…judging from the pile of almost-used-up pencils we found while cleaning out the bin (Katy would be proud!).
Most of these are so short, it’s nigh onto impossible to sharpen them. We’ll use them up to the best of our ability, of course, but a lot of them are about done. Can you compost pencils? (I assume pencil shavings are compostable.)
Incidentally, I think pencils look sort of cool in black and white (in case you had ever wondered about that).
Xing Er
Wednesday 4th of April 2012
Perhaps look into Pencil Extenders. Here's an example of one. http://www.tigerpens.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Pencil-Extenders.jpg
You can always use an old traditional pencil sharpener if they won't fit in electronic ones anymore. And if that fails, then sharpen them with an X-acto knife. My grandpa used to do that for the very very short pencils.
Barb from Iowa
Thursday 29th of July 2010
The preschool teacher at my school asked my 4th graders to give her their shorts. I have them trade them in for new pencils. The pre -K teacher has some program called "Handwriting Without Tears" that requires short pencils for little fingers. I've never taught that age, but maybe the short ones are more easily manipulated by little people.
Sue
Tuesday 11th of May 2010
I just discovered your blog today and feel like I've met my long lost sister. Anyway, I just read in an organic gardening magazine that pencil shavings are good for keeping insect pests off of your outdoor plants. I believe it said because the wood is made from cedar, a natural repellant. Just sprinkle your pencil shavings in a circle around the plant. I wonder if this would work with whole pencil stubs?
Fox
Friday 22nd of January 2010
When I was in school, it was cool to have a pencil you could hardly write with. I don't know why, it just was.
Amanda
Thursday 21st of January 2010
Those ideas are great. I like the idea of the extender or maybe a homemade one. The black and white picture gave me an idea. (It might be short lived but would work for the younger girls.) Print out the black and white photo 100% and let the girls place the actual pencil on the B&W copy like a puzzle. It isn't very educational but is a good time waster and you could turn it into a competition for time or a treat.