Pencil Organization

I have decided to update my pencil (can) holder. Last year they were in tin cans covered and labeled. I liked them but they weren't completely functional. I say that because the kiddos had to reach into the can and then decide if that pencil tip would work for them. Sounds weird, but I know you have the one or two kiddos who HAVE to have the SHARPEST pencil in the batch. One little darling  in particular would pull out a handful, search and search, and then place the ones that didn't make the cut back. And on some occasions the tips would break and the rest of the class would pull back an already broken pencil. (I have a strict lead down rule so there are no accident impalements!)

So I searched on my second favorite teacher website, Proteacher.net. (second to Pinterest of course!) I typed in "pencil can labels" and found the cutest label! I immediately knew what I would do! The label was shared for FREE from the fabulous Peace, Love and Learning blog. Go check her out!

I bought these two white bins from Wal-Mart.

I used my handy dandy laminator and some scrapbook paper to decorate.

I hope these work better for them since they will see the pencil before they pick it up!

What do you use in your classroom for pencils?  I'd love to hear your pencil procedure!

Personal Laminator

Well I broke down this week and bought a Scotch Thermal Laminator. I have been seeing these for a couple years now. Yes, my school has a laminator but they can be pretty stingy about refilling the roll. As a new teacher I feel like I'm always finding things I wish I had laminated. Now I don't have to feel guilty any longer and I can laminate away!

I picked it up at Wal-Mart for $27 and some change. The refill sheets were a bit pricey for 50 sheets @ $14.99. I have read on various teacher blogs before I bought this and plan on purchasing refills from Amazon from now on. I read on a blog that she bought 100 sheets for $15. That's double for the same price! (See, this is why I love teaching math!)

I immediately went home and started playing! Here are a few pics of somethings I laminated.

And some shots of it in action!

I like the sheets because I can squeeze all the little pieces in that I need.

Now I will show you that the to pencil labels I laminated were pretty close together and didn't laminate the best.

I know the picture isn't the best quality, but I just ran the sheet through the laminator again to give it an extra "squeeze" and it seemed to do the trick. But if this doesn't bother you - I highly recommend this product. *Go to my next post to see the finished product for my pencil bins and labels!

Happy laminating!!!