The Pencil Saga Continues
September 28, 2010
The newest idea for making sure the pencil makes it to his first period class with him.
My oldest sons and I could not stop laughing this morning. They had “helpful” suggestions for what he should say when he walked into class. With a pencil taped to his chest.
Things like rummaging through his stuff pretending he couldn’t find his pencil to dramatically ripping the pencil off of his shirt while singing the chorus from Handel’s Hallelujah.
Posted by Chris @ 11:49 am
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tape wins!
September 28th, 2010 at 11:58 amPretty funny to have the pencil taped to the shirt saying Some Dream Others Rise…
September 28th, 2010 at 12:14 pmI suppose you’ve already tried a little pencil box for his book bag? His teacher has no sense of humor. It would seem like he’d get a “smiley face” for his efforts, for goodness sake!
September 28th, 2010 at 12:33 pmMy son would want to braid it into his hair. His hair is no longer that long but as he is now a senior, I could imagine what else he would do with a teacher like that…
September 28th, 2010 at 1:05 pmYou’re going to get called to the principal’s office, missy!
September 28th, 2010 at 1:10 pmThe tape matches his shirt again…bravo!
As a teacher, here are some strategies I’ve used in the past w/ success:
-A list of supplies taped in his locker. He needs to get in the habit of checking it before he closes his locker. Or a list of supplies taped on each binder/folder - to the front.
-I’ve had a few kids leave pencils in my class, but the humorless teacher would have to agree to this.
-They have those magnetic containers that can stick inside lockers. Put one in his locker and fill it completely with pencils. Tell him unless he’s going to PE, he needs to have a pencil in his hand when he closes his locker.
-Sometimes track sheets work well - somewhat along the lines of Miles’ stars. Kids are never too old for rewards.
-Also, a lot of my 7th graders carry around pencil cases, filled with pencils and pens, but then he’d have to keep up with that, too.
Good luck with the pencil saga!!
September 28th, 2010 at 1:33 pmI love the tape idea! I can’t belive that teacher isn’t cracking up. At least you are TRYING to do what she asked. Although in a fun sort of way. Maybe if he finds it amusing he will start remembering to bring it. I’d suggest a back pack but he would most like forget that as well!
I love all of your kids. They are all an adventure unto themselves!
Best of luck blondie!
September 28th, 2010 at 1:51 pmThat is awesome. I love it. My husband who is a teacher would probably die laughing. He would probably say what ever works for you to remember a pencil.
September 28th, 2010 at 2:00 pmI was a teacher in a previous life and I just have to say that the folks over at your son’s school must be sticks in the mud not to get the brilliance in this solution. I think it’s awesome and I laugh a hearty laugh with all of you.
September 28th, 2010 at 3:51 pmLove it!
September 28th, 2010 at 4:38 pmOh the pencil saga… it just makes me laugh! I was just like that at that age… I wish I had had older brothers who could laugh about it! Can’t wait to hear the feedback from Ms. Crankypants the homeroom teacher with no sense of humor.
September 28th, 2010 at 5:32 pmThe little kid stage is fun, when they are so excited about new things and say cute stuff. But I have to say, I totally enjoy the coming-into-adulthood stage. They have such a new view on the world, and you can relate better with them, and have more friendship moments and less parent moments. I’m glad you are getting to experience this with your big kids too.
September 28th, 2010 at 5:37 pmIf THAT doesn’t make the teacher burst into laughter, nothing will!
September 28th, 2010 at 7:06 pmPlease, please, PLEASE tell me that his teacher at least SMILED at this. Otherwise, I think there’s no hope for her.
September 28th, 2010 at 7:16 pmHallelujah, hallelujah! So funny. Of course, I thought the pencil bracelet was a great idea.
September 28th, 2010 at 7:29 pmJust wanted to share an email that I received from my 12-year-old’s Science teacher:
“Mrs. Dxxxx,
I wanted to let you know that Sxxxx has been improving in his work, but another issue has arose. He continues to come to class unprepared. For example, today he came without anything to write with. This is an issue because he will not ask me for a writing utensil as a last option, he just does not do his work. Is there a way you can talk to him about this behavior? He knows my classroom expectations, so I am unsure why this is occurring.
Thank you for your support,….”
Sigh.
I wish *I* had thought of the tape-thing.
September 28th, 2010 at 7:43 pmI am gonna give the teacher the benefit of the doubt. Her class size is probably too large with too many distracting “characters” in it; she is behind on the mandatory “you must learn this” agenda; she is compelled to purchase at least some supplies out of her own pocket; most parents just are not that involved and it shows with the kids; and lastly, maybe she was just having a bad day when you spoke with her.
September 28th, 2010 at 7:50 pmORRRRR, maybe she really is a sourpuss and shouldn’t be teaching. Good luck to you and your middle schooler in dealing with this. I have a “blondie” too and it is frustrating beyond belief on some days.
