Back to School: What to Expect from First Grade

School is right around the corner. For some it was too short a summer, but for others, including the parents, it was too long. So here we are with our soon-to-be first graders. They've enjoyed what was most likely an easy year in kindergarten. Some had all day and some had those half days. And some, like my son, got to do the lazy afternoon route. But, 1st grade is all day. All day is wonderful for parents, working and stay at home. It's a great break to get stuff done during the week. Time to read, clean ... dare I say, relax!

But, all kids need things to get ready for big kid schooling. The first of these is supplies. You can have the cool clothes later, but they won't help you learn. So, your child should always understand that supplies come first. Usually you can find a supply list online or at the school office near the end of August. Some may even mail them to you. Finding cheap supplies is easy if you know where to shop. The dollar store should always be your first stop. Pretty much every kind of supply is located there and you won't be spending $4 on a package of 6 Crayola markers. If there are some supplies that aren't located there that you just can't afford, then let the teacher know. Most supplies are used as community usable once they reach your child's classroom anyway. Then there are some supplies that really just don't seem that necessary. Once school asks for baby wipes. Well, the dollar store has baby wipes and they can be cheap, but what is the purpose of wipes? To wash off things that become messy. Isn't that what paper towels and rags are for? I'm far more likely to donate rags from old towels for free than to continuously buy baby wipes throughout the year. This may be especially true for those with diaper bearing children.