$15 pack of pens?? For K??

[Anonymous]

Out teachers managed without whiteboards, and managed to both teach and supervise pencil sharpening. How come today's teachers are so much less capable?

[Anonymous]

If brands are included, it's likely a list generated from an online tool the teachers use so the PTA can pre-sell the school supply packs for the following school year. It's like shopping from a Staples or Office Depot. That same list is pushed to the school websites for parents to use. Like others have said, brand name items in some instances can make a difference. I didn't want to spend money on pre-sharpened pencils this year, thinking my electric pencil sharpener could do it. Six pencils in and my Staples brand pencils have been a big pain in the neck and at least an inch from each pencil is gone. I just ordered the pre-sharpened Ticonderoga ones off Amazon and totally kicking myself for not doing it from the start.

Ink pens are likely for the teacher to use for grading. My son's 2nd grade teacher had a specific pen she liked, but it was a wish list item for Teacher Appreciation Week, not something she requested as part of the school supplies. Get what you can afford and be ok with it. If you can spring a bit more, go ahead. Teachers really do A LOT that you don't even realize. I'm of the opinion that if I can do something to make their job easier, I'll do it.

[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.

I agree, though I'm not inclined to think that's the case with pens (unless they are the markers.) Otherwise Bic is fine.

[Anonymous]

OP never came back with specifics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never understood the supply list. Why?

Because kids need stuff like crayons and paper and scissors to do their school work. What's so hard to understand?

Right -- but why is each family buying supplies? It's really inefficient. Where I grew up, the supplies were part of the school's budget.

The olden days! The big box of scissors that would get passed around, the huge tub of white paste that tasted minty. The teacher would scoop a blob of paste onto a square of paper and put one on each table to share. There were also boxes of crayons, rulers, compasses, and rough paper. You were taught to be careful and frugal with the supplies. If you wanted anything fancier you brought your own.

However, I've had kids in the Fairfax system for 25(!) years now, and they've always had to buy school supplies and pool them for most of elementary. I'm convinced the teachers are selling/trading the scissors on the black market every year ("10 pairs Fiskars: will trade for 12-pack Expo markers"), because a halfway decent pair of scissors lasts decades.

[Anonymous]

Where do all the scissors go? Thousands of scissors are bought at the beginning of the school year in the United States. We need to get down on this situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Out teachers managed without whiteboards, and managed to both teach and supervise pencil sharpening. How come today's teachers are so much less capable?

Because the school districts have removed chalkboards / chalk and replaced them with whiteboards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Out teachers managed without whiteboards, and managed to both teach and supervise pencil sharpening. How come today's teachers are so much less capable?

You're complaining about whiteboards? They have replaced blackboards and chalk. Mind you, they also no longer have the punishment of cleaning brushes after school. That wouldn't be allowed anyway. The school division *should be* supplying funds for the dry erase markers. Did teachers have to buy their own chalk? I don't think so, I seem to remember my teachers going to the supply room for a box of chalk.

My kid went to school with regular pencils and his own pencil sharpener. No lineups anymore. I have no idea who decided that pencil sharpening wasn't okay. I know of one teacher who keeps containers of pencils on the counter. Sharpened, and dull. Kids who are done their work early sharpen pencils.

I don't think it's "less capable".. it's just changing. Our teachers were allowed to discipline, too and actually expect to be listened to. Those don't happen either.

[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.

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

and even then - so what? They're crayons for chrissake and your kindergartener isn't Picasso.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP never came back with specifics.

That's because it was made up. Pens aren't on the K supply list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP never came back with specifics.

That's because it was made up. Pens aren't on the K supply list.

They are at our school. Brand-name, at that.

/flips hair and flounces away.

[Anonymous]

"
Anonymous wrote:
OP never came back with specifics.


That's because it was made up. Pens aren't on the K supply list."

Nope. Just had a dead phone and then was out for the day without it.

It is certainly true. Brand is Papermate - Flair. Cost at target was $15.

[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.

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

and even then - so what? They're crayons for chrissake and your kindergartener isn't Picasso.

No, but crayola costs LESS per box than dollar store crap. Why provide waxy shit that literally doesn't color?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"
Anonymous wrote:
OP never came back with specifics.


That's because it was made up. Pens aren't on the K supply list."

Nope. Just had a dead phone and then was out for the day without it.

It is certainly true. Brand is Papermate - Flair. Cost at target was $15.

Lol yeah teacher wants those for grading. I would just by an equivalent cheaper felt tip pen.

[Anonymous]

People are so cheap. SHM.