We writers tend to wax eloquent blather on about our binders and assorted writing implements. But as it turns out, our passion for school supplies is just about universal. In fact, according to an article in the Chicago Tribune, we’re all eraser heads.
School supplies are a multi-billion dollar industry; the article points out a few reasons this is so.
- School supply lists give us a guilt-free, relatively inexpensive reason to shop.
- They represent potential and possibilities; at the same time, they evoke a sense of nostalgia.
- We can create, copy, cut and paste just about everything on our computers. Certainly, technology makes our lives easier, but it also makes us yearn for activities and instruments that are multi-sensory and hands-on.
Since this is back-to-school week, I thought it might be fun to take a trip to Staples down Memory Lane. What was on your elementary school supply list? Here are a few things I remember being on mine.
In many ways, school supplies are just as important to a child’s educational experience as parental involvement and a full tummy. Many of us remember how difficult it was to borrow from others or, worse yet, do without. So if you’ve got a little extra cash on hand this fall, would you please consider donating a few items to those who need them?
Do they still sell those “Big Chief” tablets? Been years since I have even thought of them. That is a serious looking lunch box you have. Mine was a plain brown bag. Of course you will have to remember I’m so old that I walked to school 5 miles everyday, up hill both ways with 5 ft of snow on the ground.
Only on EBay and other online stores. I loved mine, did you?
I didn’t actually have a lunch box, either. My own lunch (if I had one) was wrapped in wax paper or brown butcher paper.
awesome yellow peachie folder!!!
Do they even make those any more? If I remember correctly, a PeeChee folder wasn’t cool (nor were you) until you had lots of friends write all over it.
don’t know–is that you as a little girl? adorable!
Thank yew! Yeah, that’s me, when I was about 4 or 5.
The ragamuffin you see this second icon was me, when I was 2.
You should totally post pictures of yourself as a young girl, too. Got any that show you playing in the ocean waves, or maybe building a sandcastle? That’s how I imagine you spent your childhood.
great idea!! i do have some being born in l.a., we’d go to zuma beach in malibu, then a pre-teen in the o.c. (which is why i still say ‘rad’) college in santa cruz…i’d say i have a sea shot or two. =)
Awwwww…Ticonderoga pencils. I have a passion for pencils over pens – and I still offer suspicious looks to anyone who would dare hand me one that isn’t a Ticonderoga. Their’s with 2.5 lead is simply the best ever made.
I prefer pens to pencils, but I have fond memories of my first, fat (#5, was it?) Ticonderoga.
Hey, I was hoping to get your take on the post I put up on Friday. Ever hear of the song, Run on for a Long Time? It’s about that. In case you’re interested/have time:
http://newport2newport.livejournal.com/84017.html?mode=reply
OK – did it…sorry for the delay
No apologies necessary; I was just really curious to hear what you’d say.
(Elvis was, is, will always be The King!)
Oh, my but Big Chief takes me back to third grade.
Oh yea, me too. Even earlier, I think.
At some point, they became politically incorrect. Too bad; I really thought they were cool.
I still remember the smell….
What I really remember is being in grade 1 and using a ruler to make my letters because I wanted them to look perfect. And I used HB pencils, which I called honeybear pencils. I still have a little paint set similar to the one in your picture. I use it for making watercolour washes. One thing they didn’t have when I was little, that I just love now, is coloured paperclips!!
REALLY? You were that intense about your letter formation? I, on the other hand, always had to re-write my papers ’cause the ideas flew out of the end of my pencil faster than my little hands could manage them. Can you say “messy”?
I’ll grant my very large collection of colored paper clips to you in my will.
Yes, I liked making perfect letters and colouring inside the lines. It segued into a love of maps and drafting and drawing pictures in the sand.
I’m so excited about the paper clips
I remember quite a few of these. Fun times.
Are you buying school supplies suitable for your new job, Professor Stephens
GAH!
Please insert a question mark at the end of that last sentence.
*Preview is my friend.*
Re: GAH!
Heck no. Not unless absolutely necessary.
I remember the rubbery smell of the Pink Pearl. And the taste of paste.
Oh yes, me too! I couldn’t find a picture of the library paste we had in school. Do you remember how it had a minty flavor? Wish I knew what it was called; I’d like to include it in my book.
Glad to see you here! How are things going for *you*?!?
Maybe a librarian would know? All I remember is the salty stuff we smeared on construction paper.
I’ve been neglected my LJ. I will post soon.
eraser heads – ha!
I loved getting new crayons. We had the watercolor paints provided in school and the good colors were almost always used up. I think that’s why I love to get new art supplies and office supplies.
I went to a school by an old apartment and donated a ton of my old art supplies once. They were very happy to get them.
Thanks for the donation link!
Remember how the black paint used to bleed into the reds and yellows? Yuck.
I’m really glad that you liked that link. I’m imagining that students and teachers were overjoyed with the gifts you gave them. Art supplies are expensive, and you gave them something else even more valuable: a bit of yourself.
I do remember paints bleeding into each other, but I don’t remember black being the one. Maybe that’s because my current pan watercolors have green in all the yellows
I couldn’t believe how hard it was to give away those art supplies! And it was just basic stuff, like crayons and other supplies. I have some supplies I want to donate now, but I will probably try to find a college or an advanced HS art student, because they are professional supplies. I gave a bunch of paint to my college art program once, and I knew the guy who got it – he was very happy :0)
We’re looking into giving supplies at the younger level too, but we’ll probably use your link for that.
jbmfl
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