Back to School Supplies for Middle School

We are approaching that time in summer where we need to start thinking about back to school supplies. I know, I really don’t want to think about it, but with one kid starting high school mid-August and another child starting middle school the day after Labor day, back to school supplies is something we need to start picking up. The school supplies for middle school will be a bit different than what we are used to picking up for elementary school.

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My daughter is going into sixth grade and she is beyond excited. She’s excited to have her own locker, supplies that is just hers, and she is excited to travel between classes. After going through the middle school years once already with her older brother, we have a handle on what exactly is needed.

School Supplies for Middle School

Cinch Sack

For some stupid reason, in our district, kids cannot use backpacks at the middle school level (they can in high school). However, they are allowed a cinch sack. We’ve purchased this cinch sack and really like it for a number of reasons.

adidas Alliance Ii Sackpack, Bright Cyan/Black/White, One Size

One of the reasons we like this one (besides the color!!) is that it can fit a water bottle on the side. If you are allowed to use a cinch, but not a backpack, GET ONE! It can hold those little random things that you need, but can’t carry easily from class to class. Also, for girls that have or may start their period, it can hold their supplies for that, as well.

Zippered Binder

Again, for those that can’t use a backpack (or those that don’t want to), a zippered binder is a must have item. We found one that has a file folder section in it that you can put tabs on for each class. This is a good place for kids to put their homework from each class or notes that must get home.

Case-it Mighty Zip Tab 3-Inch Zipper Binder, Black, D-146-BLK

This is the binder we got. One of the features I like is that it comes with a shoulder strap so your child can wear it across their body for easy carrying. It’s very heavy duty and holds up to the daily use.

Loose Leaf Paper

This is kind a no brainer and you probably think I’m crazy for mentioning it, but there is a specific loose leaf paper you should buy. Trust me. It’s well worth the couple cents more.

Five Star Loose Leaf Paper, 3 Hole Punched, Reinforced Filler Paper, College Ruled, 11

This loose leaf paper has reinforced holes! Such a genius product and well worth it for the kids. I can remember many nights in middle school and high school where I was forced to put those little circle stickers over the holes of my loose leaf paper (always on both sides) just to make sure I didn’t lose my notes. Not anymore. These kids don’t know how good they got it now! This is a pretty good price for it too!

Mechanical Pencils

I was not a pro-mechanical pencil person because we had a TON of regular pencils. But after seeing how teachers would get upset with kids for needing to sharpen a pencil or how crappy the regular pencils are, it just became apparent that we needed to buy the mechanical type. Here are the ones we swear by:

BIC Xtra-Life Mechanical Pencil, 0.7 mm, 40-Count

Again, stock up. This is an excellent price…works out to be about $0.16 a pencil! Buy lots because your kids will go through them!

Those are the top four things you will need for middle school. Of course, each individual teacher may have their items that they want kids to have, but the items above are the general school supplies for middle school items you can’t do without…in my opinion. Other items we found useful are listed below. Our district uses Chromebooks. This year we are opting to buy our daughter her own and utilize the Bring Your Own Device program. The Chromebooks the district have for the kids have seen better days.

Dated Middle School or High School Student Planner for Academic Year 2018-2019 (Block Style – 5.5Casio fx-300MS Scientific CalculatorMead Composition Books/Notebooks, Wide Ruled Paper, 100 Sheets, 9-3/4BIC Cristal Xtra Smooth Ball Pen, Medium Point (1.0 mm), Red, 10-CountASUS Chromebook C202SA-YS01 11.6Toysmith Really Big Eraser

Good luck and happy shopping for your back to school supplies for middle school!