Desert Strawberry Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 We just moved from Louisiana to Arizona with only what we could pack in our cars. I shipped one box of books. We brought one small box of durable school goods like a pencil sharpener, hole punch, food coloring to make paints, a few pens and pencils. I'm contemplating school supply shopping. I'm thinking a box of paper, a few composition books, a large bottle of glue, some scissors, and a box of crayons. And that's it. What would your most minimalist list look like? Eta: I forgot paint brushes. It's got left behind. And sharpies. And a school bell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Congrats on the move and the new user name! I'm incapable of minimalism, but colored pencils definitely make my list. My children like them better than crayons, at least the older ones. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
three4me Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 Yes, I'd definitely choose colored pencils over crayons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Strawberry Posted August 3, 2015 Author Share Posted August 3, 2015 My kids prefer crayons over colored pencils. Last year I tossed the crayons and switched over completely to pencils. No one was happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnMomof7 Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 Get Melissa and Doug crayons. They are indestructible. Unlike Crayola. Just found them this year. One set of 24 a few months ago and NO broken crayons! You don't want to know how many we went through before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Strawberry Posted August 3, 2015 Author Share Posted August 3, 2015 Get Melissa and Doug crayons. They are indestructible. Unlike Crayola. Just found them this year. One set of 24 a few months ago and NO broken crayons! You don't want to know how many we went through before. I plan to. We had some years ago. They lasted for something like 5 years. Even then, I think they get lost before they wrote down or broke. I just found a place in town that sells them. I will probably pick up a cheap sale box, too, and something nice for art, Stockmar or Silkies. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenneinCA Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 For us the list would be: mechanical pencils, spiral notebooks and white board markers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 I'm going very minimalist this year too, but prong folders (the kind that hold three hole punched paper) are an absolute necessity, both for .pdf printouts and for 7yo ds's "book" creation. I'm very glad that we made the switch from a whiteboard to a blackboard last year: colored chalk is dirt cheap compared to markers and much less messy clutter, both in the Flint household and in the landfills. Folders, chalk, pencils, printer ink, 3X5s, and paper are about it this year. ds is too little to need composition books yet. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purduemeche Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 Chalk board Chalk Crayons Colored pencils Wood no 2 pencils Sharpener Spiral notebooks Printer paper White drawing paper Printer/copier/scanner plus ink Manila folders and banker boxes to hold anything not in the notebooks Laptop for mom and dad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 Minimalist? Ipad & stylus. PDFs can be worked on there, books can be downloaded and read. White board & dry erase marker - for working math, handwriting, etc. Mechanical pencils, pencil sharpener, colored pencils, rubbing crayons. Blank books, unlined. Ruler & glue That's it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 Whiteboard and dry erase markers scissors and tape (because he can keep busy for a long time with them!) snacks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Strawberry Posted August 3, 2015 Author Share Posted August 3, 2015 No printer for us. Our last one gave us so much trouble, and the ink was so expensive. We ended up not using it most of the time. We didn't have a printer for a few years. I thought we would use it so much. But it never had ink when I needed it, all of my printing projects were huge and costly, used up all the ink...repeat, repeat, repeat. It's cheaper and less stressful to hire out my printing than to maintain a printer. What do y'all use your chalk board and white board for? We don't have them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 What do y'all use your chalk board and white board for? We don't have them. We use them instead of scratch paper. We have 3: with lines, without, and dual. The chalkboard is handy for teaching children how to write since it slows down the motion and gives them more control. The whiteboards are for taking notes, doing math, diagramming..anything that won't be kept for long term. I'll also say that we don't have large boards. Ours are roughly the size of a piece of paper, maybe a little larger. