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Fairies And Lesson Plans

Control Pencil Chaos Once and For All!

June 12, 2019 by Frogs, Fairies, and Lesson Plans | Leave a Comment

Pencil Management in the Classroom

Like many teachers, I don’t like waste. It always shocked me to see my students going through so many pencils a week, not because they were using them, but because they were losing them! That is, until I started using a killer pencil management method!

You might have tried pencil management methods before, but none compare to what I’m about to teach you! Implementing this pencil management routine in your classroom during the first week of school sets you up for optimal pencil usage for the rest of the school year!

pencil management in the classroom

You will need:

  • 2 containers. One labeled “Sharp Pencils” and one labeled “Used Pencils”
  • 4 sharp pencils per student plus a few extra (about 10 more should do)
  • A heavy duty electric pencil sharpener

1. Label two containers.

Use any two containers you want. I prefer pencil boxes, but little buckets work too.

Label each container to show which one will have the sharp pencils and which one will have the used pencils. You can grab the labels here.

pencil management in the classroom

2. Sharpen Pencils

You will need to sharpen lots and lots of pencils, about 4 per student. This is the only time you’ll have to sharpen so many at a time.

*This is the kind of job you can ask a parent volunteer to do for you.

3. Distribute and Explain

Give 2 sharp pencils to each student, and place the remaining sharp pencils in your pencil box labeled “Sharp Pencils”.

Explain to your students that they will always start their day with two sharp pencils. All they have to do is give you their 2 used pencils and you will hand them their sharp ones. (This is VERY important for this plan to work!)

Let them know, that if they only hand you 1 pencil the next day, they will only receive 1 sharp pencil back. If they don’t have any pencils, they are welcome to look around on the floor for one, dig in their desks, or see if a friend has an extra pencil that they can borrow.

4. Exchange Pencils

The next day, once your students are settled and working, call a few students at a time to come exchange their pencils. Take the used ones and give out sharp ones. If they give one, they take one, if they give two, they take two!

pencil management in the classroom

Take this time to look at each student and to be excited about handing them their sharp pencils. Kids feel your vibes and they internalize that little reward of feeling good when they have their pencils!

When students come up short (they will), be careful not to shame them. Just be casual about suggesting that they look around and join the line when they have a pencil. Ask them what they might do differently to have their pencils the next morning.

After talking to a student who lost pencils and looked around for them, give them a 2nd chance to start fresh with a set of 2 pencils.

5. Pencil Management Maintenance

At the end of the day, grab the used pencils box and sharpen your pencils. (This was my down time when I listened to music on my phone and chilled for a second.)


Something to Ponder

I know you may be thinking that there is no time for this, but this little morning routine takes 5 minutes, it really works,  and it teaches your students important life skills like:

  • How to make eye contact when interacting with someone
  • Saying thank you when given something
  • How to be accountable for their actions (if they didn’t put their pencils away and lost them)
  • How to think about choices and make better ones 
  • Feeling that “feel good” intrinsic reward when they are responsible.
pencil management in the classroom

Feel free to email me at fairiesandlessonplans@gmail.com if you have questions about this process! I’d love to hear from you and brainstorm solutions for any issues you might face when implementing this plan!


For more classroom management tips:

  • Back to School Tips Vol.1
  • A 3-Step Plan for Collecting Supplies
  • 20 Questions to Ask Yourself When Preparing for the 1st Day of School

For Back to School Resources click on these thumbnails:

See it here. 

 

See it here.
Now Also Digital! See it here.
See all of them here. 
See all themes here!

Filed Under: Back to School, Classroom management, Pencil Sharpening

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Hi, I’m Adriana, a meticulous, passionate, creative being, with a love for teaching and learning. I write lessons that are simple and efficient, and make resources that are rigorous and engaging. Please enjoy this collection of ideas that I’ve used successfully over the years.

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Did you know my Math Puzzles are made in 3 differe Did you know my Math Puzzles are made in 3 different levels? You can get them  for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades! 

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When I was burning out during my last years in the When I was burning out during my last years in the classroom, “Motivational Signs” used to make me angry. They felt like a passive-aggressive insult. I was tired, I felt unseen, and a pat on the back did not translate into higher pay, better support, less red tape, etc. 

But today, I went to the Children’s Hospital to interpret for a Brazilian family whose little boy has cancer. I was feeling so intimidated by the experience I was about to have. I felt so little and insignificant before what that family was going through. I was afraid I’d make a mistake, or not help enough. Then I saw these signs up and down the hospital sidewalk. They spoke to me and gave me a wee more courage to do my job. So if you need these today, like I did, these are for you. You matter, you are enough!
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That connection you only have with your pet. ❤️
Georgia curled up in this tiny space in the middle Georgia curled up in this tiny space in the middle of my photo shoot and melted my heart. Work has to stop to give space to unexpected gifts sometimes. 🥰 

#Iteachfirst #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teacherfriends #iteachtoo
Did you know my Math Puzzles are made in 3 differe Did you know my Math Puzzles are made in 3 different levels? You can get them  for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades! 

Make fun Math Centers in February with Math Crossword Puzzles! 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Fairies-And-Lesson-Plans/Category/-9733-2nd-Math-Puzzles-398931

##iteachfirst #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teacherfriends #iteachtoo #iteachsecond #secondgrade #TpT #teacherspayteachersresources
It’s *that* hot! . . #Iteachfirst #firstgrade # It’s *that* hot! 
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#Iteachfirst #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teacherfriends #iteachtoo
When I was burning out during my last years in the When I was burning out during my last years in the classroom, “Motivational Signs” used to make me angry. They felt like a passive-aggressive insult. I was tired, I felt unseen, and a pat on the back did not translate into higher pay, better support, less red tape, etc. 

But today, I went to the Children’s Hospital to interpret for a Brazilian family whose little boy has cancer. I was feeling so intimidated by the experience I was about to have. I felt so little and insignificant before what that family was going through. I was afraid I’d make a mistake, or not help enough. Then I saw these signs up and down the hospital sidewalk. They spoke to me and gave me a wee more courage to do my job. So if you need these today, like I did, these are for you. You matter, you are enough!
#Iteachfirst #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teacherfriends #iteachtoo
Psst! It’s a sale! My entire store will be 20% o Psst! It’s a sale! My entire store will be 20% off on Tuesday, April 6th and Wednesday, April 7th! Use code FORYOU21 for an additional 5% off!

https://tinyurl.com/b2pcsjb5 

#Iteachfirst #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teacherfriends #iteachtoo #teacherspayteachers
That connection you only have with your pet. ❤️
Georgia curled up in this tiny space in the middle Georgia curled up in this tiny space in the middle of my photo shoot and melted my heart. Work has to stop to give space to unexpected gifts sometimes. 🥰 

#Iteachfirst #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teacherfriends #iteachtoo

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