When my kids were in elementary school, the all around excitement level for back to school shopping was high. Personalized pencils and pencil cases, color coordinated lunch boxes and backpacks – we were in it to win it. Fast forward a few years though and with three kids needing different supplies, I just started ordering the ready made kits from the PTA to save both time and energy. Everything was delivered directly to their classroom and I never had to engage the crowd of parents in the school supply section. Easy peasy!
But everything changes as they grow up! When my oldest started his first year of junior high we bought everything on the supply list provided by the school. EVERYTHING! You know what we quickly found out? They never touch most of it. Some supplies went completely unused and even worse, during the year some teachers requested additional supplies that were not on the list in the first place. Since then, we have revised our approach to make sure we get all of the supplies we definitely need without the waste. And I also like to include a few of the extra items that make it all a little more fun.
Welcome to the (Technology) Jungle
I know a lot of kids start using phones in elementary school for various reasons. However, I never felt it was a necessity for mine at that time. That all tends to change in junior high and high school. A lot of schools rely heavily on apps to record grades, hand out and turn in homework assignments, and even take quizzes. Teachers also use educational apps and QR codes to communicate and disperse information. Not to mention, your child’s world is getting bigger. They are making new friends and gaining independence. They’re learning how to manage their time and using a calendar app can help. I know it can be controversial, but we found that a smart phone was a great way for them to stay connected and organized while navigating all that comes with junior high and high school. If you do end up going that route, be sure to protect that investment with a sturdy case!
Back to School Shopping: Keep it Simple!
I recommend you just start with a few basics when back to school shopping for your teen because you can and will probably need to add more later. Generally, here is what we make sure to have at the start of each year:
- Pencils
- Pens
- Highlighters
- A few spirals
- An expandable folder: This is my favorite school supply for my teenagers. Label the tabs for each class and it becomes a catch all for papers that come home for each subject. Get a large enough one that you can drop a few spiral notebooks in there as well if the class requires it.
- Big Backpack: Kids really don’t use lockers much anymore. Either there aren’t enough to go around or its just not seen as “cool.” Whatever the reason, they will likely carry their entire life on their backs all day long. Make sure you get one big enough for all the things with soft adjustable straps.
- Teachers will likely ask for more specific supplies during that first week of school. You may find that some classes require things like a calculator, dividers, graph paper, a math kit, or a Spanish dictionary. But I recommend you wait on these items until you find out for sure.
The Fun Stuff
Of course, back to school shopping for teens has got to include some fun stuff too!
- Mini stapler and hole punch: Keep those papers organized
- Locker Organizer/Decor: I know I said they don’t use lockers much, but there is an exception. If they have an elective with a locker like PE or band, they will be using this one more frequently. Why not give it some flair and personality?
- Planner: Some kids can use their phones for time management but some kids do better putting pencil to paper.
- Hand Sanitizer: If your kid isn’t asking for one of these yet, they will be soon. Who knew keeping your hands clean could be so trendy?
- Pencil Pouch
- Lanyards: In recent years, more and more secondary schools are requiring students to wear their student I.D. at all times. Most schools provide (or sell at low cost) a lanyard attached to a plastic sleeve for kids to wear the I.D. around their neck. This is also an item that can be used for more than one year, particularly as your child gets older. It’s practical and low cost, but not cute. Several companies sell colorful, stylish lanyards and I.D holders to mix and match. Look for one with an extra pocket to stash things for easy access. They can even print off a tiny image of their schedule and keep it tucked in there for those first few weeks as they’re getting used to everything.
This year, keep back to school shopping simple for your teens: stick to your plan and find something fun. Have a great school year!
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