I’d go with the Hallelujah chorus. Totally.
September 28th, 2010 at 8:54 pmI vote for the Hallelujah Chorus. I also vote for more boy power. I HATE teachers who harass instead of teach.
September 28th, 2010 at 9:21 pmSense of hummer or no, I don’t think his teacher can say you aren’t helping him remember his supplies…
September 28th, 2010 at 10:01 pmHilarious! I can’t imagine what stick in the mud teacher wouldn’t at least crack a smile at that. Sad life if he has no sense of humor
September 28th, 2010 at 11:04 pmFor Halloween you should totally have him wear one of those ammo belts like in Rambo, except fill it with pencils instead. She eventually has to find one of these things funny (unless she is soulless)
September 29th, 2010 at 3:57 amThat’s a scream! Hope the teacher develops a sense of humor. (C’mon teacher, how creative is this solution??
)
September 29th, 2010 at 7:35 amI taught junior high math and for some reason never had a problem with pencils coming to class. I’m sure there were those who didn’t have a pencil but they either borrowed one from a friend or got one out of the “community” cup which held all the pencil rejects of the modern world…stubs, etc.
However, one of the more hip teachers down the hall from me actually “rented” pencils for use in her classroom during their class period with her. Actually, it worked quite well.
In defense of the seemingly “non” sense of humor the teacher appears to exhibit: without being there we have no concept of how this continued lack of a pencil has disrupted classroom instruction. My guess is that it’s gradually built up to where it is and although your solutions have been funny, they wouldn’t have been to someone who is at the wrong end of the patience stick over a continued waste of instruction time.
September 29th, 2010 at 8:48 amI am trying with all my might to think of a profession or even just a “job” that punishes the worker for not having a pencil.
I’m not doing well at all at it. Offices usually have a supplies cabinet, construction workers usually have trucks or toolboxes that they can go back to get something from. Even lawyers and judges bring their “locker” with them in the form of a breifcase.
Since school is supposed to be preparation for life out in the “real world” where you need to do things right to get a paycheck, why this extreme focus on something so inconsequential in the long run? I’ve asked myself this question a lot - ever since I was in middle school and had teachers getting bent about trivialities like this.
September 29th, 2010 at 9:45 amProblem solving is a life skill. I would be in hysterics if a student walked into my class like that. Then again, I wouldn’t have called a parent about a kid not having a pencil. I miss teaching sometimes.
September 29th, 2010 at 9:46 amShe better laugh at that, I bet with all the games with the pencil he will remeber it next time it’s not taped on…lol
September 29th, 2010 at 11:40 amWhat baffles me is anyone telling you that you do need to spend the day with him — do people forget you just enrolled your kids in public school? That you had all these children with and around you ALL day everyday. That you home schooled each and every one of these children!? (Except Miles?) People get a grip - and laugh, life is SO short!!
September 29th, 2010 at 11:45 pmGreat idea! That teacher has no sense of humor–what a dud. At my house, that pencil would have been attached to his shirt using DUCT TAPE.
September 30th, 2010 at 12:22 pmAs a former high school teacher, I find this hilarious. I would have sent cupcakes and cookies home to all the parents who attached writing instruments to their students.
Awesome.
September 30th, 2010 at 12:49 pmI NEVER remember to keep a pen in my purse… and I’m THIRTY SIX years old.
I wish someone would tape a pencil to MY shirt.
September 30th, 2010 at 1:11 pmDon’t the students have ring binders? He should have a bunch of pens and pencils in a plastic case that zips and fits in his ring binder.
My son had trouble writing down homework assignments and remembering his homework at this stage. He was diagnosed with ADD, the non-hyperactive kind. All the forgetfulness was symptomatic of a larger problem.
If I was the teacher, I actually WOULD be irritated because it probably looks to her as if you are laughing at her and her requirements.
September 30th, 2010 at 3:22 pmWow - sorry about that, my I don’t even stop to breathe/edit some times…what a mess. Passionate - much? lol!
September 30th, 2010 at 10:57 pmOh my, this is hilarious. As a mom of three boys (two who are constantly forgetting everything for school at home)I can so relate.
At least the tape matched.
October 1st, 2010 at 10:35 amIs this teacher a “real” person?
October 2nd, 2010 at 4:27 pmMaybe she is a robot and hasn’t been programed for
smile.
I tell you I really laughed and could hear the damn Hallelujah chorus.
Plus your son has the sweetest face and smile………
I’m sure she’s a robot.
Contractors use these things that clip to their shirt with a retractable line that attaches to their pencil top. Of course then he’d need the cool square pencils. Home depot.
October 4th, 2010 at 4:55 pmI wish I had had more parents like you when I was teaching fifth grade!
October 6th, 2010 at 7:27 am