Happy, happy Thursday, friends!
It’s another edition of…
Today is our final BACK TO SCHOOL post of the season, and it’s all about…TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: SCHOOL SUPPLIES.
One of the best movie quotes of all time 🙂 .
I don’t know about you, but we’ve spent the last few weeks buying alllllll the school supplies.
Some of them, I love.
Some of them, I don’t love.
Whether you want to chime in about school supplies OR your office supplies (because let’s be real, they’re interchangeable), I have a feeling you’re passionate about some that you love (and don’t love!).
Alrighty, here are my TOP FIVE SCHOOL SUPPLIES…
#5: CLASSIC BLACK BIC PENS
Nothing writes better than a classic Bic pen. In black. I buy them by the box.
I know I’ve shared this before, but I worked for my dad for years, and he only had two rules: no Post It Notes and nothing but black ink.
My dad is the most laidback person I know, so both of these things make laugh because they’re very out of character.
#4: WIDE RULED SPIRALS
First of all, “college ruled” anything is just terrible. I don’t want to write on it, and I don’t want to read someone else’s writing crammed into those thin lines. I love a fresh WIDE RULED spiral notebook. I love that it lays flat when open, that you can fold it over…it’s a blank canvas of possibilities.
#3: POST IT NOTES
And probably because of those years working with my dad, I love a Post It Note. I think they’re extra awesome in a neon color too. They’re just magical little pieces of paper. Somehow, they’re the perfect size AND they stick to pages, computer screens, file folders. Love.
#2: FLAIR PENS
My very very favorite writing utensil! I’ve tried all the other markers and pens and nothing comes close to the Flair. I keep them in my purse, next to my Bible, and of course, I have dozens and dozens in my desk. They are perfection.
#1: A FRESH NEW PLANNER
I almost exclusively use academic planners. A fresh new planner is without a doubt my favorite back to school supply. I am almost 45 years old, and I still love to add stickers, use my Flair pens to make it colorful, I love writing in birthdays and vacation dates…oh I get excited just thinking about it now.
As much as I love these items though, there are a few school supplies, I don’t enjoy.
Here are my BOTTOM FIVE SCHOOL SUPPLIES…
#5: SCOTCH TAPE
I hate when I lose the end on the dispenser. It’s really basically a lost cause after that. I also don’t understand why I buy a roll and my kids instantly take it. I have yet to find out what my children are doing with all the scotch tape, but it disappears so quickly around here.
That being said…
#4: GLUE STICKS
…give me scotch tape over a glue stick any day of the week. They’re basically useless school supplies. Glue sticks never really “stick” anything together. You just end up with a sticky mess smeared all over the paper. And heaven forbid you use a purple glue stick! That just leaves a purple sticky mess.
#3: WHITE OUT TAPE
I adore old school White Out…I despise White Out Tape. Whoever thought this was a good replacement was wrong. It comes out crooked, in one long bunch, it’s hard to write over, it isn’t wide enough to really “white out” anything. It’s terrible. And yet, somehow, this is sold at most stores now instead of the liquid version.
#2: COMPOSITION NOTEBOOKS
I mentioned this the other day, but my kids each had to have several for school, and I DO NOT UNDERSTAND. The cover doesn’t stay open, the spine doesn’t lie flat. I can’t find one redeeming quality of these notebooks and yet, every teacher clearly loves them.
#1: REGULAR PENCILS
There is absolutely nothing more useless than a pencil. An unsharpened, basic pencil is absolutely worthless. It’s just a stick. And if you take the time to sharpen it? Well that only lasts a hot minute because either the least bit of pressure snaps off the end OR it goes dull after a little writing and turns back into something useless. Mechanical pencils might have been the best school supply invention of all time because a regular pencil is the worst.
And that, my friends, are my TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Now…
It wouldn’t be a TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE without Andrew weighing in too.
ANDREW’S TOP FIVE SCHOOL SUPPLIES:
#5: Post It Notes
#4: School Shoes. I consider these school supplies because growing up, I always got a new pair before school.
#3: Compass. Fun to draw circles and you can use it to protect yourself from rabid animals.
#2: Engineering paper
#1: Paper Mate Blue Pens. Coach Snyder ALWAYS used them in purple ink.
ANDREW’S BOTTOM FIVE SCHOOL SUPPLIES:
#5: Crayons. I would rather use markers.
#4: Pencil Sharpeners
#3: Erasers
#2: Glue
#1: Chalk! I hate chalk!!
