Parents may not be able to provide all the resources available to children at school. But there are some basic items that should be available to children at home.

The list begins with these basics: crayons, pencils, glue, erasers, tape, dictionary, markers, scissors and writing paper.

Once students are in middle school, additional recommended homework supplies include an atlas, almanac, report folders, thesaurus, stapler, colored pencils, correction fluid, ruler, rubber bands and a hole puncher.

In high school, index cards, a compass, protractor, calculator, paper clips and an encyclopedia set, even an old one, will be needed.

Students should start using an assignment book or planner in middle school, suggests Deanna Evans-Schilling.

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"Some are just natural organizers," she says. "My guess is that two-thirds of students aren't and need to be taught it as a skill."

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