I'm back again with another little tidbit I gleaned from Carol Avery's book, "...And With a Light Touch." Writing in our draft/craft books during writer's workshop is such a joyful part of our day as first graders. Along with allowing students to have choice in topics, Carol also suggests that pencils without erasers be used. I know that is not a new concept, but I never hopped on that bandwagon. I will this year! While reading this, my thoughts bring me back to watching one of my kiddos erase an entire page of their own writing. She was not happy with how it was turning out. She then proceeded to write over the top of all her smudges, which made her new thoughts "unreadable." Carol suggests using pencils without erasers "makes it easy for children to learn to line out rather than erase--a procedure that facilitates revision." In my classroom, I try to model my own draft on large chart paper using a marker every day. Of course I can't erase. But I can show the kids how to line out words I don't want, or underline words of which I am unsure. Having the kids do the same in their own draft/craft book will help them have a positive focus on their personal expressions. It will also allow for observing/tracking the whole editing/revising piece. Working on a draft should not be scary. It should be joyfilled!
So, now the problem with "pencils without erasers" exists. Some teachers I know use golf pencils, others use pens, and still others special order them. Just pushing off the eraser can be fine, but then you have that sharp metal end that will undoubtedly get chewed. Youch! My solution to this problem was inspired by the Expo dry erase markers that come with a little fuzzy on the end to erase. I know you've seen them. Well, I got busy with that same idea and in about 10 minutes I had a class set of "Eye Spy" pencils. I simply removed the eraser, hot glued a little fuzzy in its place and then added a little wiggly eye. Voila!
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| Inspiration |
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| Our "Eye Spy" pencils ready to go! |
I can't wait to help my kids be more confident writers!! I'd love to hear from you about your thoughts on using pencils without erasers.
As always, thanks for stopping by! Have a great rest of the week!! I am off to the Rangers game tonight with my three favorite guys!!
Joyfully!
Nancy
Super cute. I really like that idea. I have already passed it on to my teammate!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Em
Curious Firsties
Love the idea!
ReplyDeleteI actually have orange,purple and green eyeballs left over from making Focus Sticks for writing...maybe I will use the rest of them on this idea.
Thanks.
Debbie
What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the wonderful tips and units you share. You are obviously one AMAZING teacher! And so generous with your colleagues! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I am a religious follower of you and your blog!
ReplyDeleteLove this idea! I have struggled with erase or cross out for awhile. I ,too, have seen my students erase half of their story and start again. Sometimes they will erase over and over. I don't have them write a final draft to publish just edit and revise.(Lucy Calkins style) I don't want them to think writing is tedious. How do you have them publish?
ReplyDeleteCynthia
Mrs olsens moose tracks
Love your idea! Very creative! I duct tape silk flowers to the tops of my pens. Then I house them in tin pails at my desk. This brightens up my desk!
ReplyDeleteNajda
najda_2000@yahoo.com
hi nancy, thanks for the cute idea (again :) I was wondering if you are planning to use the pom-pom pencils ONLY during writing workshop time? or all the time, throughout the day? Thanks for your generous sharing! Blessings, Kelly Turk
ReplyDeleteHaving the kids do the same in their own draft/craft book will help them have a positive focus on their personal expressions. It will also allow for observing/tracking the whole editing/revising piece.
ReplyDeleteLOL Coaching
Cheap LOL Coaching
Having the kids do the same in their own draft/craft book will help them have a positive focus on their personal expressions. It will also allow for observing/tracking the whole editing/revising piece. Working on a draft should not be scary. It should be joyfilled! lol boost review
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Hi! I love this idea of taking off the erasers on pencils. We do daily sentence editing with my class and this will be a great way to help them learn the correct ways to edit.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Kelli Peterson, Bemidji MN
Having the kids do the same in their own draft/craft book will help them have a positive focus on their personal expressions. It will also allow for observing/tracking the whole editing/revising piece.
ReplyDeleteLOL Coaching
WOW Gold Kaufen
World of Warcraft Gold
What a great idea! Silly question maybe but will you all toss the fuzzy pom pon out with the pencil or try to re-use? Just curious.
ReplyDeleteHappy Teaching!
~Nicole
I'd love to hear what you are telling them about the "eye". I am absolutely wanting to do this for writer's workshop, just trying to figure the purpose of the eye.
ReplyDeleteThis ideas goes right along with the Writer's Eyes bulletin board I found on another site. Can't wait to make these pencils for my writing center. Thank you
ReplyDeleteI teach K, and I do use pencils without erasers. It removes the possibility of erasing our entire writing time and tearing the paper, which leads to frustration and tears. I love not using erasers.
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