes home that day and tells me the kids were lined up at his desk asking for his tissues but he didnt have enough. So once again I send in another box, now hello, didnt the teacher notice that her supplies were out, could she have asked again instead of one kid bringing I think in the end 4 boxes of tissues (not including the ones I sent in Oct and Dec)

I am all for helping out supplying the classroom and I certainly dont want the teachers to have to spend their money but could we spread the cost around just a little. Hopefully next years teachers is more organized!

 

[Tikicampers]

I also dont mind donating to the classroom supply of tissues, paper towels and wipes. Most of the teachers ask at the beginning of the year to donate these items. One said due to storage that the girls bring in Sept, boys in Jan. Well this year the teacher never asked so in Oct I just sent some in.

Later in the year, she casually asked the kids for more supplies, never a note or anything posted on the website (like other teachers do) but my son is pretty good with messages so I sent stuff in, my friend's son on the other hand never said a word, but when I told her she sent stuff in. Now comes spring (allergy season) and DS9 (has bad allergies) says there is no tissues in the classroom at all even in the supply closet. So I sent him in with a box, not even an thank you from the teacher (to him not me). Once again he comes home they are out of tissues, I didnt have any extra boxes so I sent him with the travel ones from my car and tell him to keep them in his desk. He then comes home that day and tells me the kids were lined up at his desk asking for his tissues but he didnt have enough. So once again I send in another box, now hello, didnt the teacher notice that her supplies were out, could she have asked again instead of one kid bringing I think in the end 4 boxes of tissues (not including the ones I sent in Oct and Dec)

I am all for helping out supplying the classroom and I certainly dont want the teachers to have to spend their money but could we spread the cost around just a little. Hopefully next years teachers is more organized!

This teacher sounds unorganized. Was she new? I always ask for tissues, etc. at the beginning of the year, and if we run out (usually during allergy season) I mention it in the newsletter. I also thank the child as he or she hands them to me, and then I usually jot a quick thank you note to go home in the folder (ok, I'll be honest, my aide does it, but I would if she didn't).
This is making me think of my class this year. They went through a ton of tissues. If one person went to get a tissue, suddenly everyone "needed" one. At one point I sat them all down and we discussed when it's time to get a tissue, in all the graphic detail. It didn't help much. I had to put the tissues right next to me, and practically interrogate the kids who wanted one.

 

[Mkrop]

This teacher sounds unorganized. Was she new? I always ask for tissues, etc. at the beginning of the year, and if we run out (usually during allergy season) I mention it in the newsletter. I also thank the child as he or she hands them to me, and then I usually jot a quick thank you note to go home in the folder (ok, I'll be honest, my aide does it, but I would if she didn't).
This is making me think of my class this year. They went through a ton of tissues. If one person went to get a tissue, suddenly everyone "needed" one. At one point I sat them all down and we discussed when it's time to get a tissue, in all the graphic detail. It didn't help much. I had to put the tissues right next to me, and practically interrogate the kids who wanted one.

No not new. Like I said I didnt expect a formal thank you, just a quick thanks to my son when he put them out there. This is the only time the kids were allowed to get up front their seats without permission was to get a tissue. Let me just say his teacher this past year was "quirky".

 

[Daxx]

Don't know what grades you're talking about, but I can tell you that in Kdg. through 2nd grade kids will blot or dab at their nose w/a tissue and throw it away. They use a corner if that much. They don't blow -- they blot. Then it keeps running and they grab more tissues and keep dabbing/blotting. I have told them countless times to hold onto a tissue that they blot their nose on and they all say "eeeeewwwww!" It's amazing how many tissues a kid can go through just blotting their nose and not blowing ... and it's amazing how many times a day (during cold, flu and allergy season) I say "Blow, not blot!"

Maybe if parents taught their kids to blow instead of blot, teachers wouldn't need so many boxes of kleenex!

 

[Tikicampers]

Let me just say his teacher this past year was "quirky".

Yes, there are a few of those out there. In fact, I would probably qualify for the term in some aspects as well.

 

[Tikicampers]

Don't know what grades you're talking about, but I can tell you that in Kdg. through 2nd grade kids will blot or dab at their nose w/a tissue and throw it away. They use a corner if that much. They don't blow -- they blot. Then it keeps running and they grab more tissues and keep dabbing/blotting. I have told them countless times to hold onto a tissue that they blot their nose on and they all say "eeeeewwwww!" It's amazing how many tissues a kid can go through just blotting their nose and not blowing ... and it's amazing how many times a day (during cold, flu and allergy season) I say "Blow, not blot!"

Maybe if parents taught their kids to blow instead of blot, teachers wouldn't need so many boxes of kleenex!

I swear you and I are teaching the exact same kids! Do the girls in your class try to go get tissues all at once so they can stand there together and whisper?

 

[Mkrop]

Don't know what grades you're talking about, but I can tell you that in Kdg. through 2nd grade kids will blot or dab at their nose w/a tissue and throw it away. They use a corner if that much. They don't blow -- they blot. Then it keeps running and they grab more tissues and keep dabbing/blotting. I have told them countless times to hold onto a tissue that they blot their nose on and they all say "eeeeewwwww!" It's amazing how many tissues a kid can go through just blotting their nose and not blowing ... and it's amazing how many times a day (during cold, flu and allergy season) I say "Blow, not blot!"

