I disagree about the zipper binders. They are way too bulky to carry around in an already VERY heavy backpack with computer, charger, and (maybe) lunch. The folders are so much more streamlined and they can just get one small thing out when they need it. Most days they never get a folder/binder out at all and just use their computer. Why carry around that enormous zipper binder?

Anonymous wrote:My kids love this with a bunch of pocket dividers https://www.target.com/p/five-star-2-34-sewn-zipper-binder-with-expansion-panel-black-gray/-/A-87868426

I don’t recommend the A day B day separate binder system. My often want to work on A things in school on B day and vice versa. My kids have giant piles of paper so they definitely did a lot of paperwork this year.

Beyond that it’s the usual pencils, highlighters, colored pencils, erasers, loose leaf paper, and a huge backpack.

The zipper binder is awesome! Some even have shoulder straps which are nice. Get the biggest one you can find. The accordion folder could also work well depending on the class. I had my students keep a binder table of contents with items I expected them to keep throughout a unit (each of those items had a number). I had some students do that with an accordion folder too, but it was a bit more challenging.

As a teacher, I also don't recommend the separate A and B day binder due to advisory. Kids who use this system often end up not having the materials/assignments they need when they go for help during Advisory because it is in the binder for the other day. It could work if the students brings both binders on Advisory Day (A day in most schools), but it is something to be aware of.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the A/B schedule, get your kid a separate backback in 2 different colors for A and B days.

It works better than 2 different colored binders.

So you’d have to transfer your pencil pouch and calculator and cell phone from one backpack to the other every day? This is the absolutel worst idea I’ve ever heard!!!

Math is only every other day. The calculator stays in the math day backpack.

It is not hard or expensive to have 2 sets of pencils.

The kid switches the laptop each night after doing homework.

You are delusional if you think your kid keeps their cell phone in their backpack all night, and doesn't walk out the door in the morning with the cellphone in their hand in front of their face. The cell phone is completely a non issue.

Switching backpacks was an idea given to me from some older high schoolers who were brilliant, organized, high achieving students. We skeptically tried it with our middle schooler who was struggling with the every other day schedule that all the FCPS middle schools switched to. The two backpack technique was truly life changing for my kid. The results were so much better than using 2 binders. I would recommend it to anyone whose middle schooler is going to a fcps school using that AB schedule.

K


We obviously parent very differently. Mine isn’t allowed to keep their phone overnight in their room. It goes into charging mode in our room and then is placed in the backpack the night before. My child does not use his phone in the morning ever as it would slow him down.

How does your child work on math on the days they don’t have math? For example, in study hall period? My child’s study hall period was not on the same day as his math class. He needed his math binder with them on the alternative days. In fact, he needed his materials from the other binder in study hall all the time.

I think 2 colored binders would work fine and no need to switch anything. Just pack both daily. Actually, I believe we only used one binder and all subjects fit in there! One binder with pocket dividers and one backpack! Easy peasy.

Yeah, mine wasn't allowed to keep their phone in their room either, nor did they have unlimited internet access either. Their phone was pretty locked down.

However, I am not buying for a minute that your kids phone was safely hidden away in their backpack all day. Guarantee that thing was in your kid's hand the second they walked out the door, and that his phone was the one item he would never, ever forget on his way to school or anywhere.

This worked perfectly for my kid in 7th last yr. We’re getting another for 8th. We got dividers, paper, Pencil case, 3 hole punch, planner, etc and it all fit inside. There’s very little time btwn classes and DC was grateful to easily keep all stuff in one place.

https://a.co/d/8m7aJyA

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the A/B schedule, get your kid a separate backback in 2 different colors for A and B days.

It works better than 2 different colored binders.

So you’d have to transfer your pencil pouch and calculator and cell phone from one backpack to the other every day? This is the absolutel worst idea I’ve ever heard!!!

Math is only every other day. The calculator stays in the math day backpack.

It is not hard or expensive to have 2 sets of pencils.

The kid switches the laptop each night after doing homework.

You are delusional if you think your kid keeps their cell phone in their backpack all night, and doesn't walk out the door in the morning with the cellphone in their hand in front of their face. The cell phone is completely a non issue.

Switching backpacks was an idea given to me from some older high schoolers who were brilliant, organized, high achieving students. We skeptically tried it with our middle schooler who was struggling with the every other day schedule that all the FCPS middle schools switched to. The two backpack technique was truly life changing for my kid. The results were so much better than using 2 binders. I would recommend it to anyone whose middle schooler is going to a fcps school using that AB schedule.

