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Moms are always busy and therefore having a back to school checklist is one way of keeping organized (and sane) when trying to get the right back to school supplies for your kids. The following are back to school supplies list for the different stages of school. These lists are by no means definitive but should serve a guides for the main school supplies your child would likely need at any stage.
Ideally, you should have a list of supplies via a letter from  school. If not, you can always phone the school and get an updated school  supplies list or check the school website:

School Uniform Checklist:

• check school uniform and shoes/sneakers still fit

• buy school uniform and gym kit if needed

• buy school shoes if needed

• buy school backpack for daily use

Preschool Supplies List:

• Lunch box (or bag) with name label

• Plastic drink container with name label

• Freezer packs for lunch boxes/bags

• Apron or art smock

• Change of clothes in case of toilet accidents or spillage

• Healthy packaged snacks

Elementary School Supplies List:

• Apron or art smock

• Lunch box

• Drinks container

• Packaged snacks

• Freezer packs for lunch boxes

• Files/folders

• Pens/Pencils

• School backpack that can hold a lunch box, files/folders  and pens/pencils supplies

• Crayons

• Washable markers

• Glue stick(s)

• Eraser

• Pencil sharpener

Middle School Supplies List:

• School backpack/ book bag

• Binders for each subject

• Binder dividers

• Folders for each subject (for handouts)

• Highlighters

• Pencils

• Pens

• Markers

• Ruler

• Compass

• Spiral notebook

• Mini stapler

• Protractor

• Loose leaf paper

• Dictionary

• Thesaurus

• Planner/Organizerto keep track of homework assignments

• USB or Zip drive to save work done on home and school  computers

High School Supplies Checklist:

• School backpack/ book bag

• Binders for each subject

• Binder dividers

• Folders for each subject (for handouts)

• Highlighters

• Pencils

• Pens

• Markers

• Ruler

• Compass

• Spiral notebook

• Mini stapler

• Protractor

• Dictionary

• Thesaurus

• Loose leaf paper

• Planner/ Organizer to keep track of homework assignments

• Calculator

• USB or Zip drive to save work done on home and school  computers

Ah, it’s that time of the year again. You know the one when they begin flooding the TV airwaves with “Back to School” ads. Yes indeed, all the kids love it! Okay, that’s a stretch to say the least. However, I’m sure some children out there somewhere get stoked and excited about returning to school for a brand new year of reading, writing, and arithmetic. Are you one of them? Anyway, back to school at my house basically translates as 2nd grade.

This is why I need to get my seven year old daughter caught up with 2nd grade spelling words. Why would I get her into these you may ask? Because it’s great to get a head start on these things before school actually begins. You can get your child sent to the head of the class if you take the initiative to teach them a little at home.

Got any decent 2nd grade spelling words written down to quiz your child? This is an exercise my husband and I like to do with our daughter. We did it last year before she entered the first grade, and we are doing it this year before she enters the second.

The only difference is that now we’re using 2nd grade spelling words. Things are a tad more difficult and complex. This is completely fine because she has already learned so much in the first grade. How can we drill her with legitimate, up-to-date 2nd grade spelling words you might ask? That’s an easy one, especially if you have a home computer.
Look for “2nd grade spelling words.” online and you’ll get lists up lists of resources and useful websites giving you 2nd grade words.

Make a list or print it out. Then you can proceed in drilling your child with 2nd grade spelling words. Teach them how to pronounce them correctly, but also their meanings and spellings. In no time at all your child will be set and anxious for the new school year.  He/she will be ahead of schedule.

Are you still quizzing your child with terms they already know? Don’t waste your time.  If they’re heading into 2nd grade this year, then you need 2nd grade spelling words.

Work with them regularly and help them get a good head start. Bright minds certainly lead to bright futures.

Click here to Browse the full range of children’s dictionaries

Browse the range of back to school supplies here

It is that special time of year again. A time of new beginnings as we close another summer chapter and start a brand new school year. Summer can be a magical time for children. It is a time for many to relax schedules, play, soak in some sunshine, grow, and most importantly… rest. The fall is an exciting time filled with anticipation for a healthy and productive school year. It can also present many challenges for families as they attempt to adjust to a more demanding schedule and meet the needs of everyone in the household.

