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 The Problem: Pencil sharpening throughout the school day can lead to major distractions and off-task time. Classroom management skills can be put to the test when student after student suddenly needs to sharpen their pencils. How can you keep pencil sharpening to a minimum while still providing students with effective writing tools? How do you plan ahead for all of the pencils that students will need throughout the day? It is time for a Really Good Solution!
Solution: For non-teachers, this issue sounds almost silly, but every teacher knows that pencil sharpening during lessons can cause quite a distraction. Instead of having students disturb the class, try one of the simple and effective solutions below.
- Pencil Helper – On your classroom’s job list, include a designated Pencil Helper. This person is then responsible for sharpening the pencils in the morning or in the afternoon at the designated clean-up time. Only this helper is allowed to touch the pencil sharpener during the week and only at the times allotted. Students can get a sharpened pencil from the “Sharpened Pencil” cup when they return their used pencils to the “Needs to Be Sharpened” holder. If you have a daily parent helper, this may be a job that you assign to them when students are at a special or at lunch.
- Mechanical Pencils – For some classrooms, mechanical pencils make more sense than pencils that need to be sharpened manually. Students can simply click their pencils for more lead when they need it. For younger elementary grades, the delicate points on the mechanical pencils may make this an unappealing alternative, but for middle school and high school students it is a viable option.
- One-Two-Three – During the morning routine, pencil sharpening can be a task that students need to complete before the first bell. Make students responsible for sharpening three pencils to get through their morning work. Use pencil clips on the side of their desks to hold their back-up pencils. You may want to invest in a second pencil sharpener so that the sharpening process goes more quickly each morning.
- Trade With Me – Instituting a policy of being able to trade with another student is also an option. If a student’s pencil point breaks, he has the option to trade it with another student for a sharpened one. If trading with other students does not work well for your class, consider letting students trade with you. Keep a cup of pencils at the front of the classroom or on a side table where students can go to exchange their broken pencils. If students walking around during a lesson to get pencils becomes a problem, tie a small apron around your waist where you can store a few extra pencils to hand out to students who need them.
- Table Top Pencils – If you students sit at tables or their desks are pushed together in groups, keep a caddy in the center with pencils, scissors, glue sticks, etc. Assign one child from each group to sharpen all of the pencils in the caddy each day. Remember to leave an empty spot in the caddy so that students can put their used pencils in it. Labeling the compartments will also help them keep track of which pencils are where.
How do you solve the problem of pencil sharpening in your classroom? Share your advice with us below!
Solution Sunday Giveaway!
Leave a comment describing how you manage pencil sharpening below before 11:59pm EST on Sunday, January 13, 2013 and be automatically entered to win a Set of 6 Four Compartment Caddies in Primary Colors (pictured above). One random winner will be selected from all valid entries and announced on or before January 16, 2013. The contest is open to all US and Canadian residents who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry. Only one entry per person please. The winner will be contacted by email, so be sure to leave a valid email address with your pencil sharpening management tip. Good luck!
UPDATE: Congratulations to Cynthia, the random winner of the giveaway! Join us next Sunday for another chance to win!
