The Essential
“Home-Work” Station
Experts agree that one of the keys
to success in school is giving kids a quiet, organized place to
study and do homework. Whether your child is in preschool,
elementary or high school, the proper workstation for them to get
organized, concentrate and complete tasks is a key element to
success. Now that school is back in session, parents will want to
have this perfect workstation set up for their kids. The effort will
enhance your child’s school experience, and give him the upper hand
this school year.
Much of the difficulty in setting
up such a workstation, however, is knowing what kinds of things to
buy and where to get them. Talk to your child’s teachers and other
parents with older kids to see what they did to help their children
along the way.
Here are some ideas that will help
make this school year a success.
1. Easy Fold Desk: It’s the perfect
desk for home. Put it together and take it apart with just one
finger. This computer desk is available in ice blue (blue/silver)
and graphite (pewter/silver) color combinations. Put it together
when you need it and take it apart when you are finished, or leave
it out for a permanent desk solution. Priced at $60.
2. 9 x 12 Double-Sided Dry Erase
Board: This double-sided dry erase board is ideal for school or the
home. Hang it up next to your desk – and you have your very own
organizational station. One side is plain white and the other is
lined for easy note taking and writing down to-do lists. With
rounded corners for safety and an Expo fine low-odor marker,
flexible plastic marker clip and 12-creative ways brochure, this $4
item is homework-station-approved.
3. Stapler/Hole Puncher Two-in-One:
Why have two supplies when you can now have just one. This
combination stapler and hole puncher by Ringsun is convenient in its
size and ability. It fits easily in school bags and at-home desks.
Priced at under $5.
4. Battery-Operated Cordless Pencil
Sharpener: Finally a pencil sharpener that works like the electronic
version but can be carried around everywhere. The cordless sharpener
conveniently operates automatically when the pencil is inserted and
stops when the pencil is removed. Offered exclusively at Office
Depot, just $5.50. Batteries sold separately.
5. OTT-LITE Desk Lamp with
VisionSaver Plus Lighting: Perfect for the at-home desk, this lamp
has open and closing shades (with an activating on/off switch), and
OTT-LITE VisionSaver Plus Lighting. This new lighting is perfect for
reading, allowing you to see more clearly and comfortably. The
product was designed specifically for the human eye to help reduce
eye-strain caused by glare and distortion. Here's the best part- its
low-heat and energy efficient bulbs last up to 10,000 hours. $60.
6. Rally Techno-Mesh Chair: This
chair is made of unique techno mesh fabric and is available in
black/gold and navy/light blue. Its molded form cushions are made
for comfort all day long. With one-touch seat adjustment, it’s the
perfect chair for students and teachers. Priced at just $50.
7. Optical Mouse Pad: The Fellowes
Optical Mouse Pads provide superior mouse tracking with fun and
elegant images: tropical storm, beach shore, earth and moon. The
secret lies in the printing method and hard non-reflective surface.
Features a durable, easy-to-clean surface with non-stick backing and
a slim profile 7.5” x 9 3/8” size and priced between $7 and $8.
8. Standard Foot Rest: The ultimate
touch to the homework station, this premium foot rest ($19) has
simple and elegant designs with numerous options and simple,
hands-free, front-to-back tilt adjustment that allows you to
position your feet in the most comfortable position possible.
9. SmartLap Lap Desk: An awesome
solution for kids who are always on the go. For only about $15, the
SmartLap Desk allows them to take their homework anywhere! This
durable plastic lap desk comes in cool shades and has a top that
flips up to hold essential school supplies. Perfect for working in
the car or at their brother’s soccer practice.
Environmentally Friendly “Hottest Products” for Back to School 2005
Kids and parents want to be
environmentally friendly in their back to school purchases, and with
Office Depot’s wide selection of green products, it's hard not to be
this year! Here are Office Depot’s top products for those students
looking out for their environment.
