Why does my first grader need 20 LARGE glue sticks?

[Annette_VA]

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.

 

[krcit]

That's ridiculous!!! That's like last year, my then 3rd grader needed 12 green pens-how on earth were they going to use 12 green pens? Drink the ink? I found a pack of 3 and guess what-that was fine. She even came home with one in June. I would buy maybe 5-6 glue sticks and tell her that you will replenish when necessary. My friend is a substitute teacher in my kids school and last year she told me that in the 3rd grade classroom, she found looseleaf paper with my older dd's name on it from when she was in 3rd grade, 3 years prior. I am so sick of these school supply lists.

 

[4greatboys]

That is ridiculous. No one needs that many glue sticks. Im getting sick of the school supply lists. If they need extra they should ask for donations and not make everyone give an over abundance.

 

[freckles and boo]

Maybe it is a typo? How about starting with 2. That is probably what they meant.

 

[pozey]

Maybe it is a typo? How about starting with 2. That is probably what they meant.

That was my first thought.

I think both of my boys have had to bring 2 glue sticks each the past couple of years.

 

[JulyGirl]

Wow. I guess they are forseeing the glue sticks running out and want to keep them "in stock" in the classroom. 20 glue sticks is crazy!

 

[4greatboys]

One of my sons had on his list one year 48 pencils. Thats more than 1 a week. How could you go through that many?

 

[solferino]

Are supply lists a common thing for schools? I've never seen one for DD's school. Granted, we pay tuition, which means we *are* paying for supplies in the long run (as is anyone who pays taxes that supports public schools for that matter), but we're never asked up front for items.

My guess if it is 20 then they're stocking up for everyone, perhaps thinking not all families can/will fulfill the request.

 

[CJBaby]

Are they trying to overcompensate for the glue-eaters? Hope they're asking for the non-toxic kind!

 

[edcrbnsoul]

Snack time?

 

[Laura]

Are they going to be scrapbooking?

 

[jbmom]

Are they trying to overcompensate for the glue-eaters? Hope they're asking for the non-toxic kind!

I thought maybe the teacher was planning on sticking the kids to the wall. That's a lot of glue my ds used about 10 for all of first grade and they were the smaller sized ones.

 

[4greatboys]

Are they going to be scrapbooking?

If they are then Im going to be volunteering for sure

 

[dimimi]

One of my sons had on his list one year 48 pencils. Thats more than 1 a week. How could you go through that many?

I'd love it if my students brought in 48 pencils. They are always misplacing them, breaking them, lending them out, etc...but I am at a high school and I don't know where you would put 48 pencils!

I'd bet the teacher meant to write 2 glue sticks.

 

[Annette_VA]

Snack time?

 

[freckles and boo]

Are supply lists a common thing for schools?

My daughter's list only asks for two glue sticks and two bottles of Elmer's. They do ask for things like zip-loc bags and wet-wipes and tissues and paper towels. They use schoolkidz.com (Staples) so we don't even have to go shopping if we don't want to.

 

[Annette_VA]

One of my sons had on his list one year 48 pencils. Thats more than 1 a week. How could you go through that many?

He also has 40 sharpened #2 pencils on his list. Guess it's too much trouble to sharpen them at school?

Are they going to be scrapbooking?

That's about the only reason I can think of as to why they'd need them.

I'd bet the teacher meant to write 2 glue sticks.

Sad thing is, this isn't just one teacher's list. It's the standard list for all 1st graders. We got a sheet at the end of the year with each grade's supply list on it.

Another funny note - I glanced at the K list and that has 16 glue sticks. Why 16 and not 15, since they're usually sold in 3 or 5 packs??


Here is his full list:

40 #2 pencils (sharpened)
2 boxes crayons (16 count)
1 bottles Elmer's School Glue (4 oz)
20 large glue sticks
Fiskars blunt point scissors
Eraser (large)
1 box washable markers (8 count)
3 black & white composition notebooks
1 writing tablet
1 pencil box
2 sturdy pocket folders
1 Mead Primary Composition book
1 highlighter
1 package 3x5 lined index cards
1 large box tissues
1 box baby wipes
1 roll paper towels
1 bottle liquid soap
1 bottle antibacterial gel
1 box gallon Ziploc bags


Some of the items are optional, like the soap, tissues, etc., but I'll get them anyway.

