We recently received an email from a student anxious to know what supplies she would need for middle school. Usually the teachers share their lists on the first day of school. However, I thought that it was wonderful this soon-to-be-sixth grader was so highly motivated and realized that busy parents might like to know, too.
(Please note: this is a rough guide and is will vary according to each teacher)
We contacted a few of the GT teachers, who were kind enough to pass along the following information:
7th graders may need these items for Humanities:
3 notebooks - not the little ones but with plenty of pages or a three subject notebook
4 folders - pocket kind / loose leaf paper
2 black pens, highlighter, binder, if the student wishes to use one
book covers, but brown bags are fine
Classroom supplies for GT Math & Science
---if you have received a letter that your child will be in sixth grade Gifted Math and Science.
Please bring the following items to class daily (unless told otherwise):
2 spiral notebooks (1 for each subject) 70 sheet kind, but stock
up - you'll go through a few
one 3-ringed binder (about 1 inch), with 1 divider for handouts
2 pens (science)
2 pencils (math)
1 highlighter
The following items will not be needed until later in the year:
1 small plastic protractor
1 basic calculator
1 package of lined 3 by 5 index cards
1 package of reinforcements (use as needed)
Whether your child is in middle school or high school, you may wish to consider the following list of items, which is based on the personal experiences of parent and teachers. If you keep them in your house, you'll save yourself a lot of aggravation. Even if your child is better organized than ours, unexpected can problems arise--- usually when the stores are closed.:)
extra ink cartridges for your computer's printer
book covers (With block scheduling, high school students will begin different classes in January. Trying to find covers for those new books at that time may be a challenge.)
white and colored poster board for projects (available at dollar stores--usually 2 or 3 sheets for $1)
glue stick and/or rubber cement
pens and "Whiteout"
pencils, erasers, and a pencil sharpener
construction paper (various colors)
loose leaf notebook paper
3x5" lined index cards
stapler & staples and/or paper clips
colored pencils
phone numbers of responsible classmates
extra calculator batteries
a public library card and the public library's website--- www.buckslib.org will tell you the hours of various branches and allow your child to use the card catalogue to determine what materials are available. It also contains on-line resources (which you can learn more about at our Nov. 7th BADGE meeting).
this phone #----215-750-2800. If you have questions or concerns, don't be afraid to contact your child's teachers, guidance counselor, school nurse, or principal.
a sense of humor--- Remember adolescence is a challenging time for most children and their parents. Being gifted certainly doesn't mean being perfect. A sense of humor will help make the bumps in the road a little easier to handle.
phone #s of other parents of gifted children and dates of BADGE meetings--- Talking to others who truly understand is a great help. In fact, if you can suggest any items that should be added to this list, let me know and I'll pass them along.