We obviously parent very differently. Mine isn’t allowed to keep their phone overnight in their room. It goes into charging mode in our room and then is placed in the backpack the night before. My child does not use his phone in the morning ever as it would slow him down.

How does your child work on math on the days they don’t have math? For example, in study hall period? My child’s study hall period was not on the same day as his math class. He needed his math binder with them on the alternative days. In fact, he needed his materials from the other binder in study hall all the time.

I think 2 colored binders would work fine and no need to switch anything. Just pack both daily. Actually, I believe we only used one binder and all subjects fit in there! One binder with pocket dividers and one backpack! Easy peasy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the A/B schedule, get your kid a separate backback in 2 different colors for A and B days.

It works better than 2 different colored binders.

So you’d have to transfer your pencil pouch and calculator and cell phone from one backpack to the other every day? This is the absolutel worst idea I’ve ever heard!!!

Math is only every other day. The calculator stays in the math day backpack.

It is not hard or expensive to have 2 sets of pencils.

The kid switches the laptop each night after doing homework.

You are delusional if you think your kid keeps their cell phone in their backpack all night, and doesn't walk out the door in the morning with the cellphone in their hand in front of their face. The cell phone is completely a non issue.

Switching backpacks was an idea given to me from some older high schoolers who were brilliant, organized, high achieving students. We skeptically tried it with our middle schooler who was struggling with the every other day schedule that all the FCPS middle schools switched to. The two backpack technique was truly life changing for my kid. The results were so much better than using 2 binders. I would recommend it to anyone whose middle schooler is going to a fcps school using that AB schedule.

At that age it was the peak of joy for her to find exactly the right pencil cases and notebooks with all her favorite animals on them (wolves). We spent a lot of time looking on Amazon for all her stuff, and it made her very happy to have them

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the A/B schedule, get your kid a separate backback in 2 different colors for A and B days.

It works better than 2 different colored binders.

What a stupid idea! You do understand that a different binder in each backpack is essentially the same as 2 different binders? Why on earth would you have 2 backpacks?! lol.

They have a study hall period every other day - sometimes you want to work on stuff from classes the previous day and would need your previous day’s binder. Which would be in your alternative backpack at home?! Really bad idea.

It sounds like PP may have a child with severe ADHD. I can see how this might be a good system for a child that needs a lot of help with executive functioning. Good for them for finding something that works for their child.

Anonymous wrote:For the A/B schedule, get your kid a separate backback in 2 different colors for A and B days.

It works better than 2 different colored binders.

So you’d have to transfer your pencil pouch and calculator and cell phone from one backpack to the other every day? This is the absolutel worst idea I’ve ever heard!!!

Anonymous wrote:My kids both preferred a folder for each class. Binders are too bulky for the backpack and it's annoying to have to open and close the rings all the time.
Other than that, really just some paper, a pencil pouch with pencils, erasable pens, eraser, maybe a highlighter.
Deodorant for after PE.

Most teachers requested a binder.

Anonymous wrote:For the A/B schedule, get your kid a separate backback in 2 different colors for A and B days.

It works better than 2 different colored binders.

What a stupid idea! You do understand that a different binder in each backpack is essentially the same as 2 different binders? Why on earth would you have 2 backpacks?! lol.

They have a study hall period every other day - sometimes you want to work on stuff from classes the previous day and would need your previous day’s binder. Which would be in your alternative backpack at home?! Really bad idea.

My kids both preferred a folder for each class. Binders are too bulky for the backpack and it's annoying to have to open and close the rings all the time.
Other than that, really just some paper, a pencil pouch with pencils, erasable pens, eraser, maybe a highlighter.
Deodorant for after PE.

Anonymous wrote:sheet protectors and graph paper are two things that are handy to have at the ready. It always pops up on some teacher's list randomly and if the shelf is cleared at Target it's a real PITA to track down. Also, so many colored pencils.

You can always buy paper from Amazon.

Anonymous wrote:For the A/B schedule, get your kid a separate backback in 2 different colors for A and B days.

It works better than 2 different colored binders.

this doesn’t work for schools with Anchor Days because all classes meet on this day.

For the A/B schedule, get your kid a separate backback in 2 different colors for A and B days.

It works better than 2 different colored binders.