Here are some ideas:

Talk to your child. This helps them to process their feelings about what they have experienced and what they are looking forward to in their world.
-Remember all of the fun activities from summer. Often times, talking about recent experiences helps them to look forward to and transition into new ones (encourages an understanding of time and change).
-What is your favorite thing about school? Why?
-Who are your friends? What do you like to do at recess?
-What do you think of your class this year? Classroom? Teacher?
-Do a timeline of his/her day. What did you do before lunch? After lunch? After school?

Prepare physically for the demands of school.
-Set a good daily routine. Help your child develop an awareness of schedules and why they are important. This helps children transition to new tasks and provides structure and security in their world.
-Set a bedtime routine and stick to it. Kids thrive when they are well rested. They are better able to attend and focus in class, stay healthier, and are generally happier during the day. (9-12 hours of sleep a night is optimal for growing children).
-Provide healthy snacks and meals and try to have a set mealtime for the family.
-Include appropriate grooming (bathing, oral hygiene, washing hands) habits in your routine as well.

Back to SCHOOL. An applied learning activity helps children to recall what they already know and build upon it. It also fosters a sense of achievement and confidence when learning new things. Help your child see him/her self as a learner.
-Try to read every day with your child. Take turns reading a favorite book. Ask him/her questions about what is being read. Look at pictures and talk about what is happening in the picture (try to guess what will happen next).
-Talk about the weather (science and nature). What will the weather be like today? In a month? In two months? What will be happening outside? Fall is a very exciting time to explore and learn about the changing seasons.
-When you are in your neighborhood, talk about signs you see, identify familiar things such as objects, street signs, and neighbors. When walking or driving home, let your child direct you.. “Which way do we turn next?”
-While at the grocery store, read the signs on the rows, read labels, read everything! Talk about grouping and why products are where they are and not somewhere else in the store. This helps children to build an awareness of order and ultimately supports problem solving in different situations.
-Go on everyday math and science adventures! Talk about numbers and use different objects around the house to count, add, multiply and divide. Ask questions like: How many more will make 10? If I eat 5 how many will be left? When cutting a pie, talk about fractions and percentages. When cooking, read and follow recipe directions, talk about measurement, and the science of cooking and baking. What makes things freeze? What is a solid? What is a liquid?
-Build a calendar with your child! Kids LOVE visual stimuli and it will also help you to keep track of special events and activities. Pull out the school year calendar and write in all of the half days, holidays, and special events. You can even include what lunch is served at school each day. Use your imagination and have fun with the activity! It helps with counting, days of the week, and months of the year. They will take pride in marking off days of the week and have a way to look forward to special occasions. It also helps them to process what has happened in their world and prepare for what is next.

Meet the needs of your entire family. Your children are not the only ones who are experiencing a life change. A new school year can bring about added stress with changes in schedules and demands that your whole family must adjust to.
-Plan an activity for the entire family to look forward to on an evening or weekend. The fun does not have to be over just because summer has come to an end.
-Make sure you know the schedules of other family members. Everyone seems to have lots things to do. Add these activities to your calendar.
-Set a time (and place) for your family to be together each day (ex. mealtime) so you can connect with each other about things that are important.
-Everyone get your rest and do your best to make healthy choices.

Many warm wishes for a healthy and productive September and school year!

Tracy Webb-olson

http://www.articlesbase.com/time-management-articles/surviving-september-tips-to-help-your-child-and-family-get-back-to-school-55972.html

The Scotch(TM) Thermal Laminator is ideal for people who want  to have an “at home” solution to laminating important  papers, photos and documents. If you want to preserve your  pictures and cards without having to go to the office, now  you can do it at home. This product can laminate items up  to 9 inches wide and 5 millimeters thick. The best thing is  that the entire laminator is very lightweight, portable,  and easy to carry around. There’s no need to revamp the  layout of your desk because this laminator only takes up  nine inches of desk space. This is very convenient for  people who have limited space in their home offices.

What’s awesome about the Scotch Thermal Laminator is that  it’s fun and easy to use. You can literally perform  laminating tasks anytime and anywhere with this. You can  use it to laminate charts for your kids, flashcards, or  visual aids. You can even use it to preserve old family  pictures. This laminator presents no heat to the user, and  no odor, which makes it convenient and safe to use even if  your kids are around.