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 After we bought our durable items (hole punch, dictionary, re-usable binders, rulers, etc...) several years ago, our list includes lined paper, printer paper, erasers, pencils (colored and graphite) and pens, and pocket folders. That's about it. I don't have little kids and we aren't crafty, so our supply of glue/crayons/paints and such lasts forever and doesn't really need replacing on a regular basis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 No crayons or colored pencils, for us minimal would be... pencils erasers comp books scissors glue sticks sharpener plain paper or sketch pads Papermate Flair colored pens... we go through these like mad ETA: Oh, and small white boards and markers. We use them all the time - scratch paper for math, writing the clue words for dictation, jotting down ideas, etc. etc. They get used every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 We've been living in boxes since Feb/March as we've moved once and anticipate another move soon. I've kept out 2 pairs of scissors, a glue stick, colored pencils, pencils, sharpener, a ruler, and pens. We had watercolors & watercolor paper for a while, but they've been used up since June and not replaced. I use my Brother printer regularly, so printer + paper + toner are must-haves. I miss having access to my pro click and laminator, but those are things I need and not an ultra-minimalist need. I kept whiteboards out, but we haven't been using them. Oldest is far enough along in math that problems take half a page--much more room than can fit on a whiteboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Btervet Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 I try to keep it simple. I'm not doing a very good job at it, but am trying. DS wanted a 'school book' that he could work on independently this year so I've been making a weekly book with my proclick and printouts for spelling, memory work, math review, geography, grammar, logic puzzles, science review, and writing prompts. We still do some math, science, Latin, and history separately, but this has simplified our day a good bit. Dry Erase Markers. 2 packs/year. We have glass top desks so use these for almost everything that doesn't need to be permanent. Case of printer paper. Toner as needed for the laser printer. 2 pairs of scissors/year. 1 pack of glue sticks/year. 2 packs of crayola twistable crayons. These last forever since they don't break, and it's easy to use up all of the crayon. 2x 24 pack of proclick spines. Things I already have that makes this system work: proclick enough pencils for a lifetime enough pens for 3-4 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriedClams Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 I think it totally depends on your kid's ages. My kids are older. This year we needed expensive graphing calculators, real geometry stuff, notebooks (x100 it seems), reinforced notebook paper (I HATE the other kind), dividers (x100 for the notebooks), mechanical pencils (x1000, seriously), printer paper, ink. The only fun stuff is for an online art class. Otherwise, it's the basics for us. When the kids were little - I was a nut. It was all a go in my house except glitter. Otherwise we had it all and it was all fair game. Paint, markers, glue, stickers, crayons, etc... This likely explains why my 14 year old made me some glasses out of laminating scraps last night, "You know, becuase you're older mom and you might need them for math." Thanks, kid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverMoon Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 (edited) . Edited September 23, 2023 by SilverMoon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stm4him Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 We have bought so much in the past that I don't need much. Magic House pencils and refills Composition books of various kinds Papermate flair pens Red pens and blue pens Markers Watercolor paints Rulers Gluesticks Scotch tape A compass Pack of highlighters Printer paper and cardstock, ink, and toner Black sharpies in various sizes Some of these we go through regularly and others just need replacing once a year. I usually buy stuff at the dollar store if possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stm4him Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 What are Pink Pearls? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverMoon Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 What are Pink Pearls? The classic pink eraser. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FO4UR Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 Compass & protractor for big kids' math, letter magnets for the younger ones learning to read & spell...and I don't think I'd add much else to your list until the dust settles. That must be difficult moving with that many children with only what you can fit into the vehicles. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Strawberry Posted August 4, 2015 Author Share Posted August 4, 2015 We have a compass, but no protractor. It really want difficult at all. There were a few things we forgot or had to leave behind, but for the most part, it's fine. We are all much happier here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FO4UR Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 We have a compass, but no protractor. It really want difficult at all. There were a few things we forgot or had to leave behind, but for the most part, it's fine. We are all much happier here. That's great! I'm glad for you! I hope your new home is a happy one! