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Backpacks are filling up, lunchboxes are getting restocked, and teachers everywhere are prepping their classrooms with love (and usually their own wallets). Whether you're a student, teacher, parent, homeschool family, or just a fan of crisp new notebooks, this blog is for you.

We’ve rounded up some surprising, nostalgic, and just plain fun back-to-school trivia. See how many you can guess before peeking at the answers.

1. Did you know erasers used to be made of… bread?
Before rubber erasers, people used balled-up bread to erase pencil marks.

2. What percentage of teachers pay out of pocket for classroom supplies?
A) 50%
B) 75%
C) 94%
D) 87%

Answer: C. Over 94% of teachers spend their own money—averaging nearly $500/year.
Start a GiveSendGo campaign for your classroom this school year! 

3. What was the original purpose of the school bell?
A) To keep kids from lingering too long at lunch
B) To sync school hours with factory shifts
C) To scare away birds from crops nearby

Answer: B. In the 19th century, many schools operated in coordination with local factories. The school bell helped mimic factory whistles to regulate time.

4. How many students ride the school bus each day in the U.S.?
A) 26 million
B) 10 million
C) 40 million

Answer: A. About 26 million students ride a yellow bus to school daily.

5. True or False: The average family spends more on back-to-school shopping than they do on Christmas.
Answer: False. But not by much! The average family spends $586 per child on back-to-school needs.

6. What’s the oldest school in the world?
A) University of Bologna
B) Shishi School in China
C) Oxford

Answer: B. Shishi School in Chengdu, China was founded in 194 B.C. That’s a LOT of recesses.

7. Which of these is NOT a real school supply teachers say they buy themselves?
A) Band-Aids
B) Snacks
C) Chairs
D) Rulers

Answer: Trick question. They’ve bought them all.
Teachers shouldn’t have to choose between pencils and snacks. That’s where GiveSendGo campaigns and generous givers come in!

8. What’s one of the most common reasons homeschool families fundraise?
Field trips, curriculum costs, hands-on learning tools, and co-op fees!
If you’re a homeschool parent, your “classroom” deserves support too. Start a campaign for that microscope, museum trip, or new math program.

9. True or False: Crayola crayons were originally made from bee pollen and oil?
Answer: False. Crayola crayons were invented in 1903 and made from paraffin wax and safe industrial pigments—finally, a colorful and non-toxic option for kids.

10. You can start a GiveSendGo campaign in ___ minutes.
Answer: 5. Yep, it’s really that quick! 
 

Start a GiveSendGo This Back-to-School Season

Whether it’s raising funds for:

• A kindergarten teacher who just wants dry-erase markers that work
• A teen who needs help affording lunch
• A homeschool parent curating a Christ-centered curriculum
• A college student’s spring tuition
• A co-op group pooling resources for field trips and hands-on learning

Because the only thing more powerful than a sharpened pencil...is a community that shows up to help and share hope with those who need it most. 

Statistics from the National Education Association (NEA), The New York Times, National Education Policy Center, New York School Bus Contractors Association, and Crayola History.