Our Blog

In the 1990s, there were stress balls. More recently, fidget spinners were all the rage, and now Pop Its are the hot new toy every kid wants for the holidays. What is it about these fidget toys that leave both...

If you’re a homeschooling parent, you want to make sure your child has just as much fun learning at home as they would if they were spending their days in a traditional classroom. One way to do this is by...

Class parties are great incentives to get students to work together for a common goal, but sometimes it’s nice to throw a party just because! Of course, every party needs a theme, and we’ve got you covered there. Here are...

Middle schoolers are tough to please, so finding rewards and incentives that will meet their exacting standards can be tricky. Luckily, we have plenty of cool prizes and school supplies at GEDDES, so even the pickiest kids will find something...

In late August this year, Geddes completed its annual donation of school supplies to one of our long-time local favorite resource centers. The Eastside Family Resource Center supports children, mothers, and families in times of financial hardship and homelessness by...

It’s almost time to welcome kids back to the classroom after summer break. Are you ready? Even when students bring supplies, it’s inevitable that they’ll run out or get lost at some point during the school year, so most teachers...

Somehow it’s already back-to-school time, which means if you’re a preschool teacher, you’re likely scrambling to get your classroom in order. While veteran teachers probably already know exactly what they need every fall, if you’re new to teaching preschoolers, you...

Decades ago, schools used to discipline kids who couldn’t sit still. Luckily, we know better now—many students move their bodies not to be disruptive, but because doing so helps them feel grounded or process new information.  Sensory toys and silent...

If you’re like most teachers, you probably spend the summer planning your classroom for the fall. How will you decorate? What will you need to buy? And, even more importantly, how will you organize everything? A cluttered classroom makes it...

While all teachers want their students to have the internal motivation to excel in the classroom, the reality is that sometimes a little bit of external motivation helps too. That’s where a classroom rewards system comes in. There’s no need...

The end of the school year is quickly approaching, and with the warmer weather and sunny days, it’s no wonder kids are starting to have a bit of trouble focusing in the classroom. One way to perk up your students...

There’s nothing like a reading challenge to get kids excited about picking up a book! Whether they’re competing against each other, themselves, or working together to earn a prize for the whole class, reading challenges are a tried-and-true way to...

There is no excuse for a boring notebook! And there’s also no reason to spend money on a pricey notebook with a design printed on the cover when your kids can use school supplies they already have at home to...

Whether you’re a veteran homeschooler or your kids are doing learning remotely this year, you’re juggling a lot right now. Sometimes you need to give yourself some time to breathe and keep your kids busy on their own. Art projects...

There are a few things every classroom needs. A blackboard and chalk, a pencil sharpener, books to read, a classroom treasure box…   Yes, you heard us right. A classroom treasure box! As so many teachers and schools work to...

Although we’re well-known for our school supplies, prizes for students are another one of our specialities here at GEDDES. If you’re looking for rewards for your students, you want to make sure you’re choosing something they’ll love, which is why...

Teachers go above and beyond for their students every single day. One example of this in action is the many teachers who spend their own money to ensure that their students have the supplies they need to learn. Buying bulk...

There was a time when all pencils were yellow, erasers were rubbery pink rectangles, and your choices for pens were black or blue. These days, school supplies come in a rainbow of colors, emblazoned with popular cartoon characters, and even...

At GEDDES, we’re known for our fun, colorful school supplies, but there’s still something to be said for letting kids decorate and customize their own pens, pencils, and notebooks. It’s a great rainy day activity, for one, and it also...

At GEDDES, we specialize in selling school supplies, and over the years we’ve also built a reputation as the experts when it comes to running school stores. Whether you’re considering starting a store at your school or you already have...

If you’ve been working from home during the pandemic, you’ve probably noticed your motivation flagging over these past few months. At first, it might be external distractions keeping you from devoting your full attention to work, but then it shifts...

There are many reasons to encourage kindness in the classroom. It’s an important strategy for preventing bullying, it fosters connection and belonging, it improves self-esteem, and it reduces stress and depression. If you’re wondering how to promote kindness at school,...

Whether you’re a teacher, school principal, or parent, you might be charged with finding ways to raise funds for your school. While selling candy and wrapping paper are time-honored traditions that go back decades, today we’re going to talk about...

Returning to the classroom this fall has many parents, students, and teachers feeling anxious. Is it safe? What will school look like with so many new precautions in place? Unfortunately, COVID-19 has become a politically-charged issue, and making matters even...

October 25 is the birthday of Pablo Picasso, a day now recognized as National Art Day in the United States. While it’s always fun to celebrate a special day, we think kids should explore the arts every day of the...

Over the past few months, you’ve probably been focused on safety in the classrooms and common areas of your school, but one area that may have fallen to the wayside is your school store. While the rules and guidelines you’ve...

As you can imagine, teachers and students need school supplies more than ever this year, and have less personal funds to get them. With the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of students are learning from home, which means they need their...

Are you in need of school supplies for your classroom? Back to school time can be expensive and teachers are so often under-funded for supplies. Students can’t always afford their own school supplies, so teachers often supplement what they need....

This school year might look a little bit different for your child. Maybe instead of going back to the classroom, they’re sitting at the dining room table and talking to their teacher and classmates over video conferencing or they might...

Looking for easy ways to keep your kids’ minds sharp over the summer? Summer learning loss is a very real phenomenon. Statistics show that school-aged children between 2nd and 9th grade can lose an average of 25%-30% of what they...