Letting students sharpen their own pencils: If you want to have students sharpen their own pencils and avoid noisy interruptions at the same time, you need to determine the following:
- When can students use the pencil sharpener? Some teachers set up specific times for pencil sharpening, such as when students first arrive in the classroom each morning or at the beginning of the period or day. Other teachers allow students to sue the sharpener when they work independently. Sharpening pencils during classroom instruction should not be allowed.
- How many students can use the sharpener at a time? A long line of students invites disruption in the classroom. Two students at a time – one at the sharpener, the other waiting – is a good place to start.
- Have a pencil monitor sharpen all pencils. Many teachers designate one student as the pencil monitor. There are a number of distinct advantages to this, not the least of which is that having a monitor alleviates the problem of students breaking pencil points intentionally so they can get up and go to the sharpener.
- Use the “can” technique. Perhaps the simplest and most effective way of organizing the job of pencil monitor is the “can” technique. A can full of sharpened pencils is kept in a central location in the classroom. Another can sites nearby for dull pencils. Depending on your classroom situation, you may want to place similar sets of pencil cans at each table of students. When a student needs a sharpened pencil, he or she places the dull one in the dull pencils container and takes a sharp one from the sharp pencils container. At the end of the day – or whenever you decide is best – the pencil monitor is responsible for sharpening the dull pencils and placing them in the sharp pencil container. If you choose this method, consider dividing your class into smaller, more manageable groups (designated by a table, corner, or a special name). Assign a pencil monitor for each group to be in charge of sharpening pencils.
Watch for deliberate pencil breakers: Some students will deliberately break pencil points just to have an opportunity to get up and use the pencil sharpener. Keep this in mind if your policy allows students to sharpen their own pencils.
Pass out and collect pencils: If having and keeping an adequate supply of pencils is a problem, pass them out and collect them each day. some teachers allow older students to bring mechanical pencils to class. This alleviates the need to sharpen pencils at all in some cases but might also give another excuse for fixing the lead in these types of pencils instead of working.
Personalize Pencils: Personalizing pencils by placing stickers at the eraser end is especially effective for helping younger students keep track of and take care of their pencils.
Assess Effectiveness of your policy: If the pencil system you have established is working well, tell students how pleased you are with their cooperation. Be specific about the behaviors that are contributing to the success of the system. If the pencil system you have established is not working, ask students what they think needs to be improved. Instead of instituting your own new policy, help students buy into the changes enthusiastically by giving them a role in creating a new policy that works for everyone.