And those are the TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE SCHOOL SUPPLIES here at the Shull house!
Don’t forget, you can catch all of my BACK TO SCHOOL POSTS right HERE!
Plus…
Make sure you check out these other TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE blog posts:
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: SUMMER GIVE UPS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: END OF SCHOOL YEAR
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: VALENTINE’S CANDY
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CONDIMENTS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: HOLIDAY HOLIDAY THINGS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: STORE-BOUGHT COOKIES
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: THINGS ABOUT A FAIR/CARNIVAL
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: ICE CREAM FLAVORS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: SPRING CLEANING
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: TRAVELING BY PLANE
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: SKIING WITH YOUR FAMILY
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CHRISTMAS MOVIES
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: HALLOWEEN CANDY
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CEREALS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: HOUSEHOLD CHORES
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CHRISTMAS SONGS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: THANKSGIVING FOODS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE ROAD TRIP SNACKS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: VEGETABLES
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: THINGS ABOUT FALL
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CHRISTMAS FOODS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: SNOW DAYS
Now, it’s your turn! What are your TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE SCHOOL SUPPLIES?
Please comment and share!
HAPPY THURSDAY, friends!
If you’re looking for a yummy breakfast casserole this week, make sure you check out…
…my CHEESY SAUSAGE BISCUIT BREAKFAST CASSEROLE!
I hope you all have the best, best day! I’ll see you tomorrow. xx
Emilee says
As a teacher I have so many opinions on school supplies. 😂 Crayola anything will always be better than Roseart, and Ticonderoga pencils are superior. I detest glue sticks but unfortunately they are a necessity. Glue sticks are also the main topic of a lesson I’m teaching today to my new first graders: “how to cut and glue things properly.” Fun times ahead! 🤪
Jennifer C. says
Imagine the look of horror on my face when the admin informed us a that we have a plethora of donated pencils that we will use up this year instead of ordering the Ticonderoga we asked for. I hope they plan to come sharpen those cheap pencils for me, too! 🤪
Robin says
i am a retired K-1 teacher and I came here to say the same thing about Ticonderoga pencils. Mechanical pencils and 5-6 year olds are not a good mix. The brand names like Crayola, Elmer’s and Expo are worth the extra money.
Kelly Whinery says
Spiral notebooks unspiral in a school setting. 🤪 Every. Single. Time.
Elspeth Mizner says
I love a fresh planner to start the new year! I can’t stand Chalk, it’s messy, i gets everywhere and i don’t like the sound of the chalk board!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Heather Hawkins says
Fun read! I’m an elementary teacher and we use Post-it labeling and cover-up tape daily! Acts like white out tape but better and wider!!!l
Diane Moore says
Growing up, the tape & scissors were always missing (5 kids), so we have tape everywhere, in drawers, in with the wrapping, in the pantry, and scissors in every room, and my car!
😁
Reba says
I’m a teacher & I despise composition books! They are useless and every time I buy them for my kids, they end up bringing them home in May with one page written in it. So now when school supply lists mention them, I roll my eyes and buy cute versions because then they can at least be cute church/road trip journals in the future!
I also love Post-its and Flair pens! And a academic planners are the best.
Shannon says
I’ve always said office/school supplies are my love language. And the You Got Mail is also one of my faves. So I love this topic!
TOP
1. Flair pens
2. Pentel Clic erasers
3. Mechanical pencils
4. Yellow post-its with blue lines. LOVE
5. White-out tape. (Sorry, Shay!) 😂 I love how smooth it is and how satisfying it feels to glide it across the paper. In my head, I’m basically Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music, sweeping across the hills—except with white-out tape!
BOTTOM
1. Small paper clips. If they ever reach me, I throw them away. Yuck! They gross me out.
2. Pink pearl erasers. Also yuck!
3. Plastic folders. Don’t get me started on how annoying these slick little monsters are.
4. Accordion post-it notes. Former teacher here so you can imagine how many of those I had to confiscate during my lectures. 🙄
5. Sharpies. Yes, they are useful but they bleed through paper and are permanent when you get them on your clothes. And then when you want to use them on said clothes, they bleed. Boo!
Mix and Match Mama says
I LOVE your list! I mean, I hate White Out Tape, but I love your list 😉 .
Kim M Letteer says
I love the Pilot g-2 0.7 fine-point pens. Always works, writes smooth, and give me all the colors!
