Back-to-School Supplies for Middle School

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Back-to-School Supplies for Middle School

The Basics

1. No. 2 Pencils

A great choice of pencil for kids making the move to cursive writing, these Laddie Tri-Write pencils are comfortable and controllable thanks to their intermediate size.

Ticonderoga DIX13806BN No. 2 Pencils, Pre-Sharpened, 12 Per Box, 6 Boxes, Wood/Graphite, Yellow (Pack of 6)

2. Mechanical Pencils

A pencil plays an important role in letting an artist sketch and a student take notes with ease. But, if there is one thing we all hate about pencils, it is the fact that they need constant sharpening. With mechanical pencils, you don’t have to worry about this anymore. The mechanically extendable solid pigment in the pencils, also called the lead, is replaceable. So you just need to change the lead and keep writing or drawing. 

Amazon Basics Mechanical Pencils, Medium Point (0.7 mm) - 24-Pack

3. Colored Pencils

Colored pencils are often associated with childhood, but with the adult coloring book craze, it’s clear that grown-ups like to use them, too. These tools, however, can do much more than color inside lines. Artists regularly use colored pencils in their drawings because they offer a range of possibilities—especially in their hues. 

Crayola Colored Pencil Set, School Supplies, Assorted Colors, 36 Count, Long

4. Pencil Sharpener

Pencil sharpeners, work as well at home as in the schools. Pencil sharpeners are available in plastic and metal, electric and manual, small and large. You pick what’s right for you!

Mr. Pen- Pencil Sharpener for Colored Pencils, 3 Pack, 3 Hole, Pencil Sharpener Manual, Art Pencil Sharpeners, Jumbo Pencil Sharpener, Artist Pencil Sharpener, Colored Pencil Sharpener

5. Large Pink Eraser

Stop struggling with eraser smudges and enjoy the clean finish of Paper Mate Pink Pearl Erasers. Thanks to a smear-resistant, latex-free design. Classic, pink eraser easily removes pencil marks.

Paper Mate Pink Pearl Erasers, Large, 12 Count

6. Ballpoint Pens (Get a few with red, purple, or green ink, too, for peer editing.)

The convenience of the ballpoint pens has made it a household name. Ballpoint Pens are Usually more budget-friendly than rollerball or fountain pens, this pen provides a controlled writing experience. The ballpoint’s ink has minimal bleed-through and dries almost instantly on paper, leaving your words un-smudged and on the page.

BIC Soft Feel Retractable Ballpoint Pen, Medium Point (1.0mm), Black and Blue, 36-Count, Soft-Touch Barrel for Comfort

7. Highlighters

Highlighters make marking important information from business meetings and school notes easy. It’s easy for students and professionals to find the information later without endless searching by looking for the vivid marks on the page. Find the exclusive range of highlighter markers that comes in various colors.

Sharpie Tank Highlighters Assorted Fluorescent Colors | Chisel Tip Highlighter Pens, 12 Count

8. Spiral-Bound or Composition Notebooks

From elementary school classrooms to college lecture halls, composition notebooks are a popular solution for students and teachers. Whether you’re taking notes or keeping a personal journal, there’s a composition notebook to meet your needs and preferences. To pick the perfect composition notebook, consider which kind of pages will best suit your purposes.

Graphique Designer Notebooks - Be Here Now - Spiral Bound Writing Journals for Offices, Schools, Classrooms, and More - Hard Cover with 160 Ruled Pages (6.25" x 8.25")

9. Loose-Leaf Notebook Paper

Whether it’s for taking notes in class or completing homework assignments, loose-leaf paper can be tucked away in pocket folders with fasteners for easy access. When it comes to loose-leaf paper, there are many ruling options to choose from, including college, wide, quadrille, and dot grid. 

Oxford Filler Paper, 8-1/2" x 11", College Rule, 3-Hole Punched, Loose-Leaf Paper for 3-Ring Binders, 500 Sheets Per Pack (62349),White

10. Ruler

This 2 Pack plastic clear ruler 2 Side measuring ruler is a good measuring tool, easy and convenient to use. Dual side measuring ruler, centimeter-scale is on one edge of the ruler and inch scale is on the other edge; Can meet your different measuring needs.

2 Pack Plastic Ruler Straight Ruler Plastic Measuring Tool for Student School Office (Clear, 12 Inch)

Organizational Helpers

1. Several 3-Ring Binders

This stylish organizer binder can conveniently hold 8.5″ x 11″ paper, planner pages, sheet protectors, and indexes. This vintage-style binder comes with a 3-ring metal mounted on the binder spine. 

