$15 pack of pens?? For K??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Guys they aren't forcing you to buy the name brand. They put the name brand on there so you know what type they need. If they put "soft tip fine point marker pen for writing" you would be like "wtf?" They say Sharpie, you get it and can then get the generic version if you want.

No, at our school, they definitely specify they put the name brand because they want you to buy that brand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Buy a $2.00 pack of Bic pens.

Your kindergartner will not use the pens.

The teachers do not care or notice if you bring the specific brand of expensive pens.

Why are they on the list then?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm guessing these are either Expo dry erase markers or Sharpies, neither of which would actually be used by the kids, so I wouldn't buy them.

Kids use dry erase markers all the time!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm guessing these are either Expo dry erase markers or Sharpies, neither of which would actually be used by the kids, so I wouldn't buy them.

Expo dry erase ARE used by the kids on white boards. Get with the times.

[Anonymous]

Teachers put a specific brand because in their experience they have found that brand offers a superior product that will not break, bleed, or provide sub-par results. Dollar store brands suck. The crayons are not the same quality as Crayola. The glue sticks don't stick or dry out faster. The markers dry out faster or bleed through paper. There is a reason those products are less expensive than certain brands. If it is a matter of spending 30 cents more on Crayola rather than the cheapo brand then just spend the 30 cents. It won't break you. Just skip your Starbucks coffee that week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teachers put a specific brand because in their experience they have found that brand offers a superior product that will not break, bleed, or provide sub-par results. Dollar store brands suck. The crayons are not the same quality as Crayola. The glue sticks don't stick or dry out faster. The markers dry out faster or bleed through paper. There is a reason those products are less expensive than certain brands. If it is a matter of spending 30 cents more on Crayola rather than the cheapo brand then just spend the 30 cents. It won't break you. Just skip your Starbucks coffee that week.

This is true for crayons. This is ridiculous for pens for kindergarteners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The best schools have the best supplies, if you can't afford it go to a lower rated school

I'm not following your logic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teachers put a specific brand because in their experience they have found that brand offers a superior product that will not break, bleed, or provide sub-par results. Dollar store brands suck. The crayons are not the same quality as Crayola. The glue sticks don't stick or dry out faster. The markers dry out faster or bleed through paper. There is a reason those products are less expensive than certain brands. If it is a matter of spending 30 cents more on Crayola rather than the cheapo brand then just spend the 30 cents. It won't break you. Just skip your Starbucks coffee that week.

I have never bought Starbucks so skipping it might be a problem. I sent my kid with generic crayons last year and all came back fine except one which he said broke because he dropped them. Teach your kid to take better care of their stuff. Problem solved. His glue sticks from last year were fine. He's using them again this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers put a specific brand because in their experience they have found that brand offers a superior product that will not break, bleed, or provide sub-par results. Dollar store brands suck. The crayons are not the same quality as Crayola. The glue sticks don't stick or dry out faster. The markers dry out faster or bleed through paper. There is a reason those products are less expensive than certain brands. If it is a matter of spending 30 cents more on Crayola rather than the cheapo brand then just spend the 30 cents. It won't break you. Just skip your Starbucks coffee that week.

I have never bought Starbucks so skipping it might be a problem. I sent my kid with generic crayons last year and all came back fine except one which he said broke because he dropped them. Teach your kid to take better care of their stuff. Problem solved. His glue sticks from last year were fine. He's using them again this year.

I guess your school doesn't pool supplies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The best schools have the best supplies, if you can't afford it go to a lower rated school

I'm not following your logic.

I think the PP was posting tongue in cheek.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers put a specific brand because in their experience they have found that brand offers a superior product that will not break, bleed, or provide sub-par results. Dollar store brands suck. The crayons are not the same quality as Crayola. The glue sticks don't stick or dry out faster. The markers dry out faster or bleed through paper. There is a reason those products are less expensive than certain brands. If it is a matter of spending 30 cents more on Crayola rather than the cheapo brand then just spend the 30 cents. It won't break you. Just skip your Starbucks coffee that week.

I have never bought Starbucks so skipping it might be a problem. I sent my kid with generic crayons last year and all came back fine except one which he said broke because he dropped them. Teach your kid to take better care of their stuff. Problem solved. His glue sticks from last year were fine. He's using them again this year.

I guess your school doesn't pool supplies.

Some they did, some they did not. Each kid was allowed a pencil box.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Guys they aren't forcing you to buy the name brand. They put the name brand on there so you know what type they need. If they put "soft tip fine point marker pen for writing" you would be like "wtf?" They say Sharpie, you get it and can then get the generic version if you want.