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Commented On January 13th, 2013 10:40 am
I think I probably have the same solution as many others. The sharpened/unsharpened pencil baskets. If a student needs a pencil during class they put the broken pencil in the unsharpened one in the “unsharpened” basket and take one out of the “sharpened” basket. Then at the end of the day it’s a classroom job to sharpen the broken pencils.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 10:41 am
I have 2 baskets set up in my room for pencils. One is full of sharpened pencils and one is kept for dull pencils. I sharpen two pencils for each student before I start my first lesson. If they need a pencil because their 2 break they can trade one of theirs for one of mine. They must put theirs in the dull basket and then they make take one of mine. I will not stop a lesson to sharpen pencils. This way they don’t Even have to raise their hand and ask for a pencil they can just get up and get one.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 10:43 am
When the students get there in the morning, they are required to sharpen 3 pencils. That usually lasts for a while. If one breaks, they have a backup since they are not allowed to sharpen during lesson time. They ARE allowed to sharpen during their work time and get several pencils ready for the rest of the day. Some of my students have mechanical pencils… I both love and hate them!! They are allowed to use them as long as aren’t playing with them all the time. If that happens, they are taken away or sent home.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 10:44 am
Have an “at home” parent helpers (someone who works and can’t come in to the classroom but wants to help out) sharpen pencils at home. Send home on Fridays and return Mondays, or other nights during the week.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 10:47 am
We sharpen our pencils at the end of our day to be ready for the following day. I have a cup of sharpened pencils and a cup for “need to be sharpened” pencils. If a child needs a pencil during the day, He/She simply trades in the unsharpened pencil for a sharpened one. I make sure the sharpened pencils are plenty in supply. If we ever run out of sharpened pencils in the cup, we ask our neighbors to borrow one. First graders are always willing to help their neighbors!
Commented On January 13th, 2013 10:57 am
I have students sharpen 2-3 pencils in the AM, now if they happen to break or whatever, they have the time right after recess to sharpen 1-2. This usually is good for the whole day. Now, I have students who only have 1 pencil. Then, I ask if someone w/ more than 3 could share. It usually helps out greatly. With only having an electric sharpener, the less times it’s used the better b/c it’s loud!
Commented On January 13th, 2013 10:58 am
I let them sharpen their pencils as long as I’m not teaching. If I’m distracted by the sharpening of pencils, I tell them. We’ve all agreed that if one person in the classroom is distracted by something, then probably everyone else is too. We are a family in my classroom and we look out for each other.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 10:58 am
I have to admit, this is an issue for me ! I have tried a bunch of things. I have a strict rule that they can only sharpen pencils before morning announcements. That helps! Also a lot of students have their own hand sharpeners but for some reason everyday at least a couple kids ask in the middle of writing workshop or anything if they can sharpen. Your advice may help me. I may try to get a student helper to sharpen up extra pencils. Thanks!
Commented On January 13th, 2013 10:59 am
I am the only one who can operate the pencil sharpener so they don’t even ask. They trade for a sharp one from the tabletop cup.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 11:00 am
Pencil sharpening is such a huge pet peeve for me! I like to have an extra cup full of sharpened pencils for my students to use, so I assign that as a weekly job for my second graders. The problem I face is the electronic sharpener we use has this high pitched whine it makes when the kids use it. I think it might be time for a new one! I really like the idea of using a caddy at each table.! Thanks.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 11:00 am
I have a “please sharpen me” cup and a “ready to write cup.” Students know to sharpen two pencils in the morning before the bell and they are only allowed to trade dull pencils for the ready to write pencils for the rest of the day. This works pretty well but I think I am also going to add a pencil helper to my classroom jobs to avoid lines at the sharpener.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 11:04 am
For Sharpening Management, I have a designated “Pencil Captain” for the week. This student is excused from Morning Work so that they may complete their job. I also have my student’s numbers written (students get 3 pencils per month from me, all pencils that they bring in though are THEIR responsibility) onto their pencils, so that once their pencil is sharpened, the Pencil Captain may return the pencil to it’s rightful owner. During testing, I make sure to have a pencil case of sharpened pencils, and a handheld sharpener ready. If a student needs to borrow another pencil, I have a can in the front and the back of the room where they can trade off. Hope this helps!
