“I can’t find my pencil! I lost my pencil! My pencil is broken! Someone took it!...etc”
The litany of the mysterious disappearing pencil is endless. I haven’t been in a classroom yet where there wasn’t at least one person standing at my desk begging me so solve his/her shortage of pencils problem.
Some classrooms have a stash of new or used pencils for loan. Some substitutes bring extra pens and pencils to lend for such occasions.
Even if the teacher has a stash for loan, I don’t hand them out for free.
Kid: Can I borrow a pencil?
Me: Sure, ask one of the other kids to lend you one.
Kid: No one else has any. Can I borrow one of the teachers’ pencils?
Me: Sure, give me one of your shoes.
Me: That’s the deal, a shoe for a pencil. When I get the pencil back, you get your shoe back.
That’s how I ended up with four, single shoes under my desk today in 4th grade. There would have been more but the others decide to redouble their efforts in locating a writing implement in the dark recesses of their own desk or the kindness of a kid with a surplus of leadware.
Now before you think I’m mean (…or brilliant depending on your viewpoint), let me explain that this idea isn’t original. Some teachers have hoards of new and used pencils that kids can use without limit. Some schools have pencil vending machines where you can buy one for a quarter. Some teachers use pencils as bribes for correct behavior and rewards.
A 6th grade teacher I worked for a couple of years ago explained that she felt the kids were taking advantage of her generosity with the new pencils so she started “lending” them out only in exchange for one of their shoes. She noticed right away a decrease in requests. A side affect is that it also cuts down on unnecessary interruptions during class time.
Obviously, I believe this woman is brilliant!
4th grade bonus joke of the day:
Q: What do you call cheese that isn’t yours?
A: Nacho Cheese!