We got so tired of sharpening pencils all day, and then buying mech pencils that the kids just messed with and didn't work either. I went to walmart and bought erasable ink pens. They aren't perfect, but the best thing we have tried so far. Other thing is I bought some write and wipe boards and some expo markers, the kids love using them, they are clean and neat, 'erase' great and write brightly. Great for math. And you can use different colors. Erase if off and use the board again over and over.
Another great idea of dry erase is to color-code your language. Different parts of speech are different colors. Verbs are green, because the are words that "go". Adjectives are red, because they add "spice" to life, etc.
I love mechanical pencils. I have been buying this brand for years: And they are awesome. They have a HUGE eraser so you never run out. PLus, they give you extra erasers, just in case you do, and lead too. I buy them once a year - about 6, and they last all year. Not bad for $12.
Working in a public school I go through tons of pencils. This year alone I've gone through about 200 pencils. There are only two pencils I use now and both are relatively cheap if you buy them at the right place. First, as already mentioned Ticonderoga are great pencils. I can 96 at Costo for just over $8 or $0.07 each with tax included. The best pencil I have ever used are called General's Semi-Hex pencils. Our local community college sells them for about $0.19/ea.. I tried to order a bunch in bulk and they referred me to their distributor Elgin School Supply at 530-894-6338 or by email elgin260@hotmail.com. I believe they were about $1.99/dozen or $0.16/each plus about $3 shipping so the more you order the cheaper they are.
I have used several types of mechanical pencils and hated them all until i found the .9 mm one. Now i love my pencil. nice thick lead- does not break easy- good dark color- and smooth feeling as I write with it. We also have regular- favorites are Office depot.
this is almost off topic, but do any of you remember those really cool pencils when we were kids (way back in the 80s)? There were mechanical pencils that smelled like fruit; and my favorite were those multi lead pencils. You would write with one until it ran out, then pull it out and push it back into the end to pop up a new lead. And they were usually clear. Those were the highlight of my school day back then.
I remember pushing the lead through, but mine didn't smell like fruit. I've never been fond of things that are scented like that, and wouldn't have bought them. So there were probably different ones with that design. I think they still have some of the push-through types.
