School supplies to learn at home like a pro
As the summer winds down, many parents find themselves with a shopping list brimming with items needed for the upcoming school year. However, for those homeschooling or tutoring, the supply list can often feel less defined. It doesn’t even have to be summer to refresh your child’s study area at home; ensuring that they have the right tools for their learning journey is essential at any time of year.
Whether you are doing Montessori tutoring or a different approach, this curated list of essential school supplies will help you run your home learning environment like a seasoned educator. After all, these are basically what I use as a teacher, both in the classroom and in tutoring. To make it even easier, I’ve done all the daunting searching for you and added a brief description and a link to each item. Click on the pictures to get straight to Amazon and add to your shopping cart.
Disclaimer: I am also a big believer in being green and helping the planet. If you already have some of these supplies at home, please use what you have already and consider switching brands only after you actually need to buy more.
I explain why I prefer each supply over others, but if you are in a rush and want to get shopping done, skim through the bolded keywords or just click the pictures for links and get it over with :)
Straight forward must-haves
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Pencil
It might be pretty obvious your child needs something to write with. Choosing the perfect tool, however, might not be so straightforward.
There are so many choices! When you click on this link, you will see the “Toddler pencil.” Yes, I understand your child is not a toddler, but bear with me. Here is why I chose this kind.
I like this one because it helps with pencil grip due to the triangular shape.
It helps the kids write easily without using too much strength because its bland graphite makes naturally darker lines.
It is better to have no eraser at the end because they are too little anyway! That way, you encourage the use of a proper eraser.
Eraser
This eraser is perfect for any learner! It is soft, so it erases easily. When paired with a bland graphite pencil, like the one recommended above, can help diminish the frustration of kids when the lines don’t fully erase or when they try really hard to erase and tend to rip the paper.
A word of advice; steer clear of the pretty ones with different shapes and colours because they tend to become a distractor in the middle of important math questions! If your child still wants the latest, pretty eraser, reserve its use for art projects only and keep the simple ones for math practice.
Sharpener
There are many choices as well! I choose this one because, in my many years as a teacher, I’ve constantly seen other brands losing edge midway through the school year, whereas Staedtler stays in shape and can often be reused for more than one year. Anyhow, if you are not a fan of blue and want a different one, just like the steer, clear of distracting ones and make sure it is double-sized so you can use it with any kind of pencil.
Coloured Pencils
Like all the other must-haves, there are endless choices. I choose these ones mainly for two reasons.
1) Quality: Unlike other brands, in all my years of teaching, I've never seen a Prang colour that comes broken from the inside! These always last all the way through.
2) The Montessori method has colour-coding systems that the children learn to associate with concepts. The Montessori materials have these colours to help children isolate difficulty. This is especially true for mathematics. Other brands sometimes don't have all the colours that are needed, or they have different tones that can be confusing for little ones... and for other students, like those who thrive with order, it can be a bit annoying. I buy this because they have exactly the colours I need for Montessori learning.
Pencil Case
A good pencil case will allow the child to see all that it contains without the need to toss everything out. This alone leaves out any fabric pencil case. I like this set because kids can use one for colours and the other for the rest of the supplies, like pencils, erasers and sharpeners. They can stay open while in use and stack easily to put in a drawer or something when not in use.
Geometry Kit
Even before being introduced to geometry, the small rulers that come with this set are very handy when it comes to setting up equations in math. In a Montessori classroom, kids will have lots of materials. I’ve found that in Montessori tutoring, this set is also a must-have.
As a teacher, I LOVE geometry. It is the perfect fusion of art and math. Children should learn geometry throughout elementary school, and there are countless benefits to the early introduction of geometry. I published the research to support this in my Master's Degree action research study in case you want a deeper read. Sadly, unless your child is in a Montessori school or does Montessori tutoring, they won't be introduced to actual geometry until middle school.
Organization Supplies
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2 inch - Ring Binder
This is another case of the endless choices. I like the simple ones like this one so the kids can personalize them on all three sides. In Montessori Tutoring, this is where all your finished work will be stored.
Sheet Protectors
Your child will need this to keep booklets and other items organized. If they are tutoring with me, I'll explain this in detail. As with previous ones, there are many choices for this one as well, I don't think one is very different than the others unless you go with the super heavy duty. So take your pick!
Long Stapler
Children benefit from having small booklets until grade 2 or 3; in grades 4 and up, you won't need this and can get away with a regular one.
If you are tutoring with me, I’ve already designed everything you need so you can just print and use this baby to bind the books.
3 Hole Puncher
Not everything has a sheet protector. In fact, sheet protectors are reserved for special works because kids sometimes need help to use them. So, you will need three holes in any work that needs to be stored. You have many choices! Here is one.
Optional printing-related
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When it comes to learning at home or tutoring for an extended period, investing in a few key items can significantly enhance the experience. The following three supplies are highly recommended, as they will save you money in the long run. Paying this cost upfront is far more economical than making frequent trips to Staples for printing needs. In today's fast-paced world, parents lead incredibly busy lives, and who has the time to run to the store multiple times a week? Printing at home is not only convenient but also cost-effective.
Since I became a Montessori teacher, back in 2013, I’ve always had a printer at home, and I must admit, my eldest absolutely loves being able to print his own colouring sheets whenever he wants! This small investment can lead to a more engaging and independent learning environment for your children.
Tank Printer
When choosing a printer, choose a tank one! Even if there is another bargain. The cost of paying for tiny amounts of ink is just not worth it. Nothing beats the convenience of just filling the liquid ink, especially if you have kids who will constantly want to print things in colour.
I love this HP because it is simple, and you have 2 years of ink! Also, HP doesn’t have any issues connecting with either Mac or Windows like other brands do.
Heavy Duty Cardstock
This is the kind I use for any booklet cover. I love it because it is sturdy and I can also use it for some art projects.
You can even print family photos and they look pretty good! It's not as good as in photo paper, but it good enough to make me not want to buy something extra.
Paper!
There are so many choices! The cheapest is Costco! But it requires space for storing a whole box of these. So this is a very affordable option and it comes right to your home. Perfect if you are a busy parent like me!
In conclusion, equipping your child with the right Montessori-inspired school supplies can create an enriching learning environment that fosters independence and engagement. As you explore these essential materials, remember that the right tools can make a significant difference in your child’s educational journey. Make sure to sign up for my Newsletters at the bottom of this post so you can read more Montessori tips! Next week! I’ll share with you my curated Montessori material list for home learning!
If you're looking for personalized support to help your child thrive academically, consider tutoring with me! Together, we can create a tailored learning experience that meets your child's unique needs and helps them develop a love for learning. Reach out today to discuss how I can assist you and your child on this exciting educational adventure!