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Health

What’s inside those backpacks?

Updated 11:08 AM EST, Fri November 6, 2015
Link Copied!
CNN asked dozens of Atlanta students to open up their backpacks and reveal: What, exactly, is in those big, heavy bags? Here's what we found.<br /><br />Clarke, a kindergarten student at KIPP STRIVE Primary, said her favorite subject is "playing outside and learning stuff."
Clarke, kindergarten, 2.2 pounds —
CNN asked dozens of Atlanta students to open up their backpacks and reveal: What, exactly, is in those big, heavy bags? Here's what we found.

Clarke, a kindergarten student at KIPP STRIVE Primary, said her favorite subject is "playing outside and learning stuff."
Jeremy Freeman/Clint Alwahab for CNN
Paris, a kindergarten student at KIPP STRIVE Primary, said she's just like Rarity, one of the My Little Pony characters on her backpack. "She's so fancy," Paris said.
Paris, kindergarten, 1.6 pounds —
Paris, a kindergarten student at KIPP STRIVE Primary, said she's just like Rarity, one of the My Little Pony characters on her backpack. "She's so fancy," Paris said.
Jeremy Freeman/Clint Alwahab for CNN
Jahi, a student at KIPP STRIVE Primary, said he didn't want to carry his crayons anymore. "My mom took care of them because I said it was sooooo heavy," he said.
Jahi, first grade, 2.2 pounds —
Jahi, a student at KIPP STRIVE Primary, said he didn't want to carry his crayons anymore. "My mom took care of them because I said it was sooooo heavy," he said.
Jeremy Freeman/Clint Alwahab for CNN
Ashe, a first-grade student at KIPP STRIVE Primary, said her folder was the most important thing in her backpack.
Ashe, first grade, 3 pounds —
Ashe, a first-grade student at KIPP STRIVE Primary, said her folder was the most important thing in her backpack.
Jeremy Freeman/Clint Alwahab for CNN
Lawrence, a second-grade student at KIPP STRIVE Primary, said he's a huge sports fan, so he most often uses his book from Mike Lupica's "Comeback Kids" series.
Lawrence, second grade, 0.7 pounds —
Lawrence, a second-grade student at KIPP STRIVE Primary, said he's a huge sports fan, so he most often uses his book from Mike Lupica's "Comeback Kids" series.
Jeremy Freeman/Clint Alwahab for CNN
Aniyah, a second-grade student at KIPP STRIVE Primary, said her homework folder is the item she uses most.
Aniyah, second grade, 1.1 pounds —
Aniyah, a second-grade student at KIPP STRIVE Primary, said her homework folder is the item she uses most.
Jeremy Freeman/Clint Alwahab for CNN
Dylan, a third-grade student at Westminster Lower School, said he wants to stop carrying his heavy "Harry Potter" book, but he liked having double-sided tape on hand in case he wants to build something.
Dylan, third grade, 5 pounds —
Dylan, a third-grade student at Westminster Lower School, said he wants to stop carrying his heavy "Harry Potter" book, but he liked having double-sided tape on hand in case he wants to build something.
John Nowak for CNN
Noah, a third-grade student at KIPP STRIVE Primary, said, "It feels like I'm carrying a 100-pound baby, but the stuff comes in really handy." If he could leave anything behind? "Probably one of my flashlights."
Noah, third grade, 8.9 pounds —
Noah, a third-grade student at KIPP STRIVE Primary, said, "It feels like I'm carrying a 100-pound baby, but the stuff comes in really handy." If he could leave anything behind? "Probably one of my flashlights."
Jeremy Freeman/Clint Alwahab for CNN
Brenner, a fourth-grade student at Westminster Lower School, said he didn't want to leave anything from his backpack behind, whether it is his books or his National Geographic cards.
Brenner, fourth grade, 5.6 pounds —
Brenner, a fourth-grade student at Westminster Lower School, said he didn't want to leave anything from his backpack behind, whether it is his books or his National Geographic cards.
John Nowak for CNN
Arav, a fourth-grade student at Westminster Lower School, said he wanted to stop carrying some books because they make him feel like he's falling, but he still needs his agenda and spare headphones.
Arav, fourth grade, 1.5 pounds —
Arav, a fourth-grade student at Westminster Lower School, said he wanted to stop carrying some books because they make him feel like he's falling, but he still needs his agenda and spare headphones.
John Nowak for CNN
Jaia, a fourth-grade student at Westminster Lower School, said she often carries her keychain collection and books, as well as her cello.
Jaia, fourth grade, 11.4 pounds —
Jaia, a fourth-grade student at Westminster Lower School, said she often carries her keychain collection and books, as well as her cello.