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 Thinks are critically minimal here right now. And copying a phrase from Angelina Jolie, "It's polarizing and peaceful". Pilot Precise V5 pens. The ink doesn't smear when colored over with crayons, and they are widely available. Crayola 24 pack crayons. We don't use them to try and color in small areas. We use them like a watercolor wash, along with the V5 pens. Mechanical pencils Stick and block erasers Everyone has a moleskine notebook, that holds very long lasting notes, and then lots of folded up pieces of computer or graph paper tucked inside, of things that don't need to be kept long. Clipboards Staples brand page flags in neon colors. All art lessons are chosen to be adaptable to pen and crayon on computer paper. I often glean from beginner watercolor and pastel books, as well as drawing books written for pencil and pen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 The moleskine cahier that are tan and come in packs of 3. http://www.amazon.com/Moleskine-Cahier-Journal-Large-Plain/dp/8883705009/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1438717119&sr=8-13&keywords=moleskine+notebook+cahier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Strawberry Posted August 4, 2015 Author Share Posted August 4, 2015 I think i need a planner, but my brain is mush. I don't want to print one and I can't even think of what I need in it. I can't even begin to guess where I would look for one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 I think i need a planner, but my brain is mush. I don't want to print one and I can't even think of what I need in it. I can't even begin to guess where I would look for one. http://www.donnayoung.org/forms/ I don't print mine any more, but I like the columns for the days of the week and the rows for the subjects/activities/blocks of "stuff" so I just click on "insert table" and make my own on LibreOffice. Abiword is really all you need to do that and it loads much faster: http://www.abiword.org/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 I adore this planner idea that uses nothing but a large piece of folded art paper. If you don't have a big piece of paper, tape together 4 pieces of computer paper. Whenever my life takes a new turn I start one of these new planners. It has worked for every change and tumble that has come my way the past few years. It grounds me to use the same method no matter the new crisis. This process helps me trust things are going to be okay. I remember one planner was the blank backs of multicolored notices, management had shoved under my door, about everything from dog poop, to hurricane plans, to the shuttle schedule to the grocery store. I taped them together with brown packing tape. If the crisis is new, and it's really to early to plan, I look up and write down the moon phases, just so I have SOMETHING to plan. :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allearia Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Pilot frixion erasable pens and highlighters - The only thing is that they go through ink like crazy so I buy tons of refills as well. Printer paper Printer Ink Planners Quad composition notebooks for math and science I will probably buy some extra notebooks but don't really need them. We also don't do binders because I use my proclick on everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 I like the smaller whiteboards for working math problems instead of scratch paper, and for writing the artist/composer name, date, title, etc. for my children to copy onto their notebooking sheets, rather than me saying it all out for them. I have one very non-auditory learner who is highly visual, so the less said out loud, the better for this child. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stm4him Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 I so wanted to like the Frixion pens but the stores don't have the refills so I would have to order online all the time. Plus they are pretty expensive.... Hunter, now I want to see your art and art lessons.......I can't quite picture it but it sounds really interesting. Can twistables be used? My kids always break the regular kind..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stm4him Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 I wish Moleskins came with one side ruled and the other side blank. Or one side graph paper and one side ruled. I know Mead sells composition books like this. Does anyone know of another brand that is sewn and has one half or one side blank and the other lined? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 We have used twistables here in the past. But they wear out pretty quickly, and leave behind a lot of plastic as trash. Also, my students get locked up a lot. :lol: I'm focusing on the type of crayons allowed on psyche floors and can be purchased at the prison canteen. I've been keeping my eye open for art lessons that use just pen and crayon for years. It's been a gradual collection. The point is not that any lesson is so spectacular, but more that students are able to self-soothe and entertain themselves with the least messy/dangerous, most portable, and easily acquired materials possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Using Color in Your Art is written for paints, but most of the lessons are easily adapted to crayon. http://www.amazon.com/Using-Color-Your-Art-Williamson/dp/0824967542 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 The Moleskine notebooks I linked to are very lightweight. They are best for homeless students. They are pricier than many bulkier options. Sometimes we use Staples poly cover composition notebooks. Students with the Moleskine, with papers tucked inside keep them for a long time though, and have access to the info contained in them long term. Minimalism is all about adapting to unique environments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Strawberry Posted August 6, 2015 Author Share Posted August 6, 2015 The gilded paper is exactly what I need, with a bullet style journal. That should be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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