Paula Hobbs says
Andrew’s list cracked me up!! I really don’t mind the school supplies, however it drives me insane to have to send my sophomore son to school with baggies, paper towels, Kleenex, wipes, extra dry erase markers, etc. In fact this year he straight up told me not to bother because he is NOT going to tote all that mess into school. I would much rather make a donation to the PTA any day of the week (and which I totally did this year!) I’m also a faithful donor to teachers amazon lists as well. Just don’t make these kids bring in a Walmart haul each year! Also, spot on about the college ruled paper!!! Wide rule of bust for me!!
Allison says
Andrew. Chalk. A compass. I’m dying. If chalk doesn’t show our age, I don’t know what does! LOL!
Mix and Match Mama says
I almost spit my coffee out!
Laci Murray says
I worked for an attorney for years so I am a BLUE ink only girl and Post it notes are a must!
Laurie says
No notes, perfection. Chalk is the worst but I think I remember, or am dating myself by not remembering correctly or remembering wrong, but I feel like we had to clean the chalk erasers. Maybe in a machine or clapping them together? I can still taste chalk dust.
Alana says
These posts are my favorite! Andrew’s #3 on top five… he’s hilarious!
Susan P Fitzpatrick says
I’m with you on the hate of composition notebooks and Andrew on the chalk! I cannot stand the feel of chalk on my skin! Just so much awful dust too. I remember a couple of my teachers had chalk holders. That would have been me had I been a teacher. 😅
SS says
Shay these are all good. Andrew who uses chalk anymore except to draw outside? 😆
I love to have graph paper on hand for littles when they are learning to do anything with double digits. It makes them visually see how things need to be lined up.
I love a pencil…not cheap pencils because the lead breaks so easily…I can’t ever find a sharpener that words good either. My parent have an old school one that suctions to the table best sharpener ever!
Dry erase markers and a small white board for figuring things out without lots of scrap paper.
Shay, in college I would get my wide ruled notebook and a matching folder with a 3 ring binder to keep all of one class organized… Made life mush easier.
Hand me down clothes when I was younger from older cousins…new to me clothes as I got older clothes from those same cousins or friends that we would ‘borrow”… 😆
Deborah Leland says
I am surprised highlighters didn’t make your top 5 list! Have a great Thursday.
Mix and Match Mama says
I only like pink, yellow and orange. I do not love a blue or green one. Is that weird?
Courtney says
I LOVE a good mechanical pencil – esp. the Bic pastel glitter. In my 30s and still always have a box at my desk. Also, I need to know the reasoning behind dad’s dislike of post-its! LOVE ME A POST IT.
Carol says
I ADORE Flairs! I use them for everything. It’s always a **sign*** to my team members when I enter a meeting with a (gasp) BROWN Flair. That reveals my hidden thoughts about said meeting.
Mix and Match Mama says
Bahahahaha! They are THE BEST!
Karen says
Hi Shay, Could you please link the white ruffle skirt you were wearing with the plaid shirt on yesterday’s post? It’s so cute!! Thank you!
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s an oldie but goodie from Lily Pulitzer 🙂 .
hammondzoo says
I loved your comment about the pencil- “it’s basically just a stick”. It made me laugh. 🙂
Faith Kapp says
I don’t have school age kids but still buy myself some cute supplies every year. I love flair pens, a fun/cute notebook or journal and post it notes.
I thought I would reminisce from my childhood – my favorites were my trapper keeper and my pink and turquoise notebook paper.
Mix and Match Mama says
I just love, love this, Faith! I had a trapper keeper too and thought it was just the BEST.
Casey Callaham says
Top Five:
1. Pentel mechanical pencils, with the amazing erasers
2. Post-its
3. A planner with each day as a column
4. Flair pens
5. Highlighters – I can’t believe no one has mentioned!
Bottom Five:
1. Fine-tip pens
2. Metal paper-clips – silicone covered only!
3. Pencil sharpeners
4. Glue – of any kind really
5. White-out – also of any kind
Mix and Match Mama says
I need my days in a column too! I don’t want a planner with the days running horizontal, vertical only!
Kathleen Compton says
This is the only kind of lesson plan book I can use… columns for sure!! And you’d be surprised how few lesson plan books come with days in columns… which makes no sense b/c I’d have to keep my plan book open across my desk to see the whole day, instead of folded in a nice stack on my desk tray. Luckily I found one years ago that I love and just reorder in different designs each year!
sandi says
Other than a Mac book Neo for our last kid heading to college, we purchased zero school supplies this year. But that, along with tuition, was enough!! Most everything in her dorm room is a hand-me-down from an older sibling; she was so chill about decorating. Buying composition notebooks though was the worst because they never were totally used.