Samsill Vintage Hardback 3 Ring Binder, Professional Binder Organizer, Planner, 1 Inch Rings

2. A 3-Hole Punch

Class notes, meeting memos, and finished assignments can stay neat and organized in your binder with help from Bostitch. This 3-hole punch is crafted with durable metal construction and can punch up to 12 sheets of paper at a time. Punches in standard 3-hole configuration with 9/32” diameter holes.

Bostitch Office HP12 3 Hole Punch, 12 Sheet Capacity, Metal,Silver

3. A Pencil Case that Fits in a Binder

The binder pencil pouch is made of sturdy Oxford cloth, not easy to be punctured by sharp pen nibs or tore by kids. There are 3 metal grommets in a row, which fits a standard 3-ring file folder. The zippered binder pencil case is applicable for all kinds of supplies such as pens, pencils, or some tools like compasses, scissors, rulers. 

Zippered Binder Pencil Pouch with Rivet Enforced Hole 3 Ring Pencil Case Mixed Color 5 Packs

4. Binder Dividers

Organize complex files and make it easy to find important information in binders and accessories by using binder dividers, binder tabs, insertable tab dividers, and other styles of dividers and tabs. Perfect for at home, at the office, or in the classroom, these binder accessories help sort subjects, delineate projects, and provide instant identification when searching for the particular material.

Binder Dividers with Front Pocket Binder Index Dividers 8-Tab Set Pack of 3 Sets Multicolor Tab dividers Plastic Binder Dividers with Tabs

5. Folders (Pocket folders and folders that fit in binders)

This Five Star folder will help you keep all of your class assignments, reports, and other schoolwork organized and securely in place. Whether you use it for math or history or, dedicate to homework, you can keep organized and productive with this folder. It has horizontal and vertical pockets on each side, providing more room for papers and keeping them securely in place.

Five Star 4 Pocket Folders, 2 Pocket Folders Plus 2 Additional Pockets, Assorted Colors, 6 Pack (38058)

6. Small Notebook to Record Assignments

Small notebooks are perfectly portable and not at all cumbersome. If you need a safe space to store a log or information, be it a gym notebook, or a handy reference guide of notes and measurement, these are the books for you! 

2 Pack Pocket Notebook Small Notebook 3.5" x 5.5" Thick Lined Paper with Inner Pockets,Pen Holder,Marker Ribbons Mini Journal Notepad Black Leather

7. Calendar for Scheduling Assignments

The calendar provides a daily, weekly, and monthly view of all items that include a scheduled date, including graded assignments and events.

2021-2022 Planner - Academic Planner 2021-2022 with Weekly & Monthly Spreads, Jul 2021 - Jun 2022, Strong Twin - Wire Binding, Round Corner, Improving Your Time Management Skill

8. Backpack (Some schools don’t allow rolling backpacks.)

If you’re headed back on campus in 2021, you’re going to need a stylish college backpack. There are available so many best options for students.

17 Inches Lunch Bookbag for Student, Multi-functional Lunch Box with Insulated Cooler Compartment, Water Resistant Laptop Backpack with USB Charging Port for College School Daily Work Travel Picnic Hiking Beach

 9. 2 Combination Locks (one for their locker, one for the gym locker)

Combination locks are best used as a school locker lock and gym lock, providing protection and security from theft.

TOPOM Combination Lock 4 Digit Outdoor Waterproof Padlock for School Gym Sports Locker, Gate, Fence, Toolbox, Hasp Storage (Black, Pack of 2)

Study Aids

1. Index Cards (to Make Flashcards)

Index Cards are one of the classic study tools, and for good reason – they promote studying through active recall, which is one of the practices through which our brains learn most effectively.

Oxford Blank Index Cards, 3" x 5", White, 300 pack (10013)

2. Calculator (Check the teacher’s policy on using smartphones with calculators. Also check with the math teacher before buying an expensive calculator.)

The calculator provides simple and advanced mathematical functions in a beautiful manner.

Helect Calculator, Standard Function Desktop Calculator, Black

3. Protractor

A protractor is a measuring instrument, typically made of transparent plastic or glass, for measuring angles. Protractors are fun and easy to use. 

eBoot Plastic Protractor 180 Degree, 4 Inch and 6 Inch, Clear, 2 Pieces

Craft Materials

1. Drawing Paper

There are tons of interesting drawing papers that you can use for your pen and ink artwork! The most traditional kind of drawing paper is plain white drawing paper that you can buy in pads or in single sheets.

Bellofy 3 x Drawing Paper Pads

2. Construction Paper

Enable yourself to create the paper projects you envision with construction paper that performs the way you need it to. From bright and bold colors to soft neutrals and pastels, there’s a wide assortment of colored construction papers to choose from.