Commented On January 13th, 2013 11:04 am
I had a vice principal who gave me this idea years ago and it still works today. I do “Pencil Pick Up”. I use book pockets and staple them to my board. I know others put magnets on the back and stick them to the teacher’s desk or file cabinet. I put the students magic number on the pocket. (I can use them again this way.) I put a pencil in each pocket. On the pencil I put a flag with the student’s name on it. The flag is just a small label that I fold around the pencil. Each day before leaving, students must put their pencil back or we don’t go home. It is amazing how quickly pencils are found. When the pencil is too little, we exchange for a new one.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 11:06 am
I use a plastic glass (colorful if possible) to hold pencils on each student’s desk. Place a couple of polished stones in the bottom to keep the glass more stable. Write their name on the glass with a permanent marker. Holidays give me an opportunity to give them a new glass and they can take the old one home.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 11:07 am
I have a student assigned to the job of “Pencil Sharpener” each week. This person sharpens all the pencils in the “Unsharpened Pencils” can at the end of the day or beginning of the day (depending on when they have time available). Then when a student needs a sharp pencil, they can just trade out their dull pencil with one from the can.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 11:09 am
I am a first year teacher (just started on January 7th), and pencil sharpening during class is a huge pet peeve of mine. To limit pencil sharpening during class, I try to make sure I have enough pencils already sharpened before class starts. If one of my students needs to sharpen their pencil, they leave it on my desk and get one that is already sharpened. So far my little plan works!
Commented On January 13th, 2013 11:10 am
I have a helper that does it before class starts (or at recess if it is a busy morning).
Commented On January 13th, 2013 11:11 am
My students all have the clear plastic shoeboxes that will actually slide in and out of their desks. They have their own property in their boxes and that includes pencils. It has helped a little bit but some of them forget to sharpen at the end of the day or in the morning when we come in. As a veteran teacher, I have tried everything to control pencil sharpening and haven’t found what works yet. There just has to be an answer for my first grade kiddos and ME. My pencil sharpener went out last week and the rest if history. I am definitely going to try some of the ideas listed above and get them in on the pencil sharpening solution. Thanks Brandi for the GREAT ideas!
Commented On January 13th, 2013 11:19 am
I have table captains sharpen pencils from the caddy at the end of the day. My caddies are really old. I like the 2a sharpener idea. Will buy 1the more.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 11:20 am
My class parents just bought us an electric pencil sharpener!! I sharpen all of the pencils at the end of each day! I teach kindergarten and the kids especially LOVE to use colored pencils – it is difficult for them to get a good point on the manual sharpener. I highly recommend an electric on – however, you should read about the different kinds and invest in a good one – apparently many are expensive and do not last very long!
Commented On January 13th, 2013 11:20 am
I keep a can with sharp and a can of need to be sharpened pencils by the door. Kids can trade them throughout the day.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 11:22 am
I sharpen my students pencils after school so they are ready for the next day. That is not to say that we don’t need to sharpen a few pencils during the day. First graders take to much time sharpening their own pencils.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 11:24 am
As a math teacher, this was a constant struggle. I now only allow students to sharpen their pencils while I’m not speaking. This way, they are using what is ultimately their time to complete independent class work (which is limited) and not interrupting my lesson. They think twice about it now, and generally come to class prepared with several sharpened pencils.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 11:27 am
I haven’t found a solution to this problem, but I love the idea of the Pencil Helper. Having a supply of sharpened pencils students can borrow from throughout the day is far less distracting than the grinding sound of the sharpener.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 11:28 am
I use the sharpen 3 in the morning. If a student goes through all 3 pencils in the morning they trade with me to get a new one. After lunch they sharpen 3 pencils to get through the afternoon. This strategy works with the class I currently have, but I have used the other strategies with other classes.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 11:31 am
I (and the other two third grade teachers I block with) require students to have 2 pencils sharpened (or have mechanical pencils if they choose) for each class. This way, if they break one, they always have a spare. Also, each student has a zippered pencil pouch in their notebook that they take to each class. We make a habit of giving pencils as prizes or for special occasions so students always have pencils available.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 11:31 am
I have a basket of sharpened pencils and they get one of those. I am the only one who uses the pencil sharpener so they don’t even try to use it.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 11:31 am
I have a to be sharpened cup and return to student cup…they put their pencils in the to be sharpened cup at the end of the day and I have them waiting for them in the morning.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 11:49 am
I teach middle school, so students do not have their own desks, due to class rotations. My students can sharpen before the final bell. No sharpening during instruction/ discussion/ whole group time. If necessary, students can sharpen during independent work time. Students are to have at least 3 sharpened pencils in their pencil case ( in binder) at all time. All middle school teachers follow this procedure, and it has helped quite a bit with eliminating class time distractions / interruptions!
