The classroom pencil mystery….It is up there with the frustration of trying to find those missing socks! My question is …what happens to the millions of pencils that go astray in classrooms every year?? Teachers all over the world are in the same boat (you know what I am talking about right?)… Students lose pencils daily and we know there is nothing worse than starting a task and then you hear a small voice “I haven’t got a pencil” – it can be a constant interruption to classroom learning. #driveateachercrazy
So I set about to solve the problem and get my students resource ready!
The student tool kit
For junior primary classes a tin in the middle of the desks seems to work and can be topped up regularly. My challenge was with the middle to upper primary classes who often have a pencil case the size of a small caravan but no stationery to begin writing. The student tool kit gives children an opportunity to become independent with their school supplies and as a result ready to start a task. The best part is that the tool kits must stay at school -no more “I left it at home” excuses!
What you will need
- 1 pencil case (I bought mine from k-mart)
- 4 pencils
- eraser
- sharpener
- sticker sheet
- glue stick
(I bought the school supplies out of the classroom budget.)
Why four pencils??
It just stops the chance of children not starting work.. having four eliminates the I lost my pencil cry! #lifeisgood
Keeping track of the pencils
At the end of the week the star of the day or class assistant checks the toolkits and gives out a sticker to go on their sticker chart. Download your Sticker chart -tool kit here. (Any students missing an item get it replaced but don’t get a sticker) Children always start the week with four pencils! #hooray
I put the sticker chart on coloured card and the children put them in their pencil case so we can keep track of those too!
Note:
Consider creating a lost property area for stray items and students can check this area for their lost stationery on a Friday.
If they get 10 stickers at the end of the term = special prize or activity!!
We have great success with this approach and the children enjoy the chance to be the boss of their own pencil!
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