Back-to-school means it's time to buy a new crop of school supplies, but every age and grade requires something slightly different. And while every school and teacher may have additional items not found here, or perhaps they don't require things that are included here, this school supplies list for grades kindergarten through fourth is a great place to start your school supply shopping. Plus, it's organized by grade for easy navigation. Don't forget a backpack, lunchbox and water bottle, and your school-bound child will be set up for success!
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Basic School Supplies List for Kindergarten
- Pencil box
- Markers
- Crayons
- Colored pencils
- Glue sticks
- #2 pencils
- Rubber eraser
- Pencil-top erasers
- Blunt-tip scissors
- Wide-rule composition books
- 3-prong pocket folders
- Kleenex
- Clorox wipes
MWT Tip: You can often find supply kits that are already built. Places like Teacher Tailored Kits and even Amazon have grade-appropriate kits already built. Here is a kindergarten kit on Amazon.
Basic School Supplies List for First Grade
- Pencil box
- Markers
- Crayons
- Colored pencils
- Glue sticks
- #2 pencils
- Rubber eraser
- Pencil-top erasers
- Blunt-tip scissors
- 12-inch ruler
- Wide-rule spiral notebook
- Wide-rule composition books
- 3-prong pocket folders
- Kleenex
- Clorox wipes
You can find an Amazon pre-built first grade box here.
Basic School Supplies List for Second Grade
- 3-prong pocket folders
- Wide-ruled notebook paper
- Wide-ruled spiral notebooks
- Wide-ruled composition notebook
- Crayons
- Colored pencils
- Glue sticks
- Pencil box or pouch
- Pink erasers
- Pencils
- Pencil-top erasers
- Blunt-tip scissors
- Kleenex
- Clorox wipes
You can find an Amazon pre-built second grade box here.
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Basic School Supplies List for Third Grade
- Pencils
- Pens
- Crayons
- Markers
- Colored pencils
- Highlighters
- Glue sticks
- Pencil box or pouch
- Composition notebooks
- Spiral-bound notebooks
- Index cards
- 12-inch ruler
- Scissors
- Erasers
- Pencil-top erasers
- 3-prong pocket folders
- Kleenex
- Clorox wipes
You can find an Amazon pre-built third grade box here.
Basic School Supplies List for Fourth Grade
- Crayons
- Markers
- Colored pencils
- #2 pencils
- Erasers
- Pencil-top erasers
- Pens
- Dry-erase markers
- Highlighters
- Black Sharpie
- Pencil box or pouch
- 3-prong pocket folders
- 1-inch binder
- Wide-ruled spiral notebooks
- Wide-ruled composition notebooks
- Wide-ruled notebook paper
- Index cards
- Dividers
- Scissors
- 12-inch ruler
- Kleenex
- Clorox wipes
You can find an Amazon pre-built box for fourth grade here.
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School Preparedness From the News
With back to school rapidly approaching, many news outlets are beginning to cover school preparedness and tips for kids returning to school. The Racine County Eye recently published an article with 11 tips for returning to school, to help kids be as prepared as possible.
Making sure your kids get vaccinated, outlining expectations for the year, helping children manage their time, and getting your kids on a routine were all listed as tips for helping get your kids prepared for school. Having your kids go to bed and get up at the times they would for school a couple of weeks before the school year will help them be ready when that first day comes.
Some schools face distinct challenges as they prepare to re-open for the 2023-24 school year. Shawnee Public Schools is looking to re-open after a devastating tornado that caused millions in damages. According to Kfor News, district officials hope to have as many repairs completed as possible by the time students arrive for their first day. Other schools face challenges in the wake of devastating fires and the threat of hurricanes.
It's important to be ready for emergencies that may occur at your child's school. You should have a backup contact that the school, and your child, can reach in the event that their parents are unavailable. Grandparents are a good choice; if this isn't an option, consider a trusted neighbor or close friend. Having someone who can pick your child up from school in the event of an emergency is crucial.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Billion Photos/Shutterstock.com.