Commented On January 13th, 2013 11:49 am
I sharpen pencils first thing in the morning. If a pencil breaks they have to trade me for another pencil. They are not allowed to ask during instruction time. After lunch we sharpen pencils again and that’s it for the day.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 11:58 am
All students have at least 3 pencils in their desk to use. I also have to be sharpened and sharpened pencil cups. I put “special” teacher pencils in the sharpened cup. Students are allowed to shapen pencils before the start to work morning timer goes off (5 minutes while kids are unpacking), during snack time, and after recess before the start to work afternoon timer goes off (5 minutes while kids are putting their recess things away) All other times, if a pencil is needed they can trade their pencil in for a sharpened pencil from the cup. At the end of the day I will sharpen the pencils in the cup. In the morning the students check the cup for sharpened pencils and trade back the “special” pencil for their own sharpened pencil.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 12:01 pm
On the student supply list, I start by having the students bring in 48 pre sharpened wooden pencils. I also purchased a high quality electric pencil sharpener. I told my kids that only adults are allowed to use it to avoid having someone sharpening a pencil with a plastic coating and therefore dulling the blades. We have a “needs sharpened” cup and an “already sharpened” cup so the kids know where to put or pick up their 2 pencils for the day. I like the idea of having the sharpened pencils in caddies at their desks.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 12:02 pm
I sharpen a BUNCH of pencils and put them in a community tub at each table. When they come to me wanting a pencil sharpened, I tell them to find one that IS sharp and I will sharpen THAT one later. No time wasted sharpening pencils during a lesson or activity. (BTW, I teach Kindergarten…and the only sharpener in the room is electric. After a sub let my students sharpen all the pencils in the room to a nub, I had the manual sharpener removed!)
Commented On January 13th, 2013 12:07 pm
I actually have caddies at each of my groups filled with supplies (including pencils). Even though I ask my 5th grade homeroom to sharpen their pencils in the AM, I cannot do that with the other grades that come to my room all day for math. So, I have hand held plastic sharpeners with caps that collect the shavings in the caddies. I also mark my pencils with duct tape to match the caddie. I have a polka-dot caddie, a burger and fries caddie, a monkey caddie, a mustache caddie, a star caddie and and game caddie… all of which are named for the duct tape used to mark each of the supplies in them. I hope this helps someone else out too!
Commented On January 13th, 2013 12:10 pm
I am a preschool teacher, so this isn’t a huge problem for me. But I am one who likes order and organization in the classroom. If a child’s pencil happens to break during seatwork, they know where the extra sharpened pencils are and just trade it in. They love it because it’s a task they can do on their own!
Commented On January 13th, 2013 12:17 pm
Like everyone else I have 2 baskets: sharpened pencils & needs sharpening. Kids trade off as needed during the day. It really has worked for me & my first graders;)
Commented On January 13th, 2013 12:22 pm
I use the sharpened/unsharpened baskets, I have two stations in the classroom so students don’t have to travel by everyone’s desk to get their pencil. I have found that mechanical pencils can be just as much of a distraction to students (loading the lead in and out constantly!!!) so I do not allow them in my room!
