Sometimes I marvel at the fact that, despite all the modern conveniences and advances in technology, no one has yet designed an indestructible pencil.
I'm serious.
And really, after eight months of school this year, I find myself growing weary of handing out new pencils and tracking down lost ones.
It all came to a breaking point a few weeks ago. We were primed and ready for math. I was excited to start the lesson, my students had all of their materials and were ready to learn and then, the inevitable happened...
"I can't find my pencil!"
I turned from the whiteboard and replied that I supposed it was time for THE GREAT PENCIL CHALLENGE (said all dramatically, of course).
"What is The Great Pencil Challenge?!" my fifth graders wanted to know.
I solemnly opened a new (and my last) package of pencils, wrote my students' numbers...
and told them their mission (should they choose to accept it!) was to keep their pencil for an entire week.
Of course this called for a sign...
(so we could keep track of the pencil check-in on Friday).
And you know what? It was perfect! We only lost a couple of pencils that week (an incredible feat, I assure you). My students were so much more aware of their pencils and kept a close eye on them. There were less distractions in finding them and they were prepared for all lessons.
There was also a community of pencil-watchers...they looked out for their classmates' pencils (I adore my class!).
At the check-in on Fridays, we just quickly share out who kept their pencil all week and who might need a new one (due to use or accidental misplacement) and that's that! I do write the names of the students who kept them on the board as "Pencil Honors" (perhaps I need a sign for this too?) but that's as far as we go (I'm not a big prize person).
In case you would like to try this in your classroom, I do have the sign available for free in my store (just click on the preview below)...
Can you share any pencil-managing strategies with us? I would love to hear what works in your room!
(read more)