Here We Are

    It seemed this would be a good time to review school supplies.  We are in the third quarter of school and are just opening the second ream of paper. 
    Admittedly, not all our this paper went to items that were necessary.   We used the workbooks whenever possible.  We only printed the assessments and pages not included in the workbooks.  However, for extra educational opportunities, we did print science experiment instructions, craft instructions and competition rules and submission pages for a variety of educational, art or writing contests that included a chance to win scholarship prizes.
     We could have probably been more careful and used only one ream of paper for the entire school year if I were not packing the children's work to take to my office three days per week. 
     If we were looking to be even more conservative, and working on classwork only at home where each child has a computer, they could have simply written their answers in their notebooks while looking at the PDF file on the screen.
     We have used about 1/3 of the paints that were sent.  We have used almost 1/2 of a small bottle of school glue.  We have used countless pencils.  We have both wooden pencils to sharpen and mechanical pencils.  My younger child prefers the fine line of mechanical pencils for certain things... like her art assignments. 
     My younger child has used the markers, colored pencils, crayons and the pastels for her art class.  The art pastels and paints were provided by the school.  I will not need to repurchase crayons next year as hers are in fantastic condition.  I will purchase more markers when these dry out... Amazingly, she is still using the same set.. I guess markers dry out faster in a school setting.
     We have opened three packages of loose leaf paper.  My older child is at the stage where she needs to take notes.  She uses both notebook paper as well as the online note taking tool so that she can study anytime or anywhere.
     I did purchase graph paper after school began.  Both children had math assignments that could have been completed without graph paper, but graph paper did make the unit easier to complete and understand.
     We have not used the sticky notes much.  I did find that the agendas were used a lot.  My oldest child especially was able to write down assignments she needed to complete each week.   She looks through those assignments and plans hers according to how many books she wants to carry to my office on "work" days.  That is her methodology. 
     My younger child is more particulular.  She has better success if writing assignments are completed in the mornings.  She is better able to complete her art assignments if she does those at home.  The art assignments can be very specific.  "Now use the pastels to create color contrasts and shadows."   Often, when she has completed the assignment according to the directions, she will show me, I check it off on her attendance and progress and then she will continue to "embellish" with glue, magazine cut outs, markers, or whatever she likes.
     My recommendation still comes back to the very basics.  Purchase the items recommended for the classes...and know your child.  Do not go overboard.  You will not need to purchase near the quantity that the regular schools request.  There is not as much damage or breakage in the home.  Or, I guess I should say, there has not been as much in our home.
     I am looking around this office and am very pleased.  For the next school year, I anticipate purchasing one ream of paper, mechanical pencil refils, and a few items for our extra activities.  I am thrilled.
    Now, if you will excuse me, I have to check on a paper mache brain in the other room.  I believe it is time to paint it.