Satisfied customers love the Scotch Thermal Laminator and it got 4 stars out of 5 in Amazon customer reviews

Do you frequently cut out newspaper clippings to collect  articles which interest you? Now you can do it without  making a mess out of your room. The Scotch Thermal  Laminator makes it easy for you to laminate newspaper  clippings, medical cards, and even bedroom signs. Again,  what users primarily love about this laminator is that it  doesn’t take too much space in your room. There’s no need  to use bulky machines when you have this unique laminator.

Another cool thing about the Scotch Thermal Laminator is  the indicator light. This indicator light lets the user  know that the machine is hot enough. It only takes  approximately 10 minutes for the machine to be ready, and  after that you are ready to go. The only noticeable  downside of this product is that it tends to jam if you  place your document or photo in the wrong position. But  even if you experience a jam, you can simply push the  release button to pull out your document and free up the  entanglement. And there’s no need to guess how to use this  laminator. The product goes along with step-by-step  illustrated instructions on how to feed your document into  the machine.

All in all, this item is ideal to use for home purposes and  for smaller type of documents. Its ease of use, affordable  price, portability, lighter weight, and convenient size are  all plus factors for the consumer. It’s definitely worth  your investment.

Find out more about the Scotch Thermal Laminator from Amazon.com.

The Jasmine Book Stand is an ideal item for your home if you’re a book lover, a musician, or simply a fan of cool house design. Now you have a convenient place to put your books in (especially those you’re actively reading), so you can find them easily whenever you need them. If you want to do your studying or research in your living room or bedroom, you can use the Jasmine Book Stand.

Its sturdy frame and large size allows you to contain heavier books, and there’s practically no problem because this book stand can withstand a great amount of bulk. If you love to cook, you can take this book stand in your kitchen anytime to place your cookbooks on. Or, if you play the piano, you can use the Jasmine as a place to put your musical pieces.

This product scored remarkably high in Amazon’s customer ratings system, scoring 4.8 out of 5. You can find out more about the Jasmine Book Stand from Amazon.com.

What’s great about the Jasmine Book stand is that it provides maximum reading comfort. It allows for eye level reading, unlike other book stands that require you to look down (or look up) just to read. It also has a two-way adjustment capability. This means, you can freely adjust both the height and the degree of the frame. The two way adjustment feature is awesome because it allows you to use the book stand whether you are sitting down, standing up, or any position suitable for your particular purpose.

Why Would You Need A Book Stand?

It seems a little outmoded doesn’t it, to be using a bookstand in this day and age, especially since we seem to be devouring lots of content online and reading from our iPads.  However, there are still a vast majority of people who love reading books.  Not only that, but book stands are an ideal and much needed support for when you are following something from a book but need your hands to carry out the task, such as:

• Following a cookery recipe
• Making something by following a quilting book/woodwork book/programming book/sewing book etc
• Having a snack whilst reading your favorite book!

Click here to read why this user thought the Jasmine Book Stand was one of this top 5 purchases of the year.

Users of the Jasmine Book Stand love it because it is sturdy but is actually made of lightweight material. You don’t need to exert additional muscle effort just to carry this book stand around the house. If you use this for personal study purposes, you will be able to highlight books without having to worry that the stand might shake or tumble. Using this item outdoors presents no problems either.  Even with an outdoor breeze, the Jasmine can stand upright and firm, while the page holders prevent the book to scatter in different directions.

This product is made with a lot of thought and careful consideration.  The cliips that hold the pages down are coated in rubber and won’t damage your book pages.

Also, book stands are ideal for many reasons:

• By having a book stand at eye level you reduceee the strain on your neck and can enjoy reading in comfort

• Reading with the use of a book stand makes for better posture and good spinal health

• The Jasmine Book Stand is a large size which also means it gives better hold and stability

• Sturdy frame means it can cope with the heaviest of books without any problem

• Patented 2-way adjustment (height and degree)

All in all, the Jasmine Book stand helps you relieve stress from your eyes, neck, and back. The ergonomic features of this stand allow you to become more comfortable while you study, cook, or play the piano. The capacity to set the stand in different positions allows you to use it for various purposes. This actually makes your life easier. Instead of hurting your neck trying to read a book while lying down on your bed, use the Jasmine Book Stand. It is definitely a good buy and it has a very reasonable price as well.

