Pencil Sharpener Jokes

September 24, 2003

Melinda Jurus, a sixth-grade social studies teacher at Grizzell Middle School in Dublin, Ohio

Before quizzes and tests, I found that the line for the pencil sharpener was longer than usual. Since I can’t talk over the noise of the sharpener, I cannot use this time to give instructions or announcements. The beginning of class turned into disorganized wasted time adding to the stress level of some students who are nervous about the test.

To use this wasted time and help students de-stress, I've asked students to wait for pencil-sharpening/joke telling time. I make any announcements or instructions needed at the beginning of class, and then I announce that they have 45 seconds to get their pencils ready and to tell their neighbor a funny joke. The students want to hurry back to their seats so they can hear or tell a joke. After the time is up, I ask for one student to share their joke. We all laugh and start the quiz on a relaxed note. And at the same time, I've reduced the time it takes to start a quiz.

COMMENTS:

1 - 6 out of 6 Comments | Add your comment

Melanie | 2012/01/20

I love this! I also do a chant with my kids that is nonsense but fun. It starts off slow and low and eventually becomes loud and fast. We make a contest of it to see if we can get someone from a neighboring class to open the door. The kids LOVE it and it relaxes them as well. I love the Joke idea for pencil sharpening. I am going to try it as well.

Christine | 2012/01/19

Linda, honestly, do you really think your suggestions help kids relax? And use a pen? On our standardized tests, they have to bubble in answers on complicated answer sheets. Using a pen, they couldn't change an answer if they wanted to. Besides which, of course, their test wouldn't be scored since it wasn't done with a #2 pencil. I think Melinda's ides is great, and I intend to use it in my 5th grade classroom.

MJ | 2012/01/19

You're my kind of teacher, Melinda!

Lisa | 2012/01/19

Love the idea!!!!!

Cheryl | 2012/01/19

I think it's a great and useful idea. And....Linda...are you kidding?

Linda | 2012/01/19

Frankly, I think this is not useful. How about...sit quietly, breathe 3 x, visualize. Close the eyes and see notes, the board. Have your students use a pen. No pencil sharpening. Insist on quiet before the test.

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