Only teachers can understand how wonderful you feel when you get something that makes your classroom life easier. My teammate, who is Greek, told me there is a Greek phrase for the excitement you feel after buying something new. The phrase is me geia (me ee-yee-aa) which translates as ‘enjoy with health’. She shared this with me this after I shared my new pencil sharpener with my team as though I was an infomercial. Clearly I was excited.
My friend, Kari, had bought one and I was so excited to get to try one out for real. It really lived up to the hype. She mentioned that she saw a section on their website for requesting one if you would blog about it. I was quick to put in a request. I was ready to give a positive review after trying hers so I knew I’d be able to honestly say I loved it. (I’m honest to a fault- so I would have been afraid to request one if I hadn’t tried it out first.)
I knew I was going to love this sharpener, but what has surprised me is the reaction of my fifth graders. I’ve borrowed Kari’s a few times to sharpen a lot of pencils at once. The other day a kid stood in front of my two expensive electric sharpeners, sighed, and then turned around and asked, “Where is that good pencil sharpener?!?”
I had to smile as I gave a brief tutorial on how to use the sharpener. The kids literally let out a collective, “Wow!” I told my husband that you guys will think I’m completely exaggerating if I tell you just how excited they were. It was hilarious to me. Kids asked me how much it cost. They asked where they could buy one (and were upset that it was online and not at Walmart). I was trying to keep a straight face because I knew they were seriously curious.
The best quote today though was a kid saying, “Wow! Technology!” How could I not smile?
My favorite thing is that the pencil sharpener stops sharpening when the pencil is sharp. They can’t wear their pencil down to nothing even if they wanted to.
I already have a ‘no lines’ policy. If you want water, wait until no one is at the fountain. Don’t ask to go to the bathroom if someone is there. Can I go after so and so? Ask me when they get back. Today was the first time I really had to reenforce the no line policy. Suddenly everyone needed to sharpen their pencil. I even had to institute a one-pencil-a-day policy as I saw a girl grab a handful of pencils out of her backpack. (I only have the kids for 80 minute blocks.) The beauty is, it is so quiet they can sharpen a pencil while I’m talking.
Pencils have been a big issue for me this year. I have 90 kids in and out of my room. I also have a latex allergy so I have to limit what kinds of pencils with erasers they use in my classroom. My kids have gone through more pencils than I care to admit (or care to buy!).
This pencil sharpener is so easy, I was able to have 100 pencils sharpened in a day. I had a helper wrap the pencils in polka dot tape and I wrote the kids numbers on them. I gave them each one special pencil. I told them I’d do random pencil checks and have them clip up for having their pencils. I saw this idea on a blog but can’t remember where. If you know, let me know so I can credit them.
I think the most amazing selling point for me was that the sharpener can be used by anyone. My husband has been to physical therapy because his grip strength is 40% of normal. He struggles to open water bottles because of a nerve issues. He was still able to sharpen dozens of pencil for me with this sharpener no problem.
If you haven’t checked out their website, please do. Just click on the picture below. The sharpeners are very reasonable. They have giveaways all of the time. Check them out.
Don’t forget today is the last day to enter my giveaways!
Heather Byers says
I LOVE my pencil sharpener! It is one of the best things I have gotten for my classroom.
Heather
The Busy Busy Hive
Diane R says
I love mine, too! But I don't let the kids use mine 🙂 Maybe if I get another one…
Diane
Fifth in the Middle