Sharpening

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2003 : October : 31

Sharpening
By Marianne

I didn't realize this was such a universal problem. I teach 1st grade with mostly lower income students. At the beginning of the year, I collect the supply of pencils and only keep a small supply of them handy. It is part
of the class assistant's responsibility to make sure the pencils in the can are sharpened in the morning and there at least ten available. Since I require that all work is done in pencil, I know points will break or become dull. My procedure is to exchange the pencil quietly when they are working, and not while I am teaching, unless they need the pencil at that time. I do not have

the pencil sharpener accessible to the class nor do I allow hand held pencil sharpeners (they cause too much of a mess and I have students who will sharpen pencils all day to a tiny stub.) Since the students do not have an endless supply, I think they are more careful of how they use them. If a student chooses to break pencils, sharpen them to tiny nubs, or otherwise misuse supplies, I send them home with a note asking the parents to send another package of pencils. This usually only has to happen once. I do allow students to keep their special pencils (birthday, lucky tray day winners, etc.)in their supply box, and those they usually take very good care of.