1. Banana Paper 2-Subject: Saving
the rainforest one notebook at a time, this two-subject, 70-sheet
notebook by Roaring Springs is made entirely of recycled paper: 100%
post-consumer and banana fiber paper. It uses original recyclable
die-cut plastic covers and gives 4% of the product’s profits to
Earth University, which supports student leaders from the world's
Tropical Regions. Priced at $5.
2.
Liquid Graphite Pencil:
Exclusive to Office Depot, this liquid graphite pencil eliminates
the need to ever sharpen again! This No. 2 pencil looks and feels
like real wood. Research shows that only 1/3 of the typical pencil
is used. With the liquid graphite pencil, you will use 100% and stop
wasting. Comes in a pack of 3 for under $3.
3. Second Nature Recycled Memo
Pads: These 3” x 5” memo pads by Tops are made of 100% recycled
paper with a minimum 40% post-consumer fiber. The sturdy back
provides support when away from a writing surface. 100 sheets per
pad, priced at $9.
4. Foray Liquid Highlighter:
Exclusive to Office Depot, this $1.40 item is available in an array
of colors including pink, blue, green, yellow, orange and purple. A
pocket clip makes it easy to take this highlighter with you wherever
you go. Best part – it isn’t harmful to the environment!
5. Crayola Watercolor Sets:
Eight-color oval set of paint with brush, by Crayola. The oval set
features eight pans with natural-hair-brush and durable paint tray.
Other sets come in half-pan or whole-pan; certified AP non-toxic.
Priced at under $5.
6. Art Street Glitter Construction
Paper: With glitter construction paper, kids can create great
looking, unique art projects. The glitter is already in the paper!
That means no loose glitter, no glue and no mess. Made of 90%
recycled paper and sized at 9” x 12”. Priced at under $5.
7. Pad and Paper Primary News
Writing Tablets: Kids can now practice writing on tablets made with
50% post-consumer material. The red baseline style conforms to the
Zaner-Bloser handwriting method. For storybook writing up to grade
three, beginning students can practice with pencil on newsprint
sheets. Cost $3.
8. Class Record and Teacher
Planner: At-A-Glance has created a teacher planner and class record
book with 30% post consumer fibers. With double wire bound locked
ends, a soft vinyl cover and pages created specifically for seating
charts and other essential class information, these $11 items are a
teacher’s best purchase!
“Hottest Products” for Teachers for Back to School 2005
Every teacher wants to be prepared
for the new school year, new students and a new classroom. Office
Depot has put together a list of tools that teachers need to
succeed.
1. Corkwork Tile, Foam-Fiesta Board
and Block Dry Erase Board: Crayola interlocking corkwork tiles let
kids, parents and teachers design their own cork boards. Use
multi-packs of the interlocking tiles to cover a wall of the
classroom. The tiles come in fun colors (rainbow, pink, blue,
natural) and various sizes (4” and 8”). The Foam-Fiesta Boards are
great for message and note posting. The 8” x 10” boards come in
blue, green, pink and yellow. The 12 x 8 black dry-erase board is
exciting to draw on and comes with its own pen. These boards range
in price from $4 to $10.
2. Go-Write Dry Erase Sheets: These
dry-erase sheets, rolls and easel pads instantly turn any surface
into a dry-erase marker board. By utilizing an ultra re-positionable
adhesive, GoWrite sheets and rolls apply easily to walls,
refrigerators, lockers, desks, chalkboards and more. Guaranteed to
erase and never leave residue, custom dry-erase to-do lists, charts,
learning aids and message centers can be created. Available in 8 ” x
11” sheets and 8 ” x 11” sheet lines. Priced between $2 and $3.
3. Microsoft Office Student/Teacher
Edition: Fully functional Microsoft Office, designed specifically
for the student and/or teacher. The 2005 edition includes Outlook,
Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Priced at $150.
4. Class Record and Teacher
Planner: At-A-Glance has created a teacher planner and class record
book with 30% post consumer fibers. With double wire bound locked
ends, a soft vinyl cover and pages created specifically for seating
charts and other essential class information, these $11 items are a
teacher’s best purchase!
5.
