Why I Loathe Mechanical Pencils in My Classroom

I told my students at The Hellenic American Academy on my very first day that I would prefer they did not use mechanical

pencils in my classes. I didn’t outright ban them but I told the students that mechanical pencils annoy me, and it is never wise to annoy the teacher.

I’m a big believer in keeping things simple. There’s not much in the world that’s more simple than a pencil. The mechanical version just adds unnecessary complications and drama.

“Can I go to my locker and get some more lead?”

“Do you have any lead I can borrow?”

“I dropped my lead and Timmy is stepping on them.”

“My lead won’t stay in.”

“My eraser keeps falling out.”

You see? The pencil isn’t the problem. The problem is the distractions, interruptions and attention breaks.

Just keep it simple - bring a pencil... preferably, pre-sharpened.

My Hope...

“If I have seen further it is only by standing on the shoulders of giants” - Sir Isaac Newton

That’s quite a sentiment coming from one of the giants of science. I’m no scientist, but I can echo his thought to some extent. If I can understand science at all it is because of the brilliant men and women who came before me. Some of them were teachers, writers and scientists.

I teach science and math at the middle school level - grades 6, 7 and 8. My job is to train these young men and women in the ways of science and math. So far this year, we’ve studied Physics, Earth Science and Astronomy, Pre-Algebra and Algebra.

That’s kind of the nuts and bolts of what the Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires me to teach my students. 

My hope for my students, is that I am able to instill some of the wonder I feel for the world, the joy and confidence of understanding and the foundation to go as far as their drive, curiosity and intellect will take them.

A New Blog...Why?

I am starting this blog on a challenge from my teaching partner. We’re both blogging every day about our lives as teachers. We both teach at The Hellenic American Academy in Lowell, Mass.

This should be interesting but you’ll all be the judge of that. Please read, share, comment, disagree with my thoughts and feelings. 

Mark W. McKellar