Free Upgrades: My pencil management technique


The classroom can never have enough pencils. Every period at least one student doesn't have/can't find/dog ate their pencil. I used to fuss at them but it never really helped the situation. Then one day I overheard a kid talking about how he couldn't wait to upgrade his cell phone and my idea for free upgrades was born. I keep a stash of brand new pencils with perfect erasers. When a student tells me they don't have a pencil, I take a perfect one from my stash. The pencil-less student is momentarily excited, thinking he is going to get a perfect new pencil. But that wouldn't be fair, would it. Instead I tell the class I am offering a free upgrade and I let someone with a shabby pencil with a worn down eraser trade it in for a sparkly new pencil. Then the pencil-less student gets the traded in version. Everyone wins- kids who bring supplies are rewarded with a new pencil and the students have an incentive to bring their pencils because they never know when I will offer an upgrade special. My middle schoolers love it and they often ask if I have any upgrades available.

For more fun ideas, come visit me in my TPT store anytime!

________________________________________________________________________

Pencil Update!  {July 2017} I wanted to share a little more about what this looks like in my classroom ...

I regularly walk around and look for pencils in need of upgrades while students are working and switch them out. I have this straw holder that I made into a pencil holder for the freebie pencils that students have upgraded. Students who come to class without a pencil know to go directly there and get one, and many of them return it at the end of the period. This system works so well for me because I don't have to get involved. If the cup is empty, I will ask if anyone wants to upgrade.


Of course I very highly value building relationships with my students and I know that some times it's better to just give a kid a new pencil, and I do that regularly too. But I think teaching them responsibility is important too, and often a student will bring back a pencil the next day and ask to upgrade it.

I have also only ever attempted this strategy with middle and high school students. A lot of elementary teacher have commented on how this would not work for their students, and I completely agree. I have a son about to start kindergarten and he would forget to put on shoes if I didn't remind him. But pre-teens and teenagers who are used to switching classes regularly and seem to always remember to bring their cell phone every where they go can also be expected to see track of a writing utensil.

27 comments:

  1. Do you accept new(ish) pencils from classmates, when they are trying to help their buddy?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Courtney, I definitely encourage the students to help out each other by sharing pencils too!

      Delete
  2. Do you accept new(ish) pencils from classmates, when they are trying to help their buddy?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love this idea! But most of my kids who bring supplies bring mechanical pencils....not sure how I would do that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sometimes students will want to trade in a mechanical pencil for a brand new ones. Sometimes the super-responsible kids with the really nice mechanical pencils will have an extra one in their bag they want to upgrade too.

      Delete
    2. Great idea! It really is a win-wn!

      Delete
  4. I am 100% using this idea next year! I always give new pencils to the same kids so this will help me so much! Thank you!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's exactly why I came up with this idea! Enjoy :)

      Delete
  5. Brilliant! 36 years of teaching and can't believe I never even thought about this. Thanks for sharing. Kay E.

    ReplyDelete
  6. OMG! that is such a great idea! Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am definitely stealing this idea! Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love this idea! Adding it for this year!

    ReplyDelete
  10. 4 years from retirement, and I just learned a new trick!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am definitely using this next year! Brilliant!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love this idea!! I would ask for sneaker or shoe and by the end return pencil and shoe Your idea is AWESOME!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's a good idea. I have found that students are way less likely to keep the old pencils. I have a cup in the front of the room and a lot of students drop the pencil in there after class.

      Delete
  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Girl, I'm voiceless! Congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love this idea! I will definitely be telling my fellow 6th grade teachers about this one. Create, relevant, and rewards the positive behavior of the kids who remember their supplies.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love, love, love this idea!! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  17. That is an utterly genius idea: thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Prefer this approach: http://www.tolerance.org/blog/give-kid-pencil

    ReplyDelete
  19. This has been such a problem at my school. With my 6th graders, I attached signs to my loaner pencils, such as "Justin Forever", "Bieber Fever" etc. No sixth grader wants to be seen with a Justin Bieber pencil. I can't wait to try your idea!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I am familiar with the "Give the Kid a Pencil' approach. I would be broke it I did that at my high school.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...