Sanford Expo Dry-Erase Kit: This
portable, all-in-one 12-marker kit has everything teachers need for
presentations and class. It includes: four fine-point markers, eight
chisel-tip markers, an eight-ounce bottle of spray-on cleaner and
soft-pile eraser. Comes with a hand case for traveling or storing
anywhere. Priced at under $20.
6. Learn to Write with Raised
Ruling Tablet: This tablet by Mead is perfect for every elementary
classroom. Printed and embossed solid lines and printed dotted lines
are ideal for practicing writing and the alphabet in cursive. At
just $3, every child in class should have one!
7.
Johnson & Johnson Safe Travel
First Aid Kit: A must for every classroom and teacher! The sealable
plastic shell holds the most daily used first aid supplies. This
small kit is waterproof and can easily be stored away in a classroom
desk, office, or any other compartment. Just $9.
8. Kleenex Splash n’ Go: The Splash
n’ Go! Moist Wipes for hands and faces come with 35 in each package
and are great to have in every teacher’s classroom desk. Wipes are
alcohol free and contain Aloe and Vitamin E. The package is
re-sealable and convenient to take anywhere or store away. Just
$1.40 for guaranteed cleanliness.
“Tools
not Toys” for Students Everywhere
Here’s a list of the products
geared towards your child’s success in school rather than simply
their entertainment.
1. My First Leap Pad: This best
seller gives kids the skills they need for kindergarten, including
lessons with letters, words, numbers and stories with fascinating
plot twists and turns. My First Leap Pad also offers interactive
learning games, sing-a-longs and word play. Priced at just $30.
2.
Microsoft Age of the Empires II:
The Conquerors Expansion 2.0 edition, this Microsoft computer game
combines fun with strategy and history. The official add-on to the
award-winning best-selling real-time strategy game, “Age of the
Empires II: The Age of Kings,” this software will challenge veterans
and novices to wage war on an epic scale – based on the infamous
conquerors such as Attila the Hun, El Cid and Montezuma. A game both
parent and child will love for just $20.
3. Electronic Flash Magic Flash
Cards: These extremely popular flash card games are perfect for ages
4 and up and 7 and up – with addition/subtraction and
multiplication/division editions. These electronic gadgets are both
entertaining and educational. Play the Learn It mode and shout out
your guesses before you shake it to reveal the correct answer. The
Quiz Time game challenges kids to solve as many equations as
possible in 60 seconds- then a quick flick flashes the answer on the
screen. Under $10!
4. Read Aloud Leap Pad plus
Microphone: LeapFrog’s Read Aloud Leap Pad plus Microphone makes
learning to read fun. Children can put a book in the player, pick up
the magic pen and an adventure. Students can talk into the built-in
microphone to record their voice and hear it played back as part of
the story. Music and sound effects, volume control, headphone jack
and two interactive books are included, all for just $40.
5. Crayola Activity Kits –
Stamping/Rubbing/Stenciling: Help kids learn as they create! Kits
include decorative papers, activity-specific tools and a re-sealable
storage pouch. These Crayola brand stamping, rubbing and stenciling
kits will entertain kids and assist them in reaching their artistic
dreams. Priced at under $7.
6. Microsoft Zoo Tycoon Marine
Mania: Zoo Tycoon Marine Mania is a fun expansion pack that works
with the existing Zoo Tycoon game, enabling players to integrate
more than 20 aquatic animals into their existing zoos (and more
importantly, their minds). This educational and fun software costs
just under $25.
7. Spelling Ace Electronic Spelling
Device: Phonetic spell correction for over 100,000 words and over
500,000 synonyms and antonyms, this gadget will have kids
mesmerized. It includes eight games: anagrams, deduction,
flashcards, hangman, jumble, spelling bee, word blaster and word
builder., all with the goal of educating kids. This device also
includes a calculator, phone list databank and auto shut-off. Priced
at $20.
Information provided courtesy of
Office Depot. All products listed are available at Office Depot
Stores nationwide or online at
www.officedepot.com or at
www.school.com. |