Exactly!

[Anonymous]

Let me guess - Expo Dry Erase?

Are any of you actually early childhood teachers who use these things daily? The reason many teachers ask for specific supplies by brand name is because there can be real differences among them.

Pencils, for example: generic or cutesy pencils can splinter and not sharpen well, so that when a kid goes to sharpen it they just drill it down to a nub in a matter of days because it can't ever get smooth. Ticonderoga pencils, however, will sharpen cleanly and last longer. In other words, the teacher won't be asking for more pencils at winter break if all the kids bring in Ticonderoga pencils.

Same goes for brand name dry erase (which little kids do use in many schools on small white boards). Have you ever seen little kids use dry erase? They'll dry them out in DAYS. Leave the lids off, etc... Expo lasts longer and won't be dead after having the cap left off for 5 hours...other brands will need to be trashed.

Kleenex v. Target tissues - who cares.
Target v. Mead folders - whatever.
Erasers, school boxes, cleaning wipes - just get what you want to get.

But for some things the brand DOES make a difference in quality. It's not because the teacher is snobby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let me guess - Expo Dry Erase?

Are any of you actually early childhood teachers who use these things daily? The reason many teachers ask for specific supplies by brand name is because there can be real differences among them.

Pencils, for example: generic or cutesy pencils can splinter and not sharpen well, so that when a kid goes to sharpen it they just drill it down to a nub in a matter of days because it can't ever get smooth. Ticonderoga pencils, however, will sharpen cleanly and last longer. In other words, the teacher won't be asking for more pencils at winter break if all the kids bring in Ticonderoga pencils.

Same goes for brand name dry erase (which little kids do use in many schools on small white boards). Have you ever seen little kids use dry erase? They'll dry them out in DAYS. Leave the lids off, etc... Expo lasts longer and won't be dead after having the cap left off for 5 hours...other brands will need to be trashed.

Kleenex v. Target tissues - who cares.
Target v. Mead folders - whatever.
Erasers, school boxes, cleaning wipes - just get what you want to get.

But for some things the brand DOES make a difference in quality. It's not because the teacher is snobby.

My kid asked for cute pencils. I'd rather buy twice as many cute pencils than the Ticonderoga brand and make him happy and its cheaper. The Ticonderoga is nothing special.

As a teacher, be more responsible with the materials. Absolutely no reason that lids should be off for days. Check them or have the kids check them after use. Its easy for you to be ok with waste as it is not your money. You can just demand more. Yes, I buy the cheapest supplies. My kid takes care of his stuff at home. Why should I spend $4 on a pack of dry erase when the $1 ones work fine for him and they've lasted forever in our home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let me guess - Expo Dry Erase?

Are any of you actually early childhood teachers who use these things daily? The reason many teachers ask for specific supplies by brand name is because there can be real differences among them.

Pencils, for example: generic or cutesy pencils can splinter and not sharpen well, so that when a kid goes to sharpen it they just drill it down to a nub in a matter of days because it can't ever get smooth. Ticonderoga pencils, however, will sharpen cleanly and last longer. In other words, the teacher won't be asking for more pencils at winter break if all the kids bring in Ticonderoga pencils.

Same goes for brand name dry erase (which little kids do use in many schools on small white boards). Have you ever seen little kids use dry erase? They'll dry them out in DAYS. Leave the lids off, etc... Expo lasts longer and won't be dead after having the cap left off for 5 hours...other brands will need to be trashed.

Kleenex v. Target tissues - who cares.
Target v. Mead folders - whatever.
Erasers, school boxes, cleaning wipes - just get what you want to get.

But for some things the brand DOES make a difference in quality. It's not because the teacher is snobby.

My kid asked for cute pencils. I'd rather buy twice as many cute pencils than the Ticonderoga brand and make him happy and its cheaper. The Ticonderoga is nothing special.

As a teacher, be more responsible with the materials. Absolutely no reason that lids should be off for days. Check them or have the kids check them after use. Its easy for you to be ok with waste as it is not your money. You can just demand more. Yes, I buy the cheapest supplies. My kid takes care of his stuff at home. Why should I spend $4 on a pack of dry erase when the $1 ones work fine for him and they've lasted forever in our home.

I'm sure you and your child are perfect at home. But school is not home and nowadays most supplies are pooled.

Teachers are overworked. Do you want your kid's teacher to supervise pencil sharpening or teach - because you can only pick one.