The school supplies list doesn’t just include backpacks, pencils, lunch bags, books, and notebooks - these are just the basics. As a child moves to an advanced grade, supply lists vary. For example, in kindergarten, the list includes supplies for art, such as crayons and drawing books, but academic books and notebooks replace them when a child moves to elementary school. They need laptops, smartphones, and other gadgets in high school and college.
Other than the staple items, when in higher grades, your child will carry laptops and smartphones to make and store notes, attend online classes, and interact with their friends. They probably won’t have access to a power outlet every time, so a reliable solar generator is important. And Jackery Solar Generators are one of the best out there due to the reliability, efficiency, portability, and safety they deliver.
Key Takeaways
- School supplies are the items students need in school throughout an academic year. Without these, students might feel unequipped, overwhelmed, and lose confidence.
- A school supplies list should contain items for a child in every grade, i.e., kindergarten, elementary grade 1-3, elementary grade 4-5, middle school, high school, and college school.
- When choosing school supplies, you must consider whether the school provides a supplies list, inventory the items you already have, create a list and budget, and invest in quality items.
- On average, back-to-school supplies cost around $890-900 per child. But you can stick to the list, shop sales, use coupons and discounts, etc., to save some money.
Why Does School Supplies List Matter
School supplies are the items students use in school. In other words, they are the commodities a child needs throughout the academic year.
For example, in the first few years, i.e., in kindergarten, the supplies include creative things like art. These include glue, paints, craft paper, play dough, safety scissors, cratons, chart paper, etc. Other than that, they need notebooks and pencils to take notes. When they grow, the supplies include more study items than art, i.e., notebooks, pencils, pens, etc.
School supplies include everything students need to start learning on the first day of school. Without proper supplies, students may feel unequipped and overwhelmed, which can impact their motivation and confidence. They also might feel ashamed or like they don’t belong, which can force them to withdraw, lose focus, and not participate in class. Over time, this compounded and led to students not achieving their learning goals.
Back-to-School Supplies List
Sorting everything on the last night before school might lead to missing some of the important stuff your child needs at school. It’s crucial to list the required supplies and preemptively act on them. With the first day of school approaching, consult the following back-to-school supplies list for various grades: kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school, and college.
Kindergarten School Supplies
Though every school has a separate curriculum, a few things are common in every kindergarten’s supply list. The teachers typically provide these on the school’s website or via email. And ensure that the teacher communicates with you in this respect.
Remember that kindergarten represents the “formative years” of your child’s education. So, their supplies cover a range of learning modalities and are aligned with your child’s learning curriculum. These will help support the student’s learning and overall experience in a new environment on their first day of school.
Elementary Grade 1-3 School Supplies
Kindergarten supplies help children improve their social abilities and become confident learners in a safe and supported environment. On the other hand, through grades 1-3, children are expected to develop competence in areas like mathematics, language and literacy, science and technology, and social studies. So, most creative supplies in kindergarten are replaced by ruled notebooks or pads, plastic folders, pens, markers, etc.
Elementary Grade 4-5 School Supplies
The real work begins as the child moves into their upper elementary years. The supplies must help them take notes, complete assignments, and engage in classroom activities across writing, math, and art subjects. The aim is to support them through their bigger academic projects, do well in harder tests, and excel at the end of the year.
Middle School Supplies (Grade 6-8)
Moving to middle school from elementary school is a big upgrade! Students might need different supplies for their subjects this time, and with dedicated tools like pens, notebooks, and folders, they can systematically arrange their study materials. It allows for better comprehension and easy retrieval of the subject matter.
Middle school students, however, aren’t versed in keeping everything organized, so include durable supplies that last even after being crammed into the bottom of backpacks or desk drawers.
High School Supplies
As children move to advanced studies in high school, they need proper supplies to participate effectively in their classes and complete assignments. At this stage, most schools encourage digital education, so in addition to pens, pencils, and notebooks, they need to carry laptops and smartphones.
They might not always have access to a power outlet, so your high school supplies list can include a battery backup solution like Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus or a basic Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station. With these, you’re sure to stay connected for hours.
