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.

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.

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

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.

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

Label everything!

Twice.

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.