Supplies for Middle School Students

I know it might sound a little funny, but writing utensils (pens and pencils) become really important when you get to middle school. What's so different about pencils in middle school?

It's simple, really. Students will find themselves writing a lot more when they get into the sixth grade. Book report requirements might be two pages instead of two paragraphs, journal entries will be much more involved, and tests will invlove long essay answers. If you've ever tried to write a long passage with a cheap pencil and a bad eraser, you can image how frustrating middle school could be with a bad set of pencils!

Middle school students face new challenges. It's so important to find the right set of tools for middle school students. After all, you want to give yourself every possible advantage at this special time of your academic career!

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High School Supplies

One of the best ways to be successful in high school is to be prepared for any assignment that comes your way.

It's a good idea to keep an inventory of supplies on hand, so you'll be ready when it really counts. Avoid those last-minute trips to the store! This list contains recommended supplies for high school.

General Supplies for Every High School Student

Some supplies are necessary year after year, no matter what grade you're in. When you're planning for a new school year, it's pretty safe to invest in these.

• Flash drive
• 3-ring binder
• Backpack
• Colored pencils
• Colored pens
• Eraser
• Glue stick
• Graph paper
• Hand sanitizer
• Highlighters
• Markers
• Organizer/planner
• Paper clips
• Pens/pencils
• Pencil sharpener
• Pocket dictionary
• Pocket folders
• Poster paper
• Public Library card
• Ream of computer paper
• Scissors
• Spiral notebook
• Stapler
• Thesaurus
• Tissues

Some extra supplies will be necessary each year, but the specific requirements will differ from school to school and grade to grade. This list is a guideline. Check with your teachers for specifics!

Supplies for Tenth Grade

Algebra II

• Scientific calculator with fraction key

Geometry

• Scientific calculator with fraction key
• Circular protractor
• Ruler marked with in and cm
• Compass

Foreign Language

• Index cards
• Foreign Language Dictionary

Supplies for Eleventh Grade

Biology II

• Science/Biology dictionary

Calculus

• Graphing calculator, such as TI -83 or 86
• Graphing paper

Accounting

• Four-function calculator with percent key

Foreign Language

• 3x5 Index cards
• Foreign language dictionary
• Translator

Supplies for Twelfth Grade

Marketing

• Four-function calculator with percent key

Statistics

• Scientific calculator with fraction key

ChemistryPhysicsForeign Language

• 3x5 Index cards
• Foreign language dictionary
• Electronic translator

Pricey But Worth It

• Smartpen by Livescribe: This is a favorite tool for math class. Students always seem to "get it" when a math teacher lectures and works out problems, but then they "lose it" when they sit down to do math problems on their own. The Smartpen enables students to record a lecture while taking notes. The pen will enable the student to place the pen tip on any word or drawing and listen to the part of the lecture that was taking place when those notes were recorded.
• Post-It? Easel Pads: This item is useful for brainstorming, but it's a little pricey. It's basically a pad of giant sticky notes that you can put on a wall or any other surface and cover with a mind-dump of notes, list items, ideas, or anything else. This tool is great for study group brainstorming sessions.
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• Laptop Computer: You will have access to computer labs on campus, but a laptop computer will free you up to do your work anywhere.
• Printer/Scanner: If you can afford to have a own printer in your room, be sure to get a printer with scanning capabilities. Scanners can be used to create study guides from your books.

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Design Your Own Supplies

Want to express yourself through your school supplies? If you have an artistic flair, or if you just like to make a statement, you can create your own personalized notebooks and folders for school. Note: this is a little more expensive than buying notebook paper, but it is a great way to make a splash!

Supplies for Making Spiral Notebooks

• Package of ruled paper sheets (not attached to each other)
• White card stock paper or glossy photo paper
• Art supplies

Also needed

• Binding service (cost is 5-7 dollars per notebook)
• Scanner (option 1)
• Printer (option 1)
• Laminating machine (option 2)

Notebook Option One

Step 1 - Create your art work on any type of paper measuring 9 by 11 inches.
Step 2 - Scan your work and open it in a picture editor. Make any creative design adjustments. You may want to add your name or type a statement about a particular class, like "My Literature Notes."
Step 3 - Print your design on glossy photo paper.
Step 4 - Put your cover art on top of a stack of note paper. Place card paper on the bottom.
Step 5 - Take the creation to a print shop that offers binding services. You have several options for binding it all together, such as spiral binding, booklet binding, wire binding, and tape binding.

Notebook Option Two

If you don’t have access to a scanner, photo editor, and printer, you can use your original artwork as your notebook cover.

Step 1 - Create your art on heavy card stock paper.
Step 2 - Find a laminating machine and have your creation laminated. This will protect your artwork. You can find a machine like this at school, at most offices, at church, and at the print shop.
Step 3 - Put your cover art on top of a stack of note paper. Place heavy card paper on the bottom.
Step 4 - Take the creation to a print shop that offers copying services as well as binding services. Have several color copies made of your artwork.
Step 5 - You have several options for binding it all together, such as spiral binding, booklet binding, wire binding, and tape binding.

Matching Folders

Now that you have several copies of your artwork, you can make folders to match your spiral notebook.

The easiest way to do this is to buy inexpensive folders and glue your design to the front. If you want to get creative, simply staple or glue your art to card stock paper to make a front and back panel. Then cut a separate card stock sheet into thirds. Glue or staple the small sheets inside your covers to make pockets.

You can shop around for pens, pencils, and other supplies that match your creations!

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