Virtual school became the norm in 2020, with more kids attending classes via a computer than ever. Many parents are continuing to choose virtual options even as schools go back to in-person learning. The freedom to travel and create your schedule are some of the many benefits of virtual school, but that means you’ll need a virtual school supply list as things get back into the swing. Let’s see what supplies you’ll need for homeschooling or roadschooling.
7 Essential School Supplies for Your Virtual Classes
The back-to-school season usually comes with supply lists and your standard shopping fare. However, virtual classes come with their own set of supply needs. So whether your school provides you with a virtual school supply list or you’re navigating it on your own, we’re here to help.
Headphones or Earbuds
Headphones are invaluable when it comes to a virtual school supply. Lists provided by the school will likely include this necessary purchase. Having headphones or earbuds will help keep your student focused and on track. They are even more critical if you have more than one student doing virtual school simultaneously.
If your student wears headphones for hours each day, ensure the headphones you choose fit properly and are comfortable. Ill-fitting headphones can lead to unnecessary frustration.
A Planner (Digital or Paper)
It can be easy to overlook an assignment or even a test while doing virtual school. Supply lists often will ask students to purchase and utilize a planner. Unless the school has specified otherwise, either a digital or paper planner will do the job.
If keeping things digital is what your student needs, there are many great digital planners. Some students thrive with an old-school paper planner. It may take a little bit of trial and error to see what keeps your child organized, so if one method doesn’t work, change it up until you find a system that works.
A Printer
Virtual school doesn’t mean everything will be strictly digital. There may be times when your student needs to print an item for a project. Running to an office supply store will get old (and expensive) fast. A printer also comes in handy for printing extra practice sheets, especially when it comes to math.
Be sure to choose a printer that will work well with your current computer and network. Printing should be a quick and easy task. Don’t forget to add paper and ink to your virtual school supply list as well.
Traditional School Supplies
Just because your student participates in virtual school doesn’t mean you won’t spend some time walking through those back-to-school aisles. Having some traditional school supplies will help set the tone for learning.
Even though your student won’t be sitting in a classroom, they should be mentally prepared for school just as they would in a traditional setting. Freshly sharpened pencils, the smell of crayons, and fresh notebooks can get you mentally ready for a new school year. Plus, those notebooks will fill quickly. So it’s better to have a steady supply of the essentials.
Cloud Storage
Digital resources take up a lot of space. Saving documents and downloading assignments will eat up computer storage. You could buy several external hard drives, or you could simply make use of cloud storage.
Cloud storage makes it easy to access your content from anywhere by logging into your account. You can even log into it with a friend or family member’s computer should you not be able to access yours. In addition, cloud storage is beneficial if your computer crashes since your data is stored elsewhere.
Desk Organizer
It can be hard to focus in a cluttered workspace. Because it’s essential to have supplies within arms reach, it isn’t feasible to tuck everything away in drawers or cabinets. A good desk organizer makes your supplies easy to see, reach, and store.
Dry Erase Board and Markers
Physically writing practice problems or assignments on a dry erase board can be a fun way to keep kids engaged. Changing things up from time to time can keep the boredom at bay and even help with the learning process. Having a dry erase board and markers can work wonders for distracted students. Jotting down math problems or spelling words are great ways to make use of your dry erase board in your virtual school. Supply lists will often include this item, but this is a great one to have on hand, even if they don’t.
As a bonus, because you can use it repeatedly, it leads to less waste. For example, if you find yourself scrambling to find a scrap piece of paper, a dry erase board and markers can stand-in until you can restock your paper supplies.
Even though virtual school can open some amazing doors, it can take some time to find your groove. However, having a solid stock of supplies can make life a bit easier and learning a bit more fun. So what are your must-have virtual school supplies?
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