Objective: Students learn about how creative ways can be developed to recycle common everyday objects that might otherwise be sent to landfills.

Before introducing this art project discuss with students the importance of recycling and have them contribute ideas for a list of items that are commonly recycled. Have them think about how other items that are not typically reused somehow might be recycled rather than put in landfills. Ask them to think about how they might recycle their used pencils and then introduce this project.

This Thomas Edison Timeline Lesson Plan provides a good opportunity to teach your students about the process of invention.

Edison was not only one of our country's most