SunWorks Construction Paper, 10 Assorted Colors, 9" x 12", 500 Sheets, PCON01500

3. Glue Sticks

Glue sticks are solid and hard adhesives in a twist or push-up tubes. Users can apply glue by holding the open tube to keep their fingers clean. Apply glue smoothly and easily to a variety of projects with glue sticks. 

Elmer's Disappearing Purple School Glue Sticks, 0.77 oz Each, 3 Sticks per Pack (E562)
Elmer's Disappearing Purple School Glue Sticks, 0.77 oz Each, 3 Sticks per Pack (E562)

4. 4-oz. Bottle of White Glue

This white liquid school glue is a must-have for any craft-oriented environment, equipping art classrooms and daycare centers with a safe, all-purpose adhesive for a wide range of fun, dynamic projects. Thanks to its convenient 4 oz. size, it’s even packaged just for kids, fitting easily in backpacks, pencil pouches, and small hands ready to create.

Elmers Liquid School Glue, Slime Glue & Craft Glue | Washable, 4 Ounces Each, 12 Count, Great for Making Slime

5. Scotch Tape

Scotch Tape is a brand name used for pressure-sensitive tapes manufactured by 3M. tart the school year off right with some tips for getting your household organized and some ideas for helping kids be ready for the day.

Scotch Magic Tape, 6 Rolls, Numerous Applications, Invisible, Engineered for Repairing, 3/4 x 1000 Inches, Boxed (810K6)

6. Mini Stapler

Need to take a stapler on the road? Or in a backpack? A mini stapler is the best solution.

Amazon Basics Stapler, Desktop Staplers with 1000 Staples, Office Stapler, 10 Sheet Capacity, Non-Slip, Black

7. Scissors

We usually use standard scissors for most of our cutting requirements. However, there are specific scissors for each task and that’ll make your job easy and quick. Online you’ll find a wide range of options in different designs, handles and features.

Fiskars 01-004761J Softgrip Scissors Straight Stainless Steel, 8 Inch

8. Watercolor Paints

Make a splash with watercolor paint. Shop a variety of watercolors, including watercolor paint tubes, watercolor pens, and liquid watercolors.

GenCrafts Watercolor Palette with Bonus Paper Pad Includes 48 Premium Colors - 2 Refillable Water Blending Brush Pens - No Mess Storage Case - 15 Sheets of Water Color Paper - Portable Painting

9. Water-Based Markers

Non-permanent marker is designed for overhead projection writing. Write on overhead transparency film or such glossy surfaces as photos, transparency sleeves, slide frames, cromalins, glass, acrylic, and vinyl with water-based markers.

Staedtler 334C42 Triplus Fineliner 42-Color Assorted Super Fine Water-Based Marker

Home Computer Supplies

1. Printer Paper

 When it comes to making everyday copies, choosing copy/print paper that’s made for your inkjet or laser printer can help those tasks go smoothly. Notepads come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can choose how you jot down your task lists, meeting notes and more. 

HP Printer Paper | 8.5 x 11 Paper | BrightWhite 24 lb |1 Ream - 500 Sheets| 100 Bright | Made in USA - FSC Certified | 203000R

2. Ink Cartridges

Whether you are after color or black ink, there is a wide selection online that makes sure to find what you need.

HP 64XL | Ink Cartridge | Black | Works with HP ENVY Photo 6200 Series, 7100 Series, 7800 Series, HP Tango and HP Tango X | N9J92AN

Nice to Have

1. Water Bottle (Stainless Steel or BPA-Free)

School water bottles are a great way to ensure that your little one stays hydrated throughout the day. Your child can easily carry it with him and it will be a constant reminder for him to keep sipping on some water. Finding the right material is key to finding that perfect bottle.  

24OZ Stainless Steel Insulated Kettle / Sports Water Bottle / BPA-FREE Drop-Proof Reusable Hiking Thermal Flask
24OZ Stainless Steel Insulated Kettle / Sports Water Bottle / BPA-FREE Drop-Proof Reusable Hiking Thermal Flask

2. Locker Organizer (and Other Accessories)

Truly the ultimate organizing solution for lockers! Students need all the help they can get to stay organized at school, and this fully customizable system does just that.

StorageMax Deluxe School Locker Organizer with 3 Adjustable Shelves - Fits Lockers from 8.75" and 12.5" Wide

About the author

Indu has been educator since last 10 years. She can find all kind of scholarship opportunities in the USA and beyond. She also teach college courses online to help students become better. She is one of the very rare scholarship administrator and her work is amazing.