Erin H says
I have an almost 8-year old and I have to hide my scotch tape from her. Last year (and I will probably again this year) I put a box of tape on her Christmas wish list! I love a new box of crayons, but as soon as they’re no longer shop get them out of here. Agree on the pencils – I have a coworker who has a whole pen cup full of pencils and I can’t for the life of me figure out why. I like a colored ink gel pen, but still had a blue ink pen. No idea why. Ha!
Mix and Match Mama says
I am going to put Scotch tape in my kids’ stockings. Brilliant!
Tina says
As an office worker and a student I adore office/school supplies. Your love of bic pens baffles me. I would throw those out. Have you tried Pentel RSVP in black? I would assert it is a superior black pen to the Bic.
Top 5
1. Paper mate ink joy pens in ALL the colors
2. Bic bright liner highlighter in ALL the colors
3. Any post it’s, especially the tab dividers
4. 6 inch plastic ruler for use with highlighters
5. Flair pens in all the colors
Bottom 5
1. Cheap generic pens
2. Any pencil that is not Ticonderoga
3. Pink erasers white are superior.
4. Non crayola crayons and colored pencils
5. Colored paper clips mixed with regular. I will throw you all in the trash.
6. Wide rule paper
Mix and Match Mama says
I just spent way too many minutes looking at Pentel pens online. Bahahahaha!
Julia says
I’m team composition notebook over here! I love them! It’s like a paperback book. Spiral notebooks are my enemy – they un-spiral and scratch my desk surfaces. They also don’t stack as well if you have multiple!
Rachel says
English/Reading teacher for 25 years. I like composition books because they don’t get tangled and stuck together like spirals do. And, I don’t like spirals because I’m left handed, spirals hurt! I like flair pens, but I think the Amazon Basics version is actually better. My favorite pen right now is a Sharpie S-Gel. The green ones match my classroom! I like PaperMate ink joys for colored ink.
Dena says
As a teacher I have strong feels on school supplies.
I agree on Sharpie S-Gel pens. They are superior to all pens.
Ticonderoga pencils and anything Crayola are the only way to go.
A nice blank composition book does it for me. Once you crack that binding it’s good to go. Spirals just catch on other notebooks and unwind.
A brand new teacher planner/calendar gives me so much joy. Every year I always first look for a cover that draws me and then I’ll check to make sure the inside components meet my needs.
Candy Miller says
I love a good planner. Which brand do you use?
Mix and Match Mama says
For the last three-ish years, Callie Danielle because they’re so so happy and seasonal 🙂
Jennifer says
I love the Top 5 Bottom 5 posts; so fun! I have to say I prefer college ruled spiral notebooks and white out tape but yes give me all the neon post it notes. Do kids today even use a compass? I think another fun topic for Top 5 Bottom 5 would be airports. Curious what your favorites are and which ones you would prefer avoiding.
Mix and Match Mama says
Ohhhhh that’s a great topic! Thanks, Jennifer!
Tracy says
I love flair pens, post-it notes, index cards in fun colors and glue dots! I’m with you on composition notebooks–they don’t make sense at all!
Joann says
Do you have a link to the light denim dress you were wearing in your instagram reel yesterday?
Mix and Match Mama says
I do! It’s here: https://go.shopmy.us/p-81900153
Kerry Shelton says
Ha! 6th grade teacher here who loves her composition notebooks! Spiral notebooks get caught on everything, including the kids themselves! We have small desks and composition books fit and stack so neatly. They can slide them in and out of desks with no problem! And, the covers never rip off. By far, though, give me all the good pens! I do love a fresh Bic pen, but the BEST pens are Pilot Precise v7. Great colors, smooth writing. Chef’s kiss! A close second is the Pentel Energel pen-purple is the best for all.the.grading.
Alexis says
Ohhhh so much to say as a third grade teacher over here on year 16!
Flair pens – nothing beats them!
Yes to the basic black Bic pens!!
Crayola everything – RoseArt gives me hives.
Ticonderoga pastel pencils – the very best and all I ever use in my classroom! They last so long and sharpen so well. As an adult, I love mechanical pencils for myself, but for 8 year olds, those are a nightmare and break nonstop and then there are tiny pencil lead pieces everywhere. 🫠
Composition books stack better, don’t unspiral (if that is a word) and are great for kids! I love a spiral note book myself (wide-ruled for the win!) but for younger kids composition books have a lot of pros. I use both in my classroom for different things!
