What to put in a pencil case for a new year 7?

gingin_2

Ds starts his new secondary school next week and he needs to take a pencil case. They didn't need them at their old school so I wondering if anyone had anyone had any good suggestions on what he might need so I don't over/under fill.

Thanks

azana_2

gluestick, proper pen for writing, fibre tips, pencils, sharpener, ruler and a few coloured pencils, possibly some scissors. Name everything if you can/your child doesn't think that is not cool. Check if the school sent a list - sometimes they need special stuff for eg maths? Our school sends a list.

Boring but some schools don't allow tippex etc and, actually you probably don't want to buy too much as some will inevitably go astray, I really wouldn't buy too much stuff.

Good luck with the new school - it's sometimes a tricky time for year 7 as quite a jump but generally it doesn't take them too long to find their feet I find.

Sammy85_2

Pens - red, blue and a couple of black
Pencil(s)
Sharpner
Rubber
A highlighter pen
Ruler

I would also get him one of those oxford maths sets, with the protractors etc in them. He neednt take it every day, but useful to have it ready for when it is needed. Also Calculators... check which one the school recommends.. They usually have a particular one they like to use so that they dont spend ages trying to figure out the functions on each childs calculator.

Dont go overboard at the start, he'll soon let you know if there is something in particular needed.

Nicki

Ds is starting in a few days too. I've got some black pens, a red pen, some pencils, a science instruments set (protractor, set square, compass, etc) and a ruler. Also some colouring pencils for home and some felt tips. I've also got a duplicate set of everything hidden away for the evening he comes home and tells me he cant do the homework set for the next day because he has left his pencil case at school

Alikay

Pencil, rubber, sharpener, ruler, blue red and black ball point pens and a small pack of colouring pencils for shading graphs, maps etc. Lots of schools prefer you to buy calculators through the school so everyone has the same and they can all learn to use the scientific functions together.

A small notebook is handy too, and I'm sure they'll be expected to supply other bits and as they go along so be prepared to buy stuff during the first couple of weeks.

pavlovs_dog

I'm a secondary school teacher, and for the first few weeks our year 7s do seem to have most of WH Smiths in their pencil cases! I'd recommend

Pens (black and blue for writing, red/green for special work that needs to stand out). Get biros if your child is not used to using inky pens
HB pencil, sharpener, rubber
Ruler
a small set of highlighters is useful
small set of colouring pencils
scissors
small glue stick
basic maths set (compass, protractor, set square).
if you're going to buy tippex (many schools have banned it) get a mouse rather than the wet stuff
a small usb stick (just a few gb should suffice). Better still, get one he can attach to his keys.
a nice case to keep it all in.

If he has these, he'll be ready for anything on his first day and for the weeks that follow.


I wouldn't buy them now, but I would also keep some cash aside for

* plastic wrap, polyclip files or book covers to protect his books (some schools insist. Covering books is one of the first homeworks we usually set).
* a specific scientific calculator (they will want each child to have the exact same one to make it easier to teach them how to use if properly).
* a sketch pad and art folder for art.


I LOVE shopping for back to school stationery, even now Hope he enjoys 'big school'



EDITED TO ADD... if your child is pestering you for flourescent or scented pens/pencils, don't waste your cash. We don't allow them and I know many schools do the same.

Another handy thing to have is a drywipe marker. Our homework diaries have mini whiteboards in the back of them for whole-class activities.

gingin_2

Thanks everyone, just the sort of advice I was hoping for. I am going to print this out and take it with me

He is so laid back about going but it's me that is having sleepless nights. There just seems to be so much for him to organise and remember.

Sammy85_2

pavlovs_dog wrote: »

* plastic wrap, polyclip files or book covers to protect his books (some schools insist. Covering books is one of the first homeworks we usually set).

We used to cover our books in wrapping paper. It became a bit of a competition over who had the brightest covered books!

dizziblonde

pavlovs_dog wrote: »

Another handy thing to have is a drywipe marker. Our homework diaries have mini whiteboards in the back of them for whole-class activities.

I WANT!!!!!

Possibly worth getting a pencil-pencil case and a separate case for coloured pencils/felt tips that he won't need regularly and has the potential to just become more crap and paraphenallia on his desk. Maths set of whatever persuasion (not for the use I put mine too at school spending many happy hours picking all the brown stripes out of my school tie with the point of a compass)... scientific calculator (the school's maths department may well sell their preferred type or have strong recommendations), highlighters - but I know I bought a pack of minis from Asda for a quid that had loads of colours and didn't take up much space recently - bougtht them actually for the kids to use really instead of trashing mine!

gratefulforhelp_2

Pavlov's has covered it, but another secondary teacher here...

must-haves - pen (blue or black) and spares, pencil, small ruler, rubber.

usefuls - set of colouring pencils, cheapie calculator, pen drive.

sometimes usefuls - protractor, pair of compasses, later on a scientific calculator.

What about some tissues for the schoolbag and a tiny bottle of alcohol hand wash? Sorry, off message a bit.

eta we always provide glue and scissors, but useful if he doesn't want to share.

I would divide your stock of goodies into at least two batches and keep some back for when the first lot inevitably gets lost.

dizziblonde

Of course any rumours that the average teacher never quite moved on from being a stationery obsessed teen who'd buy out the entire branch of Staples given half the chance are vicious lies.... not that I need a small fork lift truck to lift my pencil case... oh no not me.

Usual rule applies - name anything you can, name anything that's not nailed down, if it's nailed down - name label the nails.