This is a large bookstand and might not be for everyone as it can take up a lot of desk space.
Also, this book stand is not portable as it is quite big.

If you are looking for a smaller book stand you may want to look at the Clover Book Stand.

Other than that, if you are looking to do a lot of reading comfortably and have the space for it, the Jasmine Bookstand might be just the thing you need.

You can find out more about the Jasmine Book Stand from Amazon.com

Click here to browse the full range of Jansport Bags

Jansport Book bags are a popular choice for students because Jansport creates useful, functional and yet still trendy bags to carry all your heavy books.

There are many types and styles of bookbags available – so whether you are a girly girl or a super cool guy, there are colors and patterns that will appeal to both. The bags themselves are very roomy inside, well constructed, durable and capable of carrying heavy loads whilst being easy on your shoulder. The bags are easy to look after and keep clean as they can be washed in a washing machine and then hung out to dry.

Jansport think of everything with the average teenager at school or college and provide lots of zipper pockets (depending on the style of bag you pick) which can hold items such as CD players and purse. Very handy.

We all want our children to get the best education possible, especially in those early, formative years. Yet we have to admit, in most cases, that the public school system has become inadequate at best, and just isn’t teaching our kids the basic skills they’ll need to survive in the real-world job market.

Private schools can offer a better option, but the cost may be greater than the average family can afford, especially if there is more than one child. And the parent usually has little control over the curriculum or the peer group the child will fall in with.

Many people are looking into the option of home schooling. They are asking “Is home schooling for me?” This is an important question. And there are several related questions you should answer before diving in. Answering these questions should give you a better understanding of what home schooling is all about.

First, why would I want to home school?

Most homeschoolers believe the public schools are not doing an adequate job of educating. Slow learners are falling further and further behind while gifted students are not adequately challenged. At home slower learners can get the one-on-one attention they need. And gifted students can move ahead at their own pace and even finish early.

In a home school setting the parents can adjust the schedule to fit the child. I have two children I’m currently homeschooling. The older one is a quick learner with a photographic memory. He doesn’t need much repetition of facts in order to remember them. My second child is just the opposite. He needs hours and hours of repetition. Isn’t it amazing how different two blood brothers can be?

Parents can also adjust the curriculum to fit the child. I had no trouble teaching my older boy to read. So I used the same curriculum with boy number two. It didn’t work. Hmmm, OK. So I switched curriculums. Now my second son is doing much better, and not nearly as frustrated with learning. And Mom didn’t have to get frustrated, either. Parents and students can be flexible when they teach and learn at home.

What are some more reasons?

Many parents are choosing to homeschool for safety reasons. Let’s face it, schools simply are not safe. Sadly, many students in public schools are faced with criminal situations every day. At the very least they probably have to put up with bullies. And when was the last time you heard of any POSITIVE effects from peer pressure? It’s easy to see that this type of environment is usually very stressful and distracts from the real purpose of being at school, namely learning.

Another reason many people home school, is because they are fed up with public schools teaching evolution, sex and other hot button subjects. Homeschoolers generally view these subjects as topics that should be taught at home, not at school.

They feel that when the schools teach these subjects the schools are usurping their parental authority. By choosing to homeschool, parents can take back their God-given authority/responsibility to raise their
children with a Biblical worldview.

Whatever your reason for homeschooling make sure you define it. Knowing why you are doing something will help you to stay focused when things get rough.

How can I be sure I’m teaching my child the things he/she needs to know?

Once you have decided to homeschool, you should contact your local school board and ask them what the requirements are. Some schools require that you register your child, some do not. Some schools will allow you to use their curriculum (if you want to). Virtually every school is different. And every state has different requirements.

Many local libraries also have information on what needs to be taught at different grade levels. Of course, there have been many books written on the subject as well. And let’s not forget the web. Doing a search on home schooling will turn up loads of information.

Where can I find curriculum to use?

There are so many publishers of educational materials out there that the question becomes “How do I know which to use?”

But let’s answer the first question first.

You can find curriculum at your local library, at homeschooler’s book sales, book stores, used book stores, on-line retailers, on-line used curriculum sites, and direct from the publishers.

