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With distance learning the new standard of normal, back-to-school season feels much different this year. Don’t let at-home classrooms throw you off your game. Follow these easy school shopping lists for kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school, as well as distance learning tips to help you and your children have a successful school year.
Kindergarten Shopping List
As you begin your back-to-school supply shopping, it’s helpful to divide up your school shopping lists by level of education. For the little ones just starting out in kindergarten, here are the core supplies you’ll want to have on hand.
Download our printable back to school shopping list PDF and use it as your go-to shopping checklist here: Back to School Shopping List for Kindergarten PDF
Organization Supplies:
- Plastic folders
Writing Supplies:
- Pencil box
- Crayons
- Colored pencils
- Washable markers
- No. 2 pencils
- Pencil grips
- Pencil sharpener
- Erasers
- Wide-ruled notebooks
Other Supplies:
- Glue sticks/Washable liquid glue
- Blunt-tipped scissors
- Assorted construction paper
Distance Learning Supplies:
- Desktop computer, laptop, or tablet
- Strong Wi-Fi connection
- Hand sanitizer
- Box of tissues
- Comfortable, school-appropriate clothing fit for “recess time” at home
Elementary School Shopping List
If you have children making their way through elementary school, your back-to-school supply shopping will look a little different than kindergarten. Run through this school shopping list to grab all the necessities your child will need.
Download our printable back to school shopping list PDF and use it as your go-to shopping checklist here: Back to School Shopping List for Elementary School PDF
Organization Supplies:
- Personal calendar
- Three-ring binder
- Three-hole punch
- Plastic folders
- Index cards
- Subject dividers
Writing Supplies:
- Pencil pouch
- No. 2 pencils/Mechanical pencils
- Pencil sharpener
- Highlighters
- Erasers
- Markers/Crayons/Colored pencils
- Spiral notebooks/Loose-leaf paper
- Ballpoint pens
Other Supplies:
- Glue sticks
- Scissors
- Calculator
- Ruler
Distance Learning Supplies:
- Desktop computer, laptop, or tablet
- Strong Wi-Fi connection
- Hand sanitizer
- Pack of tissues
- Comfortable, school-appropriate clothing fit for “recess time” at home
Middle & High School Shopping List
Once your child has reached middle and high school age, you both are professionals at the back-to-school season. Even though basic supplies like pens and binders are a given, there are a few items you won’t want to forget. Follow this school shopping list to get everything your child needs for success!
Download our printable back to school shopping list PDF and use it as your go-to shopping checklist here: Back to School Shopping List for Middle and High School PDF
Organization Supplies:
- Personal calendar
- Folders
- Index cards
- Subject dividers
- Three-ring binder
- Three-hole punch
- Post-Its
Writing Supplies:
- Spiral notebooks
- White-out
- Erasers
- Pencil sharpener
- Pencil pouch
- Ballpoint pens
- No. 2 pencils/Mechanical pencils
- Permanent markers/Colored Pencils
- Highlighters
Other Supplies:
- Scissors
- Protractor & ruler
- Glue
- Graphing or scientific calculator
Distance Learning Supplies:
- Desktop computer, laptop, or tablet
- Strong Wi-Fi connection
- Hand sanitizer
- Pack of tissues
- Comfortable, school-appropriate clothing
- Workout clothing for a simulated P.E. class (physical education)
Distance Learning Tips
As you and your children try your best to conquer distance learning at home, it’s important to give yourselves the time to get used to the new environment and way of learning. Follow these distance learning tips to help the process go smoother!
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Establish Routines & Expectations
Even though children are now learning at home, the same schedule and expectations that come with going to school should be followed. It’s easy to let your kids fall into a habit of waking up late and getting distracted by their electronic devices, but that can be the biggest downfall to their success.
Instead, create a reasonably flexible routine to be followed throughout the week. Encourage early bedtime and school start time, while enforcing rules for good behavior. Get rid of distractions as much as you can and set clear guidelines so that your kids can be held accountable for their behavior.
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Dress for Success
This distance learning tip isn’t necessarily mandatory, but it can be a huge help when it comes to your kids’ productivity throughout the school year. Encourage them to change out of their pajamas and get dressed as they would for a normal day on a school campus. This not only puts them in the mindset for learning but helps to establish boundaries between school time and relaxation time at home.
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Check-in With Your Kids
Whether you’re a working parent or you stay at home full time, it’s crucial to regularly check in with your kids throughout the school day. It’s not only the perfect time to explain teacher instructions, but it also helps your children set priorities and organize their schedules. For adolescents, you can make a point of checking in at the beginning of the day and at the end. Here are a few questions you can ask them during your check-ins.
Morning Check-In:
- What classes/subjects do you have today?
- Do you have any assessments?
- How will you spend your time?
- What resources do you need?
- What can I do to help?
End-of-Day Check-In:
- How far did you get in your learning tasks today?
- What did you discover? What was hard?
- What could we do to make tomorrow better?
Now that you have your school shopping lists and distance learning tips, you and your children are ready to tackle back-to-school season! Make sure to download and print out your child’s supplies list, so you can easily use it as you shop around Target or Walmart!