John Nowak for CNN
Alexa, a fifth-grade student at Westminster Lower School, said art is her favorite class and it doesn't require her to carry many supplies. She wishes she could stop carrying her physical education clothes, especially while they're working on swimming.
Alexa, fifth grade, 5.5 pounds —
Alexa, a fifth-grade student at Westminster Lower School, said art is her favorite class and it doesn't require her to carry many supplies. She wishes she could stop carrying her physical education clothes, especially while they're working on swimming.
John Nowak for CNN
Caroline, a fifth-grade student at Westminster Lower School, said she uses the book she's reading for fun more than anything else. She'll pull it out every time she has a quiet moment between classes or while she's waiting for her part in chorus.
Caroline, fifth grade, 8.6 pounds —
Caroline, a fifth-grade student at Westminster Lower School, said she uses the book she's reading for fun more than anything else. She'll pull it out every time she has a quiet moment between classes or while she's waiting for her part in chorus.
John Nowak for CNN
Raina, a sixth-grade student at KIPP WAYS Academy, said she wished she could leave her binders behind, but she takes them home so she can study more.<strong> </strong>
Raina, sixth grade, 17.6 pounds —
Raina, a sixth-grade student at KIPP WAYS Academy, said she wished she could leave her binders behind, but she takes them home so she can study more.
Jeremy Freeman/Clint Alwahab for CNN
Jeremiah, a sixth-grade student at KIPP WAYS Academy, said a pencil is the most used item in his backpack, but he still has to carry his homework folder and an extra binder "for emergencies."
Jeremiah, sixth grade, 18.8 pounds —
Jeremiah, a sixth-grade student at KIPP WAYS Academy, said a pencil is the most used item in his backpack, but he still has to carry his homework folder and an extra binder "for emergencies."
Jeremy Freeman/Clint Alwahab for CNN
Aaliyah, a seventh-grade student at KIPP STRIVE Academy, said her SpongeBob SquarePants backpack is "perfectly fine," but she wishes she didn't have to carry her cheer practice clothing.
Aaliyah, seventh grade, 7.1 pounds —
Aaliyah, a seventh-grade student at KIPP STRIVE Academy, said her SpongeBob SquarePants backpack is "perfectly fine," but she wishes she didn't have to carry her cheer practice clothing.
Jeremy Freeman/Clint Alwahab for CNN
Jordan, a seventh-grade student at KIPP Strive Academy, said his backpack was twice its current size when he was in fifth grade. Now, he mostly uses his homework folder and a clipboard so he can work on the bus.
Jordan, seventh grade, 13.4 pounds —
Jordan, a seventh-grade student at KIPP Strive Academy, said his backpack was twice its current size when he was in fifth grade. Now, he mostly uses his homework folder and a clipboard so he can work on the bus.
Jeremy Freeman/Clint Alwahab for CNN
Amber, an eighth-grade student at KIPP STRIVE Academy, said she's not allowed to use her iPad at school, but she can't leave it behind because she uses it "for everything." Still, she has to carry her notebooks and books.
Amber, eighth grade, 11.9 pounds —
Amber, an eighth-grade student at KIPP STRIVE Academy, said she's not allowed to use her iPad at school, but she can't leave it behind because she uses it "for everything." Still, she has to carry her notebooks and books.
Jeremy Freeman/Clint Alwahab for CNN
Oliver, an eighth-grade student at KIPP STRIVE Academy, said his backpack is heavy, "but not to the point where it's ridiculous." Still, several weeks into the school year, he was still carrying most of his class binders instead of using his locker.
Oliver, eighth grade, 8.6 pounds —
Oliver, an eighth-grade student at KIPP STRIVE Academy, said his backpack is heavy, "but not to the point where it's ridiculous." Still, several weeks into the school year, he was still carrying most of his class binders instead of using his locker.
Jeremy Freeman/Clint Alwahab for CNN
Trey, a ninth-grade student at Westminster Upper School, said he wishes he could stop carrying his math book. Most material can be found online, he said.
Trey, ninth grade, 18.1 pounds —
Trey, a ninth-grade student at Westminster Upper School, said he wishes he could stop carrying his math book. Most material can be found online, he said.
John Nowak for CNN
Isabella, a ninth-grade student at Westminster Upper School, said she's gotten used to carrying a heavy backpack, but she would rather use her computer than bulky textbooks.
Isabella, ninth grade, 24 pounds —
Isabella, a ninth-grade student at Westminster Upper School, said she's gotten used to carrying a heavy backpack, but she would rather use her computer than bulky textbooks.
John Nowak for CNN
Alex, a 10th-grade student at Westminster Upper School, said he wishes he could stop carrying his French book, although his teachers have generally tried to cut back on books. Last year, he said, students used an online version.