How do you decide which to use? That depends on you, your child and your goals. For example, if your child has learning problems, you would buy curriculum designed for children with learning problems. If you want to teach Biblical values you would purchase from a Christian publisher.

First, evaluate your child’s situation, decide what your goals will be, and choose the area of study upon which you wish to concentrate. Then go to the stores, libraries or publishers, or spend some time online, and make your selections based on these criteria.

Finally, do I have time to home school?

Ah yes, the big “T” question. There never seems to be enough time with our busy schedules these days. Obviously, if you’re not going to be home for at least six waking hours (your child’s, not yours), then it’s going to be very difficult to provide a quality education.

Ideally, there should be a stay-at-home parent to do the teaching, but even if you have to work the standard 8-hour day, it’s still possible by adjusting and pairing your schedules. It’s all a matter of priorities. We’ll always find the time to do the things we consider most important.

Take the plunge.

Once you have your student(s) and curriculum in front of you the fun can start. Did I say fun? Forgive me, I’m not trying to be sarcastic. Oftentimes it may seem more like work, but you can make it fun with the right attitude. Think of it as a new, life-changing adventure that you and your child will be taking together.

Many home schoolers are even incorporating educational games and toys into their curriculum. Games can make learning easier and a lot more interesting. Just one more reason to make the bold move away from the public school system and over to the home school system.

Lisa Lee

http://www.articlesbase.com/homeschooling-articles/should-i-home-school-140856.html

The following is an informative article that will help many parents who are trying to minimize the costs of
Back to School Supplies

Back-to-school expenses can be overwhelming. Here are six simple ways to save money while giving your children what they need to hit the books this year.

1. Take a specific list for school supplies to the discount store or office supplies store. Watch the Sunday circulars and plan to find all of these essential school supplies in a single trip, while they are on sale. Make sure to stick to the official supplies list provided by the school. Then shop online (or comparison shop offline) for other items you might need, such as clothes and shoes.

2. Do not spend too much on back-to-school clothes before school begins. Every child looks forward to having something new for the first day of school. That does not mean each child needs an entirely new wardrobe. With many schools starting in August, the weather is too hot for the fall and winter clothes that they will need for the duration of the school year. And if you shop too far in advance, your child could actually outgrow an outfit before it is time to wear it. Purchase one new outfit (or new single clothing item) for that first day to heighten the excitement, and save the rest of the wardrobe budget for a few months from now. If your budget does not allow for a new clothing item for each child, treat your kids to something smaller, but still exciting: a new pencil bag or a new package of pencils printed with their name, for example.

3. Establish a clothing budget for each child. This allows your child to be in control of their wardrobe (under your guidelines, of course), and it requires them to make wise spending decisions. Help your child to comparison shop once they decide what they like. You can find lots of coupons online this time of year for apparel and shoes.

4. Shop the sales, offline as well as online. Many of the big online retailers, such as Overstock and Smartbargains, as well as Target and Walmart, feature savings this time of year on back-to-school items small appliances, even notebook computers and those specialized calculators that your older children may need.

5. Let your child give their old stuff a new look. With a few paper bags, sheets of construction paper, glitter, pens, glue, and stickers, they can make fun, personalized folders, supply tins, lunchboxes, notebooks, and book covers.

6. Plan a simple reward for the first day. Treat your elementary school student to a special surprise at the end of the first day (or at the end of the first week for middle school and high school students.) Take your children out for pizza or an ice cream cone and ask them to tell you all about their classes, their new friends, and what they think they are going to enjoy most about the year to come. They will cherish this simple tradition, and so will you.

Jamie Jefferson

http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/back-to-school-savings-six-ways-to-save-money-during-backtoschool-time-51895.html

Home schooling is an alternative to the traditional, classroom-based teaching. Today, home schooling is becoming more common, as more parents and guardians choose to teach their children at home. There are estimated to be nearly 1,000,000 students learning at home currently. Many parents believe that teaching the child at home provides the child with a more detailed education, more than that provided by traditional schools, public or private. The principle benefit of home schooling for these parents is the convenience of customizing the education to the specific need of the child and to suit his aptitude. Every parent, while home schooling the child, is able to choose the method of instruction, most appropriate. The choice of home schooling your child is not an easy decision. There are many considerations to be kept in mind. Given below are some of the things you should find out and prepare for, before starting.