Maybe if parents taught their kids to blow instead of blot, teachers wouldn't need so many boxes of kleenex!

This was 3rd grade. I know DS9 needs and knows how to blow, his allergies were so bad until we started seeing an allergist, he is allergic toe verything outdoors

Now DS4 we can not get him blowing yet, in fact he has a bit of a cold this week and he is driving me nuts bc he wont blow and he keeps sniffling it up and wanting me to wipe it. Any advice?

Like I said I would galdly send in the boxes if all the other parents would too and if the teacher seemed in the least bit appreciative.

 

[Mkrop]

Yes, there are a few of those out there. In fact, I would probably qualify for the term in some aspects as well.

She was nice enough, and my son learned a lot, she was just quirky (other parents would probably not use that nice of a term) as compared to the other teachers he has had so far. I mean all different personalities and teaching styles but enver I would define as quirky....

 

[hildasmuriel]

I am just so at this topic!
Primary schools here (up to age 11) supply everything the children need apart from their food and clothes! I cannot imagine the children bringing in their own pencils, crayons, glue, folders, books etc. The education authority supplies it all. They bulk order so get great discounts and they are able to order decent quality stuff.

We have pencil pots on each table and children take a pencil as they need it and then replace it when finished. It's as much a part of their routine as pushing their chair in when they leave the table (so they need nagging about it at first!)

At secondary school (age 11+) students take their own pens, pencils and calculators which they carry around with them, but still the school supplies all books, paper, glue etc.

I can just imagine the reaction of parents if we started sending letters home asking them to supply school materials.

 

[Taqwus]

I got a packet from my younger DS's preschool today with the calendar, supply list, etc. in it. So, that inspired me to go ahead and type up my shopping list for school supplies for him and my older DS who is a rising first grader.

On my older DS's list is 20 LARGE glue sticks. Holy cow, why in the world does he need that many large ones? For K, he needed 15 regular size ones. I just can't imagine what he'll be doing in the first grade that will require such a massive consumption of glue!

Unless I find a kick-butt sale, I'll be spending $35 on glue alone.

Uh-Oh I think she just stumbled on to our well kept secret of glue sniffing/eating.
I think I will have to send some of the kids next door to silence her

 

[Daxx]

Do the girls in your class try to go get tissues all at once so they can stand there together and whisper?

Of course they do!!!! Why else would you need a tissue!?!?

 

[Daxx]

Now DS4 we can not get him blowing yet, in fact he has a bit of a cold this week and he is driving me nuts bc he wont blow and he keeps sniffling it up and wanting me to wipe it. Any advice?

Believe it or not, yes! Tell him to pretend he's blowing out birthday candles w/his nose and not his mouth! Tell him to press his lips together and to push the air out of his nose and pretend to blow bday candles out. That's how we taught DS.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I am LOL!! at the blow-not-blot comments!!!!

And, in reality... This may not work like the teachers here are thinking.

My son has some allergies. And, from the day he was a tiny toddler, I would hold the tissue to his nose, jiggle it to close each side and then the other. and have him blow. He KNOWS how to blow. Believe me, I was also guilty of the BLOW not BLOT!!!

NO LONGER. Here is the kicker. I have experienced this myself. I can sometimes get allergy attacks. Man, it is like an huge sneezing fit, and then my head starts to close up. It is different than having a head full of oozing, nasty, congestion that you can blow out. I can blow, but man, there is actually very very little that comes out. But, my head is all closed up. That is just now how it works. Same for my son. On top of that, he says that when he tries to 'blow' it hurts his ears. It is actually putting pressure on his inner ears. And, also, doesn't it possibly spread any possible germs into the ears and contribute to ear infections. I do not EVER ask DS to blow, unless perhaps he did end up with one of those nasty green drippy colds.

Also, I too was and at the poster who mentioned the Plug-Ins in the classroom. I am sorry, but those things are not healthy and can be outright dangerous to anyone with upper respiratory problems. (asthma, bronchitis, etc...) I would literally not be able to stay in my house if there was one in here that I happened to be sensitive to. I don't care how badly the students may smell, at least it isn't a health risk. I would have a serious problem with any teacher who had one of these in my son's classroom.


PS: ITA with the post about teaching responsibility and conservation!!!!! If kids use an entire glue stick on one project, that is just ridiculous. I sent ONE glue stick in with my son for each six-weeks period. He never had a problem with running out. I am sorry, but my funds are fairly limited... No way am I buying little Johnny, Suzy, Shakeela, or whomever else, a new glue-stick every day. I know that this is simply not necessary.

