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Sunday, March 25, 2012

If you give a kid a pencil....

He's going to chew and eat it!  WHAT?  Yep, I have several kiddos that I lovingly refer to as my "woodchucks".  We have gone through more pencils this year than I have ever used.  The "To Be Sharpened" bucket is always full of half eaten, otherwise perfectly good pencils.  I can't help but say...."Hey, you woodchucks! Stop chucking that wood!!"  They don't get it but it cracks me up every time.

So I tried a new strategy this week.  On Monday, I gave each child a brand-new sharpened pencil with their name on it.  I told them that if they can show me this pencil on Friday and it has not been chewed or otherwise mauled, I will give them their very own mechanical lead pencil.  Ooooo, aaahhhh....insert Vanna White waving her hand over a beautiful new lead pencil.  I made it very clear that it was their responsibility to keep up with the pencil.  I would not be swayed by tears and excuses.  I was really surprised about how sweet they were about these pencils.  When they would find one, they would make sure it got back to its owner immediately.  This was amazing because other than that they have been grumpy with each other lately.  WE.NEED.SPRING.BREAK!!

Anyhoo...back to the pencils.  All but 5 were able to show me an intact pencil.  Some of my smarties had hidden it so they wouldn't take the chance of losing it.  I'm giving the other 5 another shot this week so hopefully they'll make it.

The Desk Fairy, Deskerella, also made an appearance this week.  Does the Desk Fairy visit your children?  I have an overall neat group this year so she was able to leave Pixie Stix (I know I'm crazy!) for 12 out of 20 kiddos.  The others immediately got those rat's nests cleaned out.  Hee, hee..

Our reading story this week is The Story of a Bluebird out of Harcourt Trophies.  I made a chart to go with our bird study.   I'm going to try to share it.  Hold on...

Find it HERE
Okay, gonna have to find out how you guys make the picture go to Goggle Docs.  The newbie couldn't get it to work.  :-)

Have a great Monday.  I cannot WAIT to see William Levy on Dancing with the Stars tomorrow night.  

Spring Break starts on Friday at 3:15.  I think I can, I think I can....

8 comments:

  1. hahahah!! I have a few "woodchucks" myself! I have one who likes to bite the end of the pencil until the eraser comes out and then my little superstar eats it!! Baffles me! Can't wait to read more, I'm your newest follower! :)

    Casey
    Second Grade Math Maniac Blog
    Teachers Pay Teachers Store

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  2. I love your pencil idea, Crystal! Definitely going to have to try something like that.

    ❀Barbara❀
    Grade ONEderful

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  3. Glad I found you! I'm your newest follower!

    Kimberley
    First in Maine

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  4. Just found your blog! Woodchucks...LOVE it! :)
    Jenn
    A Pirates Life for Us

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  5. Congrats on starting your blog, and on finding Barbara to design. It all looks fabulous! I'm a new follower now.

    Dee
    First Impressions

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  6. Hi your blog is great and I love it....oh the eating pencil situation...it has happened to me a lot this year. :o( Hang in there. My spring break started today - 2 weeks. :o) I'm your newest follower.
    Vicky
    Traditions, Laughter and Happily Ever After

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  7. I just linked to your blog from Grade ONEderful!! She did a fab. job on the design!! I am your newest follower!!

    Michelle

    The 3AM Teacher

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  8. I love your blog design, so cute! And the pencils, oh my, they really are woodchucks. I'm your newest follower! :)

    Lindsey
    Lovin’ First Grade

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment! Hugs!