Alex, 10th grade, 19 pounds —
Alex, a 10th-grade student at Westminster Upper School, said he wishes he could stop carrying his French book, although his teachers have generally tried to cut back on books. Last year, he said, students used an online version.
John Nowak for CNN
Chinara, a 10th-grade student at KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, said chemistry is her favorite class and she wishes she could stop carrying her notecards for studying world history.
Chinara, 10th grade, 8.8 pounds —
Chinara, a 10th-grade student at KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, said chemistry is her favorite class and she wishes she could stop carrying her notecards for studying world history.
Jeremy Freeman/Clint Alwahab for CNN
Meghna, a 10th-grade student at Westminster Upper School, said she purchased an online textbook for her favorite class, chemistry, but most courses don't offer a digital book.
Meghna, 10th grade, 21 pounds —
Meghna, a 10th-grade student at Westminster Upper School, said she purchased an online textbook for her favorite class, chemistry, but most courses don't offer a digital book.
John Nowak for CNN
Brandon, an 11th-grade student at KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, said he uses the binder for his favorite class, honors U.S. history, more than anything in his bag. But it also takes up the most space in his backpack, he said.
Brandon, 11th grade, 12.4 pounds —
Brandon, an 11th-grade student at KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, said he uses the binder for his favorite class, honors U.S. history, more than anything in his bag. But it also takes up the most space in his backpack, he said.
Jeremy Freeman/Clint Alwahab for CNN
Allie, an 11th-grade student at Westminster Upper School, said it's tough to get back to her locker between classes, so she tends to carry everything she might need with her, including her script for the musical "Titanic."
Allie, 11th grade, 23.5 pounds —
Allie, an 11th-grade student at Westminster Upper School, said it's tough to get back to her locker between classes, so she tends to carry everything she might need with her, including her script for the musical "Titanic."
John Nowak for CNN
Elijah, an 11th-grade student at KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, said he never uses his locker. He prefers to keep books for his Advanced Placement and honors courses with him in case he has a few minutes to get some homework done while he's still at school.
Elijah, 11th grade, 30 pounds —
Elijah, an 11th-grade student at KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, said he never uses his locker. He prefers to keep books for his Advanced Placement and honors courses with him in case he has a few minutes to get some homework done while he's still at school.
Jeremy Freeman/Clint Alwahab for CNN
Myles, an 11th-grade student at Westminster Upper School, said he stopped carrying his cello home most days and stopped carrying his computer in order to lighten his load. Still, he has to carry his history book all the time -- there's reading to do every night.
Myles, 11th grade, 17.1 pounds —
Myles, an 11th-grade student at Westminster Upper School, said he stopped carrying his cello home most days and stopped carrying his computer in order to lighten his load. Still, he has to carry his history book all the time -- there's reading to do every night.
John Nowak for CNN
Tyler, an 11th-grade student at Westminster Upper School, said he uses his laptop most often, and he wishes he could stop carrying his history and math books.
Tyler, 11th grade, 19.2 pounds —
Tyler, an 11th-grade student at Westminster Upper School, said he uses his laptop most often, and he wishes he could stop carrying his history and math books.
John Nowak for CNN
Erickie, a 12th-grade student at KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, said math is his favorite subject and his calculus book is probably the item he uses most from his backpack -- but it's also the one he wishes he could stop carrying. "It weighs the most," he said.
Erickie, 12th grade, 19 pounds —
Erickie, a 12th-grade student at KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, said math is his favorite subject and his calculus book is probably the item he uses most from his backpack -- but it's also the one he wishes he could stop carrying. "It weighs the most," he said.
Jeremy Freeman/Clint Alwahab for CNN
Berhan, a 12th-grade student at Westminster Upper School, said she often carries her art board around with her as well (not pictured), as art is one of her favorite classes.
Berhan, 12th grade, 15 pounds —
Berhan, a 12th-grade student at Westminster Upper School, said she often carries her art board around with her as well (not pictured), as art is one of her favorite classes.
John Nowak for CNN
Tyler, a 12th-grade student at Westminster Upper School, said he uses his computer more than anything else in his backpack. He carries less now than he did as a freshman, he said.
Tyler, 12th grade, 13 pounds —
Tyler, a 12th-grade student at Westminster Upper School, said he uses his computer more than anything else in his backpack. He carries less now than he did as a freshman, he said.
John Nowak for CNN
Sherrell, a 12th-grade student at KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, said she loves reading and writing, and she uses her laptop daily to write college essays and look for scholarships. But if she could stop carrying anything? "The whole bookbag," she said.
Sherrell, 12th grade, 10.3 pounds —
Sherrell, a 12th-grade student at KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, said she loves reading and writing, and she uses her laptop daily to write college essays and look for scholarships. But if she could stop carrying anything? "The whole bookbag," she said.
Jeremy Freeman/Clint Alwahab for CNN
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