Whether your child is starting in the first year of Elementary / Primary school (Grundschule) or joining the school at a later year / grade, here is a guide to what you should expect to pack in your child's school bag to prepare them for the Grundschule. Each school is different, so it is good to discuss specifics with them directly, however this should give you a good overview...
School Bag / Satchel (der Schulranzen)
School children in Germany are often expected to carry a large amount of items which means that well constructed and designed school bags are highly recommended (and expected) to protect your child's young backs and shoulders. My post on how to choose your child's school bag can be read here.
Slippers (die Hausschuhe)
Many schools (although not all!) request that children wear slippers whilst in school. Please contact your school to ask if these will needed for your child.
Pencil Case (das Federmäppchen)
For those of you buying a German-style school bag, they often include a pencil case, so make sure to check which bag you are going with before buying a pencil case separately. These pencil cases often come filled with many of the items you need, it is recommended however to double check the quality of those items included and replace anything that won't hold up well. The usual contents you will be expected to have in the pencil case are:
Lunch Box and Drink Flask
If your child will be bringing food and snacks to school, a sturdy lunch box will be needed as well as a light drink flask for break time.
Sports Bag (die Sporttasche)
As with the pencil case, many German school bags come as a set with a sports bag. If you are buying a school bag set, make sure to double check that the inclusive sports bag is actually big enough for what it will need to hold and that is can be easily carried by your child. Sports clothes you will most likely need to purchase for your child includes:
School Exercise Books and Covers (Schulhefte & Unschläge)
What kind of exercise books and protective covers you need (or indeed if you need to provide them) varies greatly from school to school. For this reason, I recommend you contact your school directly to ask.
School Books
Contact your child's school in good time before school starts and enquire as to which school books he / she will need and which you will need to purchase. I also recommend you ask them for advice on where to buy them from.
School children in Germany are often expected to carry a large amount of items which means that well constructed and designed school bags are highly recommended (and expected) to protect your child's young backs and shoulders. My post on how to choose your child's school bag can be read here.
Slippers (die Hausschuhe)
Many schools (although not all!) request that children wear slippers whilst in school. Please contact your school to ask if these will needed for your child.
Pencil Case (das Federmäppchen)
For those of you buying a German-style school bag, they often include a pencil case, so make sure to check which bag you are going with before buying a pencil case separately. These pencil cases often come filled with many of the items you need, it is recommended however to double check the quality of those items included and replace anything that won't hold up well. The usual contents you will be expected to have in the pencil case are:
- pencils (Bleistifte) - Two medium thickness pencils
- Colouring pencils (Buntstifte) - avoid coloured pens & stick to coloured pencils
- Pencil sharpener (Spitzer) - metal, with two different sized holes
- Eraser (Radiergummi)
- Ink Eraser (Tintenkiller)
- Compass (Zirkel)
- Ruler (Lineal) - transparent and strong plastic
Lunch Box and Drink Flask
If your child will be bringing food and snacks to school, a sturdy lunch box will be needed as well as a light drink flask for break time.
Sports Bag (die Sporttasche)
As with the pencil case, many German school bags come as a set with a sports bag. If you are buying a school bag set, make sure to double check that the inclusive sports bag is actually big enough for what it will need to hold and that is can be easily carried by your child. Sports clothes you will most likely need to purchase for your child includes:
- Sports T Shirt and shorts
- Sports long armed top and trousers
- Sports shoes with light soles (for when playing sports indoors). Some schools expect two pairs of sports shoes, one pair for when indoors and another for when outdoors. Please ask your school what they specifically require and if they recommend particular types of shoes.
- Some schools will want you to have swimming clothing for your child, although this often doesn't start until the second or third year of school. Enquire at your school as to whether you will need these if your child is starting the first year.
School Exercise Books and Covers (Schulhefte & Unschläge)
What kind of exercise books and protective covers you need (or indeed if you need to provide them) varies greatly from school to school. For this reason, I recommend you contact your school directly to ask.
School Books
Contact your child's school in good time before school starts and enquire as to which school books he / she will need and which you will need to purchase. I also recommend you ask them for advice on where to buy them from.
Useful Related Posts
Berlin's English / German Bilingual Schools, read here
The Einschulungsuntersuchung Explained, read here
Choosing the Right Bag for Grundschule, read here
Berlin for all the Family can also be found on:
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