Classroom management tips are abundant, but here’s one you’ll use every single day of teaching that will save you tons of time! I’ve used a lot of different classroom management strategies to minimize the daily pencil issues that arise, but this last year I discovered one of the best methods to reduce the time suck that is the pencil issue. I want to share it with you.

Classroom management tips and pencil issues

I created a simple, time-saving, effective borrowing system. Read on for instructions on how to create your own Borrow Box.

Find a small box. I found a one in the recycling bin. I wanted it to be small enough to sit on the counter near my desk and not take up much space, but tall enough to hold an upright pencil.

Design the borrow box for stability

Design the box. I found a Wasi Tape design that matches the color scheme of my classroom, and I simply taped all around the box. This made the box more stable and able to withstand more use.

Next, I use the point of an Exacto knife to cut ten holes into the top. You barely needed to make much of a hole because the pencils you insert will create the perfect size.

The best classroom management tips: colorful pencils and sticky notes!

Try to locate a bunch of unique pencils that are noticeable (although this isn’t necessary). Take small sticky notes, cut them in half, and write the numbers 1-10 on each. Tape these “flags” to the end of the pencils below the eraser and make sure the flags are secure so they don’t slip off the pencil and litter your classroom floor.

Classroom management tips: create check out systems that work

Next, I found a small white board with a pen at the Dollar Store. It’s a perfect board because it’s small and the pen Velcros to the board. You can also do this with a designated spot on your whiteboard.

This is my sign-out board. Students may come up and check out a pencil if needed. The pencil must be returned before the end of class. The flags and the unusual pencils make them easy to spot if a student is using one of them.

The returned pencil goes back in its hole, and the student erases their name from the sign-out board.

Be sure you check the sign-out board at the end of your class, or assign a student to check the board and the box to make sure all pencils are returned.

Replenish the pencils periodically

I generally replenish the pencils once every 4-6 weeks, so for about 80 pencils a year I almost entirely eliminate one of the main annoyances in the classroom. That’s worth it to me! Admittedly, by the end of the fourth or fifth week the pencils are much shorter, but they are still functional and still working to solve the pencil issue. You may need to re-tape the sticky note.

What if the pencil isn’t returned?

If a student doesn’t return a pencil, I can see the name is still on the board. If they lose it, they have to make it right by volunteering to do a chore in the classroom or donate a pencil the next day.

You want to impress the point that students should be bringing their own pencils to school, but sometimes issues happen. I might say, “The Borrow Box is a safety net for when you need a pencil.”

Be consistent for several weeks, and the expectation will be set.

No more pencil issues! That’s it. Simple, cheap, and effective. What a great combination!

Read here to learn more about managing other classroom issues through building relationships.

I’d love to hear your best tip for reducing pencil issues in your classroom.