Legality

It is legal to home school a child in the U.S, as well as many other countries. Each state in the US has different laws regarding home schooling. These can be simple guidelines or formal and stricter legal requirements. Each state also has it own home schooling requirements, with regards to the curriculum and adopted standards. The parent needs to ensure that he is qualified to teach the child at home. The parents need to be aware of the specific state requirements. Any local, regional or state home education organization is equipped to provide basic information about the prevalent laws.

Finding Support

For a parent considering home schooling for the first time, a support group can be of immense help. Although it is not a legal requirement to join a support group, it definitely helps to get in touch with other parents who are home schooling in your area. Some home education departments also provide a list of support groups within the local area. Volunteers run the support groups and usually comprise of other parents who are also home schooling their children. Their support enables you to get the encouragement and information required, from experienced people. Some of these home schooling support groups also conduct regular educational field trips and activities. There are private groups that can be extremely helpful too. Their services range from providing books and other resources to the material for testing, as well as distance education programs. These groups not only sell you the supplies and services needed, but also provide helpful information and referrals.

Preparing the Home Environment, schedule, and curriculum:

Some physical rearrangement will probably be needed in the home, to create an area for the schoolwork. You will also need to buy all the study material, stationary and required boards. You will have to create a study schedule for regular lessons and mark time for games. It is also advisable to maintain a book keeping system. This helps to keep track of the tasks assigned and completed. This is also a legal requirement in some states. Finally, and most importantly, you need to select the appropriate method. This choice must be based on the childs aptitude and learning ability. Some of the popular methods are Classic, Montessori and the Charlotte Mason home schooling methods.

Kris Koonar

http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/tips-on-establishing-a-home-school-reading-program-90333.html

When people decide upon homeschooling their children, certain criteria should be considered. The essentials like the syllabus, methods of teaching and most importantly the course material to be referred to, should be selected according to the capacity of the childs grasping power and the level of the prescribed syllabus.

Basic Home Schooling Books

Following are a few basic Home Schooling books that should be included in every homeschooling kit:

. The American Heritage Student dictionary
. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Thesaurus
. The American Heritage High School dictionary

The given reference books are helpful to shape the young minds. They allow the children to learn new definitions, spellings, meanings, synonyms and antonyms that assist their effective usage. The students learn many skills, while learning.

Saving Money on Home Schooling Books and Home School Supplies

Home Schooling expenses are sizeable and sadly they are not tax deductible. However, luckily many retailers have home school discount schemes. They are only given after verifying the identification of the parent and child. Stores accept a home school letterhead or school ID card, preferably from a local homeschooling support group. Some of the national retailers who offer money-saving offers include Staple Office Supplies, Joann Crafts and Border Bookstores.

Given below are some of the outlets where you can find books on homeschooling:

. Direct Buying.

People who are on the look out for books with traditional syllabi should buy from the publishing company directly. This not only makes transactions easier and flawless, but also makes it convenient to directly order the books. This could also be done by logging on to the company website and getting the books shipped. Besides, you can call the company and have the books delivered to your doorstep.

. Block Sales or Flea Market.

Families usually take an off from homeschooling during summer, very similar to the regular school students. As homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular, many parents offer educational material at church or yard sales. A used or a new schoolbook is easily available for few dollars, at any of these sources.

. The Internet.

Most of the homeschooling material is available on various websites. You can avail of great deals at auctions and book-swaps and you can also identify parents selling used books online.

Sometimes, the surplus books are given to schools, to attract more business. Schoolteachers very often sell these on Ebay. You can avail of a decent and reasonable price than the charges levied by the original book company.

. Local Stores.

Classic workbooks and other books can be easily found at stores like Target, Walmart and Kmart. You can access the books in the reading section, before you buy them. Teachers workbooks and other home schooling material are usually needed throughout the year.

Many websites also offer software, games, workbooks, booklets and more. However, they increase the prices and often the supplies are common on all the major home schooling material websites.

It is advisable to maintain the books and supplies, so that you can swap them with other homeschooling students when and as the need arises.

Kris Koonar

http://www.articlesbase.com/homeschooling-articles/where-to-buy-home-schooling-books-and-other-materials-86874.html