PL 7.07Sharpening a Pencil

1. 1

   Invite the child to the pencil area with a dull pencil.

2. 2

   Hold the sharpener in your non-dominant hand with the hole facing your other hand.

3. 3

   Put the pencil tip straight into the hole.

4. 4

   Turn the pencil to the right while holding the sharpener still. Watching the thin curl of wood come out is the point of interest.

5. 5

   Stop and check the tip every few turns. Stop when it is sharp; turning too long wears the pencil away.

6. 6

   Open the box over the trash can, tap out the shavings, and close it.

7. 7

   Return the pencil to its holder, point up. Invite the child to sharpen a pencil.

What catches the child’s eye

• The thin curl of wood turning out of the sharpener
• The point appearing

Extensions, easiest to hardest

1. Sharpen all the colored pencils for the metal insets
2. Check the pencils each morning as a classroom job
3. Use a desk-mounted crank sharpener