As far as personal supplies... My son is left handed. I sent in a nice pair of actual 'left handed' Fiskars. (the shape of the handle does not make a pair scissors appropriate for left handed kids. the blades are actually reversed so that the kid can see where they are cutting and the cutting edge is not hidden behind the other blade.) I also know of a nice large full-length plastic twist up crayon that beats crayola by a mile. DS loves them and asks for them because they color so wonderfully. (not 'waxy') One set of these full length crayons are equal to more than two boxes of the shorter crayolas. And, NO paper peeling and paper mess!!!! So, I send these in with him as well. I set DS up with all of his own materials, and he is directed NOT to share. I also send him in with the mini-boxes of tissues to keep in his desk. Since he is not sharing as much, he did not get sick last year!

 

[torinsmom]

I also know of a nice large full-length plastic twist up crayon that beats crayola by a mile. DS loves them and asks for them because they color so wonderfully. (not 'waxy') One set of these full lenght crayons are equal to more than two boxes of the shorter crayolas. And, NO paper peeling and paper mess!!!!

I tried these for my class, but some of the kids do the same thing they do with glue sticks. They twisted until all the crayon came out and then it broke! Talk about upset--I got two sets of these from WDW with all the characters on them and they didn't last a week. So you definitely have to watch kids with them.

 

[Tikicampers]

I am just so at this topic!
Primary schools here (up to age 11) supply everything the children need apart from their food and clothes! I cannot imagine the children bringing in their own pencils, crayons, glue, folders, books etc. The education authority supplies it all. They bulk order so get great discounts and they are able to order decent quality stuff.

We have pencil pots on each table and children take a pencil as they need it and then replace it when finished. It's as much a part of their routine as pushing their chair in when they leave the table (so they need nagging about it at first!)

At secondary school (age 11+) students take their own pens, pencils and calculators which they carry around with them, but still the school supplies all books, paper, glue etc.

I can just imagine the reaction of parents if we started sending letters home asking them to supply school materials.

I noticed you're in the UK, and I believe you pay higher taxes than we do here. That's probably why the schools are able to provide the supplies.
I would love to be given money to buy all the supplies the kids need, and not have to ask parents for anything. As it is, I spend a good bit of my own money on supplies, because there are some specific things I need that I don't want parents having to track down. I only get $100 dollars for my classroom each year. Everything I need comes out of that. As you can guess, it doesn't go very far.

 

[4greatboys]

Just an FYI. Walmart is having a sale on some school supplies I bought 24 ct Crayola Crayons for .20, 2 pack of small gluesticks for .20, 4oz Elmers glue .20, Crayola washable markers for .88 and map color pencils for .88.
They also had 2 pocket brad folders for .10 each and spiral notebooks .10 each.

Pretty good prices.

 

[Duchie]

I really don't mind the school supply lists. They publish one for our district and it's the same for every teacher in all of the schools. We don't know which teachers the kids have until the night before school starts, so the teachers don't have a chance to send specific lists. Most of the time on "Meet the Teacher" night, they will ask volunteers to bring in class-specific stuff, and I usually try to get a few extra items.

My biggest gripe with these lists is that I can NEVER find everything on the list. They always list these "glossy folders" that I can NEVER find. Or it asks for the large glue sticks but all the stores only have small. Then there was the big manilla paper that no one had. Honestly, if you know every parent in the entire school district is going to need it, why don't you stock up on it???? This year's list seems to be a bit more reasonable. But as soon as I saw those darn glossy folders at Wal-Mart earlier this week, I bought 'em!

 

[aprilgail2]

My biggest gripe with these lists is that I can NEVER find everything on the list. They always list these "glossy folders" that I can NEVER find. Or it asks for the large glue sticks but all the stores only have small. Then there was the big manilla paper that no one had. Honestly, if you know every parent in the entire school district is going to need it, why don't you stock up on it???? This year's list seems to be a bit more reasonable. But as soon as I saw those darn glossy folders at Wal-Mart earlier this week, I bought 'em!

I have "no drip glue" on the list of my daughters, I have been to 3 stores so far and none have had it. I am not fininshed with her list yet and have already spent over 80.00

 

[ducklite]

I'm glad we're done with the whole "school" thing. What I don't understand is twofold. First, it seems that some of the list have an excessive amount of stuff. 20 glue sticks, Windix, etc. If there are 30 kids in a class, I have a hard time believing that the teacher will go through 30 bottle of Windex a school year--that's *almost* one a week! And 20 glue sticks? If my son were still in school there is no way that I'd send in $30 worth of glue.

Like another poster said, if they are trying to cover kids who won't bring things in, they should ask for donations, not hide the fact by expecting most of the kids to bring more than they will need.

And "glassy folders?" IMHO that's just stupid. They should say the child needs "X" number of pocket folders and let the parents decide what works. plastic, glossy, plain, whatever. it seems that some of these lists have gotten absurd with the demands.

I can remember when my son was in elementary school, they wanted the kids to have a handful of pencils, a few notebooks, a few folders, a glue stick, a pack of Crayons, and a ruler. Oh, and if the parents would like to send in a box of Kleenex or roll of paper towels, it would be very appreciated. Worded like that I see no problem with it. But 20 glue sticks, five boxes of Kleenex, and a bottle of Windex on the required supply list? They need to get a grip.

Anne