Elementary teachers - what should be labeled ahead of time (4th grade)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got tired of buying supplies for children that don’t belong to me so we do sharpie plus label for everything. Except pencils, those we get custom off Etsy with name.

I still put supplies with names on them in the communal bin....

As you should! You're the ultimate ruler in that room and you can do whatever you want. And if kids get upset, too bad. Maybe it'll toughen them up a little when their nice crayons get taken away and replaced by some crap from Dollar Tree.

[Anonymous]

As a classroom teacher, at the beginning of the school year I go through everything, letting kids know (orally and in writing on the board) what to label and keep in their desks (markers, ruler, notebooks, etc), and what to put in a class bin (Kleenex, anti-bacterial wipes, extra pencils). If kids have already labeled their things, that’s fine. It’s a little bit of a laborious process as kids open package and get organized. It’s part of the process of starting the year and getting everything set up.

[Anonymous]

I label headphones, folders, notebooks, pencil boxes and things like protractors and water bottles. I send boxes and boxes of pencils and dry erase markers and glue and scissors for the teachers supplies. I also help room parents with snack requests. We have a lovely school with a lot of kids that can't afford many supplies so everyone helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got tired of buying supplies for children that don’t belong to me so we do sharpie plus label for everything. Except pencils, those we get custom off Etsy with name.

I still put supplies with names on them in the communal bin....

As you should! You're the ultimate ruler in that room and you can do whatever you want. And if kids get upset, too bad. Maybe it'll toughen them up a little when their nice crayons get taken away and replaced by some crap from Dollar Tree.

That’s why I tell my kids on the first day of every school year- don’t trust the teachers, some of them are communists and they’ll steal your school supplies!

[Anonymous]

Who are these teachers snatching and stealing school supplies from children????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a teacher and if things like crayons, pencils, and glue aren’t labeled they go into the bin I pull from when kids run out. If labeled I pull from there for those kids. I respect the labeling and send back anything we didn’t use.

Thank you, I wish all teachers were like you. I do label everything for my children in upper elementary school. They don't pool supplies starting in 2nd or 3rd grade at my children's FCPS ES. They have boxes/pouches and all their supplies go in there. I bought my kids a plastic box for her crayons since they always rips the cardboard box and teachers have always commented on how that's a great idea.

[Anonymous]

Label everything!

Twice.

[Anonymous]

Why label? I thought everything goes into the class supplies...?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why label? I thought everything goes into the class supplies...?

Not everyone does that. 21:48 here (from the first page of this thread) and I've never pooled class supplies. Most of the teachers I've worked with have done similar to what I do.

[Anonymous]

I think they pool supplies in younger grades but not older ones.

[Anonymous]

I only label the pencil box. Teachers usually provide notebook labels that have the students number and subject on them. They are instructed at meet the teacher day or first day of school what to keep in their pencil box and the rest goes in the communal bin.

I collect, save, and resend most items each year. I usually only buy new pencils and loose paper. The colored pencils get sharpened and resent, markers get tested and resent, folders get reused and teacher puts on a new label. I dont care if they ask for a 12 pack and I have only 10 or whatever, its fine. School supply lists are generally guidelines. You'll end up buying what they actually need throughout the year anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think they pool supplies in younger grades but not older ones.

I’ve taught 4th and 6th. The kids keep everything in their desk except extra pencils, glue sticks, post-its, and index cards.