Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Pencil Sharpener A few students in the classroom I am observing in get up unnecessarily several time during a lesson to sharpen their pencil. The pencil is not dull nor broken and the student will still get up to sharpen their pencil during instructional time. This distracts the other students and causes the misbehaving student to miss out on learning. The teacher I am observing has tried implementing a strategy where four fully sharpened pencils are given to each student prior to the beginning of class to limit the amount of times students need to use the sharpener. However, even with this new strategy, I witnessed a few students purposely breaking their pencil just so they could get up and sharpen it. What strategies could be used to prevent students from using the pencil sharpener as an excuse to distract themselves during a lesson? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) It sounds as if the teacher has not clarified expectations within the classroom. No student should be permitted to continue this behavior. I am not sure of the age/grade level; however, reminding them that destruction of anyone's property (even their own) within the classroom will not be tolerated. Pencils are an important tool used within the classroom. If the student, or few students, continue to break property with the intent to disturb the classroom, consequences should certainly be attached. Speaking with the students in a teacher-student conference is necessary. I am sure those students parents would not enjoy being contacted in regards to their child being disruptive in class by purposely damaging pencils and/or other property. Loss of privilege's (grade specific) would be something I would strongly consider in this situation.