The Ultimate Back to School Supplies Checklist for Online Classes

August 8, 2024 byConnections Academy

7 min to read

young girl holding up building block spelling the word GO in front of a lap top computer

As the first day of the new school year draws closer, it’s time to start thinking about online school essentials. Getting a jump on your back-to-school shopping list can help smooth out the transition from summer fun to the new school year for you and your student.

Our Back-to-School Supplies List by Grade Level for Online School

While students enrolled in online school may not need lunchboxes or backpacks like kids who go to brick-and-mortar schools, there are still some basics they will need for school, mainly, a laptop—or other personal computer—headphones, a microphone, webcam, and a reliable internet connection. Students can use their own devices or online schools can help provide equipment for families who do not have their own. Be sure to contact your student’s school counselors with any questions about specific technical requirements.

But even though much of your online student’s learning is done digitally, their school district’s supply list may have specific items on them based on their curriculum. By and large, you’ll need the following for elementary, middle, and high school-aged students:

School Supplies for Elementary Students

Even if they’re learning online, elementary school students still need supplies for arts and crafts as well as school assignments, especially in the earlier years of elementary school. For younger learners, stock up on:

Construction paper

Blunt-tipped scissors

Glue sticks

Crayons, washable markers, or colored pencils

No. 2 pencils

Erasers

Colorful folders

As they get older and assignments get more complex, elementary school students will need to add more functional supplies to this list including:

Wide-ruled notebook paper

Flashcards or index cards to make their own

Ruler

Binders

Tabbed binder dividers

Highlighters

Pencil case

Black and blue pens

Calculator

School Supplies for Middle School Students

By middle school, students will be familiar with what they generally need to complete their assignments, but adding some additional items like planners, personal calendars, or sticky notes to their back-to-school list can help them get in the habit of keeping themselves organized and on top of their schedule without much supervision.

Be sure to pick up:

Graph paper

Highlighters

Sticky notes

Personal calendar or planner

Black or blue pens

Mechanical or No. 2 pencils

Markers

Graphing calculator

College-ruled notebooks

Folders

Binders

Tabbed subject dividers

School Supplies for High School Students

While your teen’s day-to-day school supply needs will likely be similar to what they used in middle school, you might consider what other tools you can give your student to set them up for success as they prepare to for college or whatever comes next.

Graph paper

Highlighters

Sticky notes

Personal calendar or planner

Black or blue pens

Mechanical or no. 2 pencils

Markers

Graphing calculator

College-ruled notebooks

Folders

Binders

Tabbed subject dividers

Where to Buy School Supplies?

Back to school supplies can be bought in store, online, or acquired second-hand from thrift stores or other low-cost options.

The Cost of School Supplies Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank

Good online school supplies and home classroom decor don’t have to be expensive. Go to garage sales in your neighborhood to see if you can find gently used shelving and storage bins. These kinds of sales are also great for miscellaneous items you wouldn’t want to pay full price for in the store like musical instruments or sports equipment for extracurricular activities.

Add Items to Your School Shopping List That Help Organize the Learning Space

Regardless of their learning preference, all students benefit from having an inviting, motivating learning space. Moreover, by keeping everything in its place, students will learn to better manage time by not having to search for their school supplies when they need them.

Items that will help keep your student’s learning space organized include:

Inexpensive, stackable file racks or space on a bookshelf for each subject

A monitor stand with a space to stow the keyboard when it’s not needed

A magnetic whiteboard with erasable markers or a corkboard with thumbtacks to keep small papers and reminders handy

A large planning calendar to keep track of the week’s learning schedule

A desk organizer to keep pens and pencils within reach

Binders and a three-hole punch to organize notes and assignments

A USB flash drive to back up past assignments and lessons

And while you’re thinking about virtual-learning study supplies, look at these online study tools that will help your student plan for the most productive school year possible.

Add Fun to Your Back-to-School Supply List

When you get your Connections Academy® box of learning materials (contents vary by state), treat the delivery as a gift-giving occasion. A little party, some colorful wrapping, maybe even some treats.

For older students, there are any number of ways to celebrate the start of the new remote school year. Try these ideas for using their back-to-school supplies to make virtual learning more enjoyable:

Have a Scavenger Hunt

Hide inexpensive online school supplies from the dollar store—you might even have them already on hand! Give the kids a checklist and a goody bag and turn them loose. You can even invite your neighbors to contribute supplies and have your student’s friends join the fun.

Get K–12 School Supplies That Nurture Creativity

Kids love to connect with their inner artist. Here are some things you’ll need to spark their imaginations:

Construction paper, card stock, markers, colored pencils, glitter, and other art supplies

Sketch pads and drawing paper

Child-safe glue and glue sticks

Clear overhead projector sheets and wipe-off markers

Old magazines that have lots of pictures (great for art projects)

Laminate sheets, so you can protect reference notes or enable your student to practice a worksheet multiple times

Fun novelty items your child enjoys using like decorative erasers, stickers, brightly colored pens, pencils, highlighters, markers, Sharpie® markers, etc.

Themed binder with notebook labels

Brightly colored or patterned duct tape to decorate binders

With a bit of planning and a lot of enthusiasm, you can help get your students excited about going back to school. Your family’s efforts in organization are likely to pay off in helping your kids make a smooth and positive start in online school for the upcoming school year.