Tired of finding pencils on the floor, hidden in the back of desks, and disappearing in droves? If so, The Great Pencil Challenge is a solution for YOU!
What if I told you your students were capable of keeping the SAME pencil for THREE weeks or more?! Don’t believe me? My class of 25 second graders were able to do it, so I know your students can, too! Read below for how you can start your first “Great Pencil Challenge.”
What is the Great Pencil Challenge?
The Great Pencil Challenge (we’ll call it GPC for short,) challenges students to keep the same pencil for a set duration of time. Students who succeed earn a small reward.
Prefer to watch than read?! Check out the YouTube video below!
Challenge Set Up
First, give each student in your class their own new pencil, designated with taped on numbers or name flags. Write names or numbers directly on the pencil with permanent marker if preferred. Personally, I like using the taped flags because they make the pencils easier to find.
Additionally, ask students to clear out any old pencils in your classroom. The first time I did this, a student had eight pencils hiding in the back of their desk. Yes, EIGHT!
Next, set a time limit for the challenge. If you’re trying a challenge for the first time, use 1-2 weeks as a starting point. This will help you assess how capable your students are before you decide to add on time.
After that, name your reward. In my room, the reward remains the same time after time (with the exception of the final challenge.) This keeps things simple and avoids the need for me to “out do” myself on the reward time after time. The reward is always 10 class dojo points or “Dojo Dollars” as we call them. Students spend their dojos on class rewards such as “Stinky Feet” (no shoes in class for the day) and “Lunch with the Teacher.”
The Rules
Now its time to set your GPC rules! Present these at the start of the challenge so all students are on the same page. Below I’ll tell you the rules I use with my 2nd graders. Of course, you’ll want to edit the rules to fit your age group and style.
- Pencils can only be sharpened in the electric sharpener at the end of the day (*exception if the tip breaks off)
- Mrs. Munch and the student entitled the class job of “Pencil Sharpener” are the only two people who may sharpen pencils with the electric sharpener.
- Pencils may be sharpened with a personal sharpener at any time.
- Broken pencils are disqualified (*exception if a peer steps/breaks the pencil.)
- Pencils that are too short to legibly write with are disqualified.
- When students lose their pencil, they must first search on their own by taking EVERYTHING out of their desk (it’s almost always in the desk or supply box.) If not found, Mrs. Munch will either help them look or give them a pencil to borrow if its not a fitting time to search.
- If an appropriate time, Mrs. Munch may request the class helps search for one minute help find the lost pencil before it is called out. If found, the pencil is still in.
- Pencils found after being called “out” are still out.
- Students help one another keep track of their pencil. Any student hiding another student’s pencil will be called out. The other student involved is still in the challenge.
- Mrs. Munch may choose to “pause” the challenge at any time for a test or learning activity. We will not search for lost pencils during this time. Mrs. Munch will provide an alternate pencil to use. Once the “pause” is lifted, the challenge resumes as normal.
The Buy In
So, now you’re on board. You understand the challenge and are ready to introduce it to your students. But, will they buy in? I can tell you wholeheartedly, my experience is YES! In every class I’ve had, students have been excited and eager to compete in the GPC. However, there are things I do to ensure this kind of engagement. Below are some pointers:
- SET THE STAGE: Create hype by showing excitement as you explain the premise. For example, “I have a new challenge for you, are you ready to hear it?!” Drum up the timeline and the reward as you explain further.
2. SET THEM UP TO WIN: Students rise to the level of our BELIEF in them. Tell them you know a class of 2nd graders (aka mine!) that went three whole weeks and you KNOW they can too. Start small if you need to (do a one week or even one DAY challenge if that’s what you need!)
3. HELP WHEN NEEDED: Go over desk organization, systems for where to place your pencil, and tips for finding it when lost. In our class, the first thing we do is check our art box and then pull everything out of our desk (I’d say it has an 80% success rate.) Assist those who need a little extra help by checking in with them more often, helping them look when their pencil is lost, etc.
4. USE THE GOOD PENCILS: Make the challenge easier for students by using quality pencils! You know the kind. I especially love using Ticonderoga pencils. They sharpened easily and are extremely durable. Though wonderful, these pencils can be expensive. Ask classroom families and friends to donate a pack to get you started.
What if it’s too Challenging?
I’ve been doing this challenge for four years. In that time, I’ve had MANY students with unique needs and many who have struggled with organization. In spite of those hindrances, ALL my students have been successful with the challenge! And not only success, but repeated success.
It is truly rare that the same student gets “out” of the challenge more than once during the year. Many are able to say in every challenge!
Conversely, it is called a challenge for a reason. Not every student will win every time and that’s ok. Valuable life lessons are learned when we lose! Make your classroom a safe place to experience this. Don’t be afraid of emotions or try to limit them. Losing can be hard. Comfort your students who may struggle with loss and guide them through.
One thing that has helped my students is knowing they can try again. Because we do challenges year round, they know there will be a next one. Even students with amazing organizational skills lose their pencil sometimes. Encourage students in their effort and remind them everyone loses. Share an example of a time you lost if appropriate.
Keep Spirits High
At the end of the challenge, celebrate the victories! Before handing out the reward, congratulate all students on their hard work and effort in the challenge. After all, the main goal of the challenge is for students to give their best effort into keeping track of their pencil. This simultaneously solves pencil problems in class and brings a fun energy into the room.
Certainly, we want all students to be successful. But, they may not all reach success within the same challenge. Thus, I choose to hand out the reward discreetly to avoid students feeling left out if they did not win that challenge. For example, when award the “Dojo Dollars,” it is done at the end of the day after students have left. Students who won the challenge know they earned 10 Dojo Dollars, but we don’t make a big show about it. They simply see it reflected in their account next time they buy rewards.
Finally, before beginning a new challenge, assess the last. I’ve found if 85% or more students were successful, we’re ready to extend the next challenge. If our percentage is lower than this, I keep the length of the challenge the same for the next round. Our class is currently working at four week challenges!
Something to Help…
To conclude, let me make your life even easier. I’ve created tracking sheets and Google slides to use in your classroom that will make starting the challenge a breeze! Display the slides in class to introduce the challenge, and use the tracking pages to help with management throughout its entirety. The Great Pencil Challenge Guide provides visuals and additional tips (not found in this blog) to navigate you every step of the day. Click here to get more information!
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Amazing! I can not wait to have a go!🤩