Glue sticks – a necessity for kiddos but never a fave. And also one of those items that name brand does make a difference – Elmer’s is superior!
Mini pencil sharpeners – my nightmare.
Liquid white out always and forever. I’ll never understand the love of white out tape.
Smencils – my favorite fun school supply to give to my kiddos in class – the scent never fades, they sharpen perfectly, and they have their own little holders. Mades would love them!!! The regular and the party smencils are the best – they’re on Amazon, thank me later. 😉
Mr. Sketch markers – regular and the Stix! Always my fav to grade with and the scents make me smile – the kids love them!
Loooove school supplies! So fresh and so new – just the best!
Mix and Match Mama says
Smencils! My kids love those!!
Marybeth says
My top 5:
-Ticonderoga pencils
-Post-It notes-the 3 x 3 ones in bright colors and the larger ones that are lined
-A good planner (I’ll have to check out the Callie Danielle ones!)
-Flair pens in ALL the colors
-White Out tape-sorry Shay, it just glides so good over my mistakes : )
Bottom 5:
-I’m with Andrew on the chalk!
-Spiral notebooks
-Small paper clips
-Cheap pencils that never sharpen correctly
-Non-Crayola crayons
I’ve also discovered the Mr. Pen brand. They make good pens but also Bible highlighters!
Thanks for a fun post!
Mix and Match Mama says
Ohhhhhh even though I vehemently disagree about that darn White Out Tape, I love your list!
Cris says
I’m not sure if this is just me, but I hate pencils because they smell weird. Pilot G2s (.38 or .7) for me!
Roya says
My hand writing looks like a first grader if I use a black pen. Hand me a blue pen, and I transform into the best girly, bubble writing possible. I have no idea why. As for white out, I don’t mind the tape, but if I use liquid, it has to be the one with the sponge end, not the brush. I have no personal opinion or vendetta about chalk. 😂
Sheila says
I’m so late to the party because I’m in Hawaii, but as a teacher I just loved this post. I have to say the worst is the small individual pencil sharpeners! It’s not even on the list but kids bring them. And they constantly fall out of their desks, spilling pencil shavings everywhere. It makes me crazy!😵💫
Elizabeth L says
Ugh, school supply shopping in general is not my favorite and my oldest is only in 1st grade! lol. Her school requested so many specific items…like Ticonderoga laddie (fat) pencils that must be sharpened…Couldnt find them anywhere and they dont fit in a regular sharpener! Annoying. Pink pearl erasers only, not generic brands. I feel like our entire list was very specific down to the folders having prongs and what color folders you need and are allowed to bring. Back in the day we got to choose puppy folders, Lisa frank binders, any pencil pouch we wanted…all the things! Not sure if its just our school or if thats normal these days now? We had to bring in dry erase markers, I dont think they even do chalk anymore!
Robyn Beers says
Long time teacher here and parent…
Top 5
1. a new Planner (for home and school)
2. Pilot G-2 pens and FriXion Erasable pens
3. Ticonderoga Pens – any of the fun colors 🙂
4. Post-It Notes
5. Anything Crayola brand…none of the others should exist
Bottom 5
1. Off brand crayons, markers, colored pencils
2. Spiral notebooks
3. Pink erasers
4. Water Bottles…why??? What happened to students drinking out of the water fountain. Water bottles are messy, students play with and they drink out of them like they are a baby bottle. Drives me crazy!
5. Pencils with plastic covering. They do not sharpen!
I love loose leaf paper – wide ruled. And, I use composition books for my students to store their anchor charts in. Once the binder is broke they lay flat. 🙂
I agree with Andrew on new shoes. And, the chalk comment cracked me up. I’m really hoping there isn’t a school still using chalk.
Mix and Match Mama says
Okay water bottles kind of wear me out too. I feel like my house is littered with them. I cannot imagine a classroom!
Brittany says
Teacher here. I hate composition books AND spiral notebooks. Just bring a binder with some paper!
Top five:
5. 1” 3 ring binder-pastel with clear sleeves
4. Paper Mate Ink Joy Pens
3. Mr. Sketch Scented Markers
2. A planner
1. A mechanical pencil-to erase in my planner!
Bottom Five:
5. Colored pencils
4. Broad Point Markers
3. Non sharpened pencils-send in pre sharpened
2. A composition book
1. Zippered Pencil Pouch
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh I love your list!! Why are zippered pencil pouches at the bottom?! I’m so curious!