How to keep those disappearing pencils!

"I start with a flower pot, some green foam and artificial flowers I tape to the pencils.The students know where to borrow a pencil, and they return them before leaving class. I ask the students to donate new pencils to replenish the pot."

"My students were never dismissed until the classroom floor was picked up. That's where we found all of our "missing" pencils!"

"I used to have kids give me a shoe (or other item) in order to borrow a pencil or own. My students exchange something of value - shoes, locker keys, whatever. They think it is funny to exchange for a shoe but it works!! I always got them back." Several teachers submitted that same tip.

"I give them a pencil, they owe me a chore. Cleaning and straightening, or something similar." or "Finding and returning pencils earns them a sticker."

"Two of my kids are in charge of picking up pencils every afternoon. Two are in charge of sharpening pencils in the afternoon and two are in charge of sharpening more in the morning before school starts. Everyone turns in their pencils every day and they can get another one whenever they need one, but have to turn in a pencil to get another one."

"Securely electrical/duct tape plastic spoons to the pencils. This kids always give them back at the end of class because they are embarrassed to be writing with them."

Yes, everyone, except Betsy DeVos, knows that teachers are constantly buying supplies for their students...