 

[4greatboys]

He also has 40 sharpened #2 pencils on his list. Guess it's too much trouble to sharpen them at school?



That's about the only reason I can think of as to why they'd need them.



Sad thing is, this isn't just one teacher's list. It's the standard list for all 1st graders. We got a sheet at the end of the year with each grade's supply list on it.

Another funny note - I glanced at the K list and that has 16 glue sticks. Why 16 and not 15, since they're usually sold in 3 or 5 packs??

Ours is like that too. What the heck are they doing with all those pencils and stuff? No way my kid is going to be using all that.

 

[VirtuallyMe]

Yeah I feel your pain...

My youngest dd's school has outrageous lists too.. I don't mind getting a few things that the teacher needs- sharpies, paperbags, ziplocs, kleenex etc etc- stuff that if the kids didn't supply it the teachers would have too- and I usually also include things like stickers or a stamp and stamp pads each year for teachers...

but I hate having the massive school supply lists for the kids- one year my dd had 2 pairs of scissors on her list- so sorry but there is no way she is going to use up her scissors- if the teacher would like additional supplies then add to the list "anyone who is able to get extras of any of the listed supplies would be greatly appreciated"

My sister is a teacher and I know that some kids don't have the funds for their own basic school supplies and these massive lists are to compensate for those who can not purchase their own. Two years ago my family was on a very tight budget- and I sent my daughter with the exact number of items I felt she needed and nothing extra- except a note explaining why we didn't have all items (3 24packs of crayons, 2 sets of markers, 10 glue sticks, 2 scissors- etc) and that should she run out I would replinish later in the year...

The teacher contacted me and said that it was ok because overages were for other kids... I really don't like that.

I used to love school supply shopping as a kid- getting special pencils or folders (We didn't have much extra money growing up- but mom used to always let us pick out something special) but now everything comes in and they say to NOT put names on anything since they are all going into a pile.

The worst for me though is the 48 sharpened pencils- she had on the list last year- what a pain that was to sharpen all those pencils and know that they would not be used by my child- I had to buy pencils for at home because they weren't allowed to take them home!!!

A private school my older kids attended had a "school supply fee" and all items were purchased in bulk by the school/teacher- and this fee paid for it- that way the teachers could buy all the same of everything that they wanted and I didn't have to worry about it- and it was much cheaper than getting the mass quantities of things like are on the lists now...

Many of our local stores- make packs of school supplies for the different grades for each school and you just grab a pack off the shelf and have everything... but my dd's school says not to use these since they specify Crayola brand markers and crayons- so that when they put them all together they will all be the same- and the packets use what ever is cheapest...

 

[aprilgail2]

One of my sons had on his list one year 48 pencils. Thats more than 1 a week. How could you go through that many?

That is nothing, for 1st grade my daughter had 100 pencils on her list- times that by 24 kids and I asked if perhaps they were constructing a new classroom out of them!!
What tics me off is that some of the classes tell you not to put your kids names on the supplies...they want to hand them out to the other kids that don't bring in supplies!!
This year for 3rd grade she needs:


36 pencils
2-24 count boxes of crayons
2- packs of post it notes
1- 8 count pack of markers
5 colored pocket folders
5 composition notebooks in colors to match each folder
10 blue pens
3 fabric book covers
5 packs of 3X5 index cards
1 box colored pencils
1 ruler
1 dictionary
1 sissor
1 container of no drip glue
4 glue sticks
1 pack of construction paper
1 large Mr Clean Magic Eraser
4 highlighters
1 pack lysol wipes
3 boxes of tissues
i pencil sharpener
1 smock
1 Thesaurus
1 large box of Gallon Ziplock Bags
1 bottle of hand sanitizer