Since we seem to be starting to talk about back to school shopping lets share some things we've bought in the past that didn't work out. Maybe we can help each other avoid some pitfalls.
Quoting steelcrazy:
Buy a full sized backpack, even for kindergarteners. The junior ones are typically too small to fit a standard sized folder in them.
This. Plus, don't get character backpacks - even if you're kindergartener falls in love with it. They don't last at all and you'll be replacing it halfway through the year. Get a good brand backpack such as Jansport, LL Bean or Land's End. If monogramming the backpack, only do initials (for safety).
This year I am not cutting corner on pencils. The cheap pencils eraser sucks and it is hard to sharpen.
I was goign to say pencils too. And try to the cheap glue sticks, if you have to buy in bulk like 20, because in my experience those things melt and get tacky after a month of storage. So if you don't recognize the name, they usually don't last long in storage.
I bought my daughter a back pack and lunch bag from LL Bean when she started K. Well now she is in 8th and she still has them. They are worth the investment.The only thing I would have done different I would go with a non gender color so I could have passed them to my son.
Quoting jen113000:
The cheaper bookbags from places like target/walmart. My son was only in K last year and his bookbag got holes in the bottom pretty quickly.
Quoting janitablue:
This year I am not cutting corner on pencils. The cheap pencils eraser sucks and it is hard to sharpen.
Our school requests that we only buy Ticonderoga pencils for this reason. Not everyone does because of the price, but most do.
Quoting SweetPea2004:
Buy crayola Rose Art suck.
I agree with cheap $10 book bags. My kids are rough with their bags and need ones that are going to last. I also got so sick of purchasing those cheap paper pocket folders. They last only a few weeks before you have to tape them back together or replace them. I spend a little more and purchase plastic ones for my kids. In fact the only folder's that the 3rd grade teachers want this year are the plastic ones. They hold up better than the paper ones.
Quoting magsrobsmom:
Quoting janitablue:
This year I am not cutting corner on pencils. The cheap pencils eraser sucks and it is hard to sharpen.
Our school requests that we only buy Ticonderoga pencils for this reason. Not everyone does because of the price, but most do.
When doing 5th grade supply shopping, I asked my son if any of the brands make a difference for the supplies. He said buying the Ticonderoga pencils was the only item worth buying the name brand because they break a lot less then the cheaper pencil brands. There was a terrific sale on them at Target, and so I picked up a couple extra for the classroom that year.
Other than that, we just bought whatever was cheapest.
Quoting Traci_Momof2:
Quoting steelcrazy:
Buy a full sized backpack, even for kindergarteners. The junior ones are typically too small to fit a standard sized folder in them.
This. Plus, don't get character backpacks - even if you're kindergartener falls in love with it. They don't last at all and you'll be replacing it halfway through the year. Get a good brand backpack such as Jansport, LL Bean or Land's End. If monogramming the backpack, only do initials (for safety).
I will not miss Math Homework!
- maxswolfsuit
on Jul. 3, 2012 at 9:01 AM