What is your pencil sharpening policy in the classroom?

Question

IT WILL BE MY FIRST YEAR AS A 2ND GRADE TEACHER SO ALL TIPS ARE APPRECIATED :)

Answer 1

I encourage all my children to sharpen their pencils as they arrive in my classroom.  This works for me because I have students coming in a few at a time over the course of about ten minutes or so before the bell rings.  I also encourage students to sharpen pencils during study hall or perhaps during water/bathroom breaks as we take turns.  I know of an alternative teacher who provides all pencils, always has students volunteer to keep them sharpened, and always has a pencil for a student who needs to have  one.   That might be a nice back-up plan for you... encourage appropriate times to sharpen pencils, but have a package of sharpened pencils handy just in case.  I encourage all my students to have three sharpened pencils ready to go each day.

Answer 2

HotMama knows her stuff!!  I wanted to give her TWO thumbs up!  I teach middle school, not elementary, but I know exactly the kinds of kids she's talking about.  She put everything very well, and gave tons of good reasons for rules (even ones as seemingly simple and "unnecessary" as for pencil sharpener use), that I wish all parents could see.

Depending on your mix of students, you may have to have very stringent guidelines, or maybe not so much.  It's always better to start out firm, though.  I cannot stress that enough to you as a new teacher!  It's hard to go in not trying to be nice and friendly, but you HAVE to let kids know from the very first day that you aren't going to put up with them acting like they don't know how to be in public!  When they're in 2nd grade, yes, they are children, but they have been in school for 2 years, and know how they are to behave.  Demand that they do so.  After they understand that they have to adhere to the rules, and they respect the boundaries you have set up, THEN AND ONLY THEN can you relax a little and loosen up.  Believe me, I made the mistake my first year teaching of not being firm enough, and I paid for it all year!

Good luck, and have fun!

Answer 3

Well we talked about this in one of my education classes....before school starts in the morning....and it maybe a good idea to have some extras pencils in the middle of the table if your in the middle of a busy lesson and you don't want students getting up and interrupting...or right before you start an important lesson

Answer 4

click here =D

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 5

Not while we need to hear each other.  Any other time is fine.

Answer 6

Sharpen 3 in the morning routine and 3 at the after lunch routine was my policy.  Routines are good.

Answer 7

ask the teacher first unless its in math class

Answer 8

I teach 8th grade, so it is a little different, but I just tell my students to take care of that stuff in between classes.  I hate students sharpening pencils while I am teaching.  One of my classes did it so much the grinding of the pencil sharpener got on my nerves so bad I took the pencil sharpener away for a month.  They really appreciated getting it back though.  :)

Answer 9

Although some people would say "common sense" or "when the pencil needs sharpening", those of us who have been in the classroom know that definite procedures are necessary.  So I will attempt to answer your questions, as well as address those who have already answered.

Yes, you need a specific procedure.

Reason 1:  Not all children have good common sense. It's a fact... don't take it personal, mothers.  Just because they would not do something in your presence has no bearing on whether they would do it in a room with 20 of their peers.

Reason 2: Some students will find it enjoyable to get out of their seat, for various reasons, so they will create reasons to do so.  One of these reasons usually involves the pencil sharpener. Therefore, it is necessary to either a) remove this as an option altogether b) create rules about getting up.

Reason 3: Some students (especially younger children like 2nd graders) are distracted by minor opportunities -- the bathroom pass, throwing trash away in the trash can way across the room, sharpening their pencil, etc.  Removing these distractions helps the students not have to make the choice of "work" or "go do something".  As silly as it may sound, if you have taught elementary students, you probably agree.

Reason 4: Some students are just the kind of kids who will spend half their day breaking the pencil lead just so they can go to the pencil sharpener.

Reason 5:  I have spend hundreds of dollars on good electric pencil sharpeners, because they end up breaking.  I never figured out why, until I realized that 20+ students are using the thing 20+ times a day EACH.  No mechanical device can withstand that type of use.

so here is my procedure:  

The sschool will probably provide a pencil sharpener. It might be the old turn/crank ones. Or, it might be an electric.  Either way, you need an electric pencil sharpener, and it needs to be kept in your desk, or in your closet, or somewhere where you have access only.  Sharpen pencils once in the morning, once at lunch (if necessary) and possibly once after school.  You will sharpen all students pencils, and have a box of extras, about 20 or so.  If a student needs a sharper pencil between "sharpeneing" times, they are welcome to trade theirs in for a sharpened one until you sharpen pencils again.  Then, they can get theirs back, and return the one that they got from the box.  

a)your pencil sharpener will last all year....  and gasp!  might even last til next year!

b) there is very little "draw" to get out of your seat.  The pencils in the extra box are nothing cool -- plain ole' yellow pencils.

c) there is no distractions from any pencil sharpener-related drama -- noise, lines, touching people on the way to the sharpener, etc.

Procedures for everything (I do mean everything!!) will 100% make your life easier.  If you don't believe me, start your year off with no procedures in place. You will go batty.  

Practice your procedures.  When students know what to do, when to do it, and what to expect at all times, there is very little need to act out, cut up or misbehave.

Hope that helps

Answer 10

Ask students to sharpen pencils before school, during work time, or if their pencil breaks. Most have mechanical pencils in my room, just do not allow disruptions while you are teaching.

Answer 11

Usually..

"Don't sharpen your pencil while the teacher is speaking."

OR

"Ask permission before you sharpen your pencil, but only ask if a lesson is not being taught."

Answer 12

I do not see how any policy other than 'sharpen the pencil when it needs sharpening' would work.  They are children!

You can have a standard time to use the sharpener before class starts, but realize that it is going to be necessary throughout the day also.  When you have 30 or so students, there are going to be interruptions.

I am quite interested in knowing the consequences for the child who does not adhere to the policy.