Commented On January 13th, 2013 12:40 pm
I have the students sharpen pencils in the morning before class begins. They are allowed to sharpen others times but not when I am teaching. Most of the time this works well.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 1:13 pm
Mine is similar except I have 3 cups. The “please sharpen me” cup, a “pencils to take” cup and a “your pencils” cup. If a student turns in a yellow pencil without their number in permanent marker on it, I assume it’s one of mine and goes in the pencils to take cup, but if it’s got a number, or princesses, or spiderman or whatever, I know it’s one they’ve brought and it can wait for safe pick up from its rightful owner in the your pencils cup. Not only do my kids worry about their pencils, they also worry about the erasers on the other end.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 1:17 pm
For kindergartners, I use a three drawer organizer; the top drawer is labeled as sharpened pencils and has TONS of already sharpened pencils they can get. They put the unsharpened pencil in the drawer below, and I have parent helpers who then sharpen them for us.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 1:29 pm
We have group baskets. It is the job of the Materials Manager from each group to sharpen pencils at the end of the day so that everyone in the group has a sharpened pencil at the beginning of the day. When the pencil breaks, the Materials Manager from that group, gives the person a new pencil. That way there is no getting up during instruction time. As a back up, we have the sharpened pencil basket and the broken pencil basket as well.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 1:38 pm
I have a room mom sharpen once a week. we keep sharpened and unsharpened in 2 different trays and students may replace as needed. It works fine but the erasers are wearing down so my first graders are constantly looking for new pencils, when what they really need is an eraser. I gave them each a pencil top eraser and a pink jumbo eraser so that took care of it!
Commented On January 13th, 2013 1:53 pm
For my 1st graders- we have a caddy in the middle of each table for supplies, then we have pencil baskets for pencils and large erasers. I put about 7 pencils per table with up to only 5 sitting at them. Then I have a bucket for extra sharpened pencils and a “Dead” pencil basket for dull ones. This way when they need a new one they can drop off the old one and get a new one. Then I sharpen all the pencils about 1/2 times a week!
Commented On January 13th, 2013 4:19 pm
Have older students take turns sharpening the pencils (they love this responsibility), and keep a tin of these in the classroom. During the morning, students can get two pencils from this supply. I think it takes too much time to let 1st graders sharpen their own.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 4:21 pm
Students are allowed to have pencil sharpeners in their pencil cases and they can sharpen them when needed. This does have to be done during an off time, however, so it doesn’t interrupt direct instruction time.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 4:22 pm
The older students usually use mechanical pencils so sharpening isn’t so much of a problem, but for those who do use regular pencils, I don’t allow them to just get up and sharpen one if they suddenly need to. They have to quietly borrow one.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 4:24 pm
Students are required to have 4 sharpened pencils in their desk box. This usually helps eliminate any need to sharpen during class.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 5:36 pm
I call my students by tables in the morning to sharpen their pencils right when they come in. If a pencil breaks during the day, I have a backup pencil basket where they can quickly trade their broken pencil for a sharpened one.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 5:58 pm
I have tried several solutions to this tricky problem. In the beginning of the year, I would sharpen the pencils myself and had two containers, one for sharpened and one for unsharpened pencils. The students could then trade and put their unsharpened pencil into the can and take a sharpened one. At this point, however, my sharpener has bit the dust and I am letting the kids sharpen with their hand held sharpeners until I can get the electric one replaced. I never realized that pencil sharpening would be such a HUGE deal!! Oh the things they never tell you about in school!!!
Commented On January 13th, 2013 7:02 pm
I handle pencil sharpening by giving each group a basket with sharpened pencils in it. There is also a “sharpened” and “broken” cup in a central location. If children need a new pencil they can go trade.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 7:02 pm
I have a similiar solution. All students are supposed to keep 2 pencils in their pencil cases. But if one happens to break they are supposed to trade the broken one in and take a new one. However, I do have kids who are constantly losing pencils. I got so sick of this that if they can’t trade one in I tell them to check the floor because these are the kids that are the ones constantly dropping them on the floor. Or I will tell them to ask a friend. But usually they find their pencil because it had fallen on the ground.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 8:35 pm
We have two baskets. One has sharpened pencils and the other one is for students to put their pencils in when they need to be resharpened. It works well.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 8:37 pm
Students are responsible for sharpening their own pencils before school starts. If they have to get a pencil from the teacher during class, then they lose their reward dollars.
Commented On January 13th, 2013 8:39 pm
The students at each large table share a small basket of pencils. They are all sharpened after school.