Technology does wonders, but at times basic tools are vital. Sharp pencils will never be obsolete, and post-it notes were invented by a genius!
I teach as part of a multiage program in a diverse school with about a 33% poverty rate.
We have five classes: three that are first through third grade, and two fourth/fifth. We really work to develop community, and to have consistent expectations for behavior and character qualities across the classrooms. One thing we all have in common is that our pencil sharpeners consistently fail us after just a few months, and we all run out of certain supplies by the end of the year.
My Project
Our pencil sharpeners get hard use. Imagine 25 students using one sharpener numerous times a day! We have tried electric pencil sharpeners, manual sharpeners that are not connected to the wall, and various brands of wall mounted sharpeners. The only one that has lasted for any length of time is the brand we are requesting here. We are ordering enough for six rooms: our five classrooms plus an extra rooms that we use for small group work and science.
In addition, one thing we do to build community is share all materials. Those who have the ability to provide supplies bring them. Some students are unable to bring supplies, and so we consistently run out of pencils and post-it notes by the end of the year. We are ordering enough pencils and post-its to carry us through June. Post-its are used in many ways, for example during reading to record thinking and in science as temporary labels or to sort concepts.
Students need quality tools to do their work.
Quality pencil sharpeners will ensure that students are able to use sharp pencils to write, which will enable them to do their best writing. Having post-its available will mean students can have them at every table rather than competing for limited resources. Not having to use stubs without erasers at the end of the year will also help them close out the year with sharper learning!
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Cook and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.