What supplies does a high school chemistry class typically need?

Safety goggles (ANSI Z87.1 rated, indirect vent), a scientific calculator that handles logarithms and exponential notation, a dedicated lab notebook or composition book, a binder or folder for returned work, and a ruler. AP Chemistry students also benefit from an AP prep book. Some schools provide goggles and lab aprons; check your school policy before listing them as required purchases.

What type of calculator does chemistry class require?

Most chemistry courses need a scientific calculator with logarithm functions (for pH calculations), exponential notation (for very large and very small numbers in Avogadro's number problems), and a simple memory function. A TI-30XS Multiview or similar model is sufficient. AP Chemistry does not require a graphing calculator, though many students have them. Be specific in your newsletter so families do not overspend on a more expensive model than needed.

Do chemistry students need to buy their own safety goggles?

This varies by school. If students must provide their own, specify the type: ANSI Z87.1 rated, indirect vent (not splash goggles, not simple safety glasses). Chemistry-rated goggles protect against both impact and chemical splash. They are available at hardware stores for $5-15. If the school provides them, note that students are responsible for keeping them clean and returning them.

Why do chemistry students need a composition book rather than a spiral notebook?

Composition books have bound pages that cannot be removed. Lab notebooks need to be complete records of experimental work; removable pages undermine the integrity of the scientific record. Many chemistry teachers and all professional research labs use composition books for this reason. A brief explanation of this in the supply request newsletter converts what might seem like an arbitrary preference into a purposeful requirement.

What tool makes chemistry supply newsletters easy to send?

Daystage lets you format a clean supply list with required and optional categories, explain each item briefly if needed, and send to all families at once. Chemistry teachers who include a photo of what a properly equipped student lab station looks like find that families arrive significantly better prepared than those who receive a text-only list.

Chemistry Teacher Newsletter: Supply Request

Chemistry supply requests have higher stakes than most other subjects because safety equipment is not optional. A student who arrives at a lab session without goggles cannot participate, which affects both their safety and their grade. A clear supply newsletter sent before school starts eliminates this problem entirely and signals to families that your classroom is professionally run from day one.

Safety Supplies Come First

Safety goggles are the most critical supply in chemistry. Your newsletter should state whether students are responsible for providing their own or whether the school provides them, and be specific about the type required if students purchase their own.

If student-provided: "Safety goggles: ANSI Z87.1 rated, indirect vent. These are different from sports goggles or simple safety glasses. They protect against both chemical splash and impact. Available at hardware stores (Home Depot, Lowe's) or online for $5-15. A specific product I recommend: [brand and model]. Please do not buy splash goggles, which fog more heavily and are less comfortable for extended lab wear."

If school-provided: "The school provides safety goggles. Students are responsible for keeping them clean and returning them at the end of the year in working condition. A $15 replacement fee applies to damaged or lost goggles."

Lab aprons follow the same pattern. Note whether the school provides them or whether students supply their own, and what type is required if the latter.

The Calculator Requirement

Calculator requirements cause more supply newsletter confusion in chemistry than any other item. Be exact. "A scientific calculator is required in chemistry class. You need: logarithm functions (LOG and LN keys), scientific notation entry (EE or EXP key), and basic trigonometry functions. A TI-30XS Multiview, Casio FX-300ES, or any similar scientific calculator is sufficient. A graphing calculator is not necessary for chemistry and will not be allowed on all assessments. Students who already have a graphing calculator may use it for practice work but should have a scientific calculator as backup."

The Lab Notebook Question

Dedicated composition books for lab write-ups are standard in well-run chemistry classrooms. Explain why: "A dedicated composition book is required for lab notebooks. Composition books are required (not spiral notebooks) because pages cannot be removed. Lab notebooks are scientific records, and complete records require bound pages. Students should use this notebook only for chemistry and should never remove any pages from it."

Building the Full Supply List

Here is a template supply list section:

"What Your Student Needs for Chemistry: (1) Safety goggles: ANSI Z87.1 rated, indirect vent [or: 'provided by school, see note above']. Required on every lab day, no exceptions. (2) Scientific calculator: TI-30XS or equivalent with LOG, LN, and scientific notation keys. Not a graphing calculator. (3) Dedicated composition book for lab notebooks. Bound pages only, no spiral. Write your student's name and the class period on the cover and the first page. (4) Binder with pockets for returned assessments and handouts. Students need to keep everything until the final exam. (5) Ruler with both metric and standard measurements. Lab graphs require metric measurement."

Optional Supplies

List optional supplies separately and explain each one's purpose. For AP Chemistry: a current edition AP prep book is strongly recommended for exam preparation beginning in February. Sticky notes for textbook annotation. A second colored pen for annotating lab reports and problem sets. Color coding makes error identification significantly faster in graded problem sets.

The Equity Paragraph

Safety goggles are the one supply where an equity gap directly prevents lab participation. Address it specifically: "If purchasing safety goggles is a hardship, please email me before the first lab day. I have a small supply of spare goggles that students may borrow for the year. No student will miss a lab because of a supply issue." This single paragraph ensures that financial constraints do not become safety constraints.

Chemistry Teacher Newsletter: Supply Request Newsletter Guide