College School Supplies
When they get to college, they need more than they can fit in a backpack. Other than the basic supplies they need in class to study and complete assignments, if they’re boarding, they must bring everything they need to live independently. This includes the necessary supplies to cook, clean, and do laundry. Also, they can carry entertainment systems like Bluetooth speakers, laptops, smartphones, and others for occasional parties with friends.
Not every time they have access to a power source, they can invest in Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus. It can power laptops, smartphones, and most basic and advanced electrical appliances one needs for college studies for hours.
Jackery for Students
Students, especially in colleges, have multiple electrical appliances and might face issues like access to continuous power supplies. A reliable portable power station or a generator lets them power the appliances for hours without needing a power outlet.
Jackery is a leading manufacturer of solar generators, portable power stations, and foldable solar panels. Jackery Solar Generators combine Jackery Portable Power Stations and Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels to emerge as portable and reliable charging solutions for indoors and outdoors.
It uses free solar energy to generate usable electricity so that students can power their appliances with clean energy and lower emissions. That’s not it. Jackery offers students a 15% flat discount on all of its products. Just create an ID.ME account and follow the prompts to avail yourself of the discount.
Here are some popular Jackery Solar Generators and a Portable power station for the students:
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus
The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus is a mid-sized battery backup solution that can power most small and heavy-duty appliances, including microwaves, freezers, air conditioners, and induction stoves. It’s a perfect fit for college students who don’t always have access to a power outlet, especially when they’re backyard camping or for outdoor education, where they need to power multiple tools. The portable generator with a foldable handle lets you carry it anywhere and power the appliances.
Appliances Running Time
- Portable Refrigerator (60W): 17.9H
- Projector (100W): 10.7H
- Electric Cooker (900W): 1.2H
- Smartphone (20W): 53.7H
- Laptop (70W): 15.4H
- LED Lighting Lamp (5W): 215H
Customer Review: “We've had the unit for a while now and absolutely love how rugged it is. The solar panels work great, and the peace of mind of knowing we have a battery backup for all our devices and some appliances is awesome.”- John Brogan.
Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus
If you’re looking for a comparatively lightweight and portable solar generator that fits into your backpack, Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus is a great pick. It produces little to no noise, which makes it ideal for long study hours. Besides, it’s capable of powering most of your indoor and outdoor appliances, such as a laptop, smartphone, or others, simultaneously and offers plenty of outdoor charging options. Whether researching outdoors or studying indoors during a power outage, it can be your reliable companion.
Appliances Running Time
- Smartphone (20W): 12.2H
- Laptop (70W): 3.5H
- Drone (90W): 2.7H
- LED Lighting Lamp (5W): 49.0H
- Smart Speaker (10W): 24.5H
Customer Review: “I got the 300 plus with the 40w panel, and it’s perfect for camping. I’m going to get 2 of the 100 las for when I go backpacking as this one would be a little big to carry for a 4-8 hour hike”- Joseph Camerer.
Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station
For high school or college students who need a compact and reliable charging solution to power their small appliances during their long business flights for studying purposes, Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station is a great pick. It lets you work efficiently, stay connected, and keep your gadgets, like tablets, mobile phones, smartphones, laptops, game controllers, etc., charged throughout the flight. And its three ports let you charge three appliances simultaneously.
Appliances Running Time
- MacBook Air (65W): 1.3H
- Smartphone (20W): 4.2H
- Apple Watch (2W): 42.16H
- Gaming Console (15W): 5.6H
- Laptop (70W): 1.2H
Customer Review: “So far, I'm in love with it! I can charge my earbuds, phone, lights, tablet, portable wifi, and any other small devices I have. It fits perfectly on my shelf. Way to go, Jackery!”- Jp Missy Horsley.
What to Consider When Choosing School Supplies
Shopping for your kids’ school supplies shouldn’t be hard work. Selecting the most practical items and stocking them up will help your kid to survive the end of your school time. Here’s where to start:
Check if the School Provides any Supplies List
Every school provides a supplies list, so inspect them to identify whether it’s compulsory or suggested. Many schools require you to purchase books, notebooks, and other stationary items the school provides, while some let you purchase on your own. You may wish to compare the cost of items in school or outside and make an informed decision.
Check the Items You Have at Home
Before making a list or heading to shops for the supplies, check the ones you already have. For example, if the pen, pencil, or other stationary are still good to go or are unusable. Also, check if the shoes and school uniforms fit your child and get through another term. Second-hand school uniforms are also available on social media for purchase, so you can get one from there without buying a new one.
Make a List
Buying school supplies can be an exciting time, but it often results in the tendency to overbuy and buy things that your child might not even need. Or you might forget one or two important supplies. So, list the items, stick to them, and buy what’s needed.
Have a Budget
Once you have made a list of the required items, research and make a budget. This way, you can avoid overdoing it while shopping and get items that fit your finances. Budgeting also helps ensure you get all the items on your checklist.
Buy Quality Items
There’s no point in shelling out cash on school supplies that breaks down after a few uses. Backpacks and lunch boxes are common offenders, so before you pick one, ensure it can withstand repeated use and washes. For example, a premium backpack might cost a bit high upfront but pays dividends for years. Other than backpacks and lunch boxes, it includes notebooks, water bottles, art supplies, notebooks, and school techs like laptops and headphones.
Include the Extras
Going off-list for other essentials during your back-to-school shopping trip can save time and effort in the long run. For example, you can stock supplies for your child’s last-minute school projects in science, art, or other subjects. Supplies like tri-fold project boards, poster boards, markers, glue, and construction paper can be used in any general project.
Also, ask your child to keep track of the upcoming projects with a planner or calendar to avoid those last-minute scrambles.
How Much Does It Cost for School Supplies
On average, families spend about $890 per child on back-to-school supplies. This figure includes everything from basic supplies to clothing to class-specific items. But often, parents have said to exceed their set budget when they go on to shop. For this to not happen, follow the tips:
Stick to Your List: Before cashing out for the supplies, list the items your child needs and remove the ones you already have at home. An easy way to avoid impulse purchases is to order online for either delivery or pick up. You won’t be wandering the aisles, which means no temptation!
Shop Sales: Most retailers advertise back-to-school sales before the schools begin. Check and compare the retailers' prices to get the best deals and save some budget.
Price Match: Price matching is a new norm amongst retailers where stores match their competitors' prices for the same product. You can utilize it to your advantage by lowering the prices of certain items and getting everything at comparatively lower prices.
Use Coupons and Discounts: Coupons might sound like a thing of the past, but realistically, they have changed platforms. These are now available online on various websites, but a few still come with your Sunday newspaper. If you don’t have access to these, exploit the seasonal sales many retailers offer to save an amount.
Reuse What You Can: If you have a few usable notebooks, pencils, or other stationeries sitting at your house, it’s smart to use them in the new session. Sharpen the pencils, polish the shoes, and add up the savings.
School Supplies List FAQs
What size solar generator do I need for my school activity?
The size of the solar generator you need for your school activity depends on the type of appliances and how long you’re powering them. For example, you’re powering a portable refrigerator (60W), projector (100W), and a laptop (70W) on Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus.
So, Working Time = Capacity of Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus in Wh × 0.85 / Operating wattage of the appliances.
Working Time= 1264.64Wh × 0.85/ 230W = 4.7H
Note: There is some power loss while charging the devices. Hence, we have multiplied the overall battery capacity by 0.85.
What to buy for grade 7?
The list of supplies for grade 7 includes pens, pencils, notebooks, folders, stationary, tissues, and other school-specific items.
What is the average spend on school supplies?
In 2023, the average spend on back-to-school supplies in the United States was around $890, slightly dipping to $850 in 2024.
What is the most needed school supply?
Backpacks, pencils, and lunch boxes are the most needed school supplies.
What supplies do teachers need most?
Teachers need the most supplies, such as pens, paper, sticky notes, dry-erase markers, individual whiteboards, antibacterial wipes, tissues, and hand sanitizers.
Final Thoughts
School supplies list are important to prepare to ensure you don’t miss any vital item for your child. Having a list also allows parents to plan and budget, buy needed things, and avoid unexpected expenses. Alongside the staples, you must include a battery backup solution in a supply list, especially if the child is in high school. Jackery Solar Generators are among the best that can power most of your electrical appliances for hours. Besides, they are reliable, efficient, safe, noise and smoke-free.
Let us know in the comments below what items we missed in this guide. Also, share with us the type of electrical appliances your child needs regularly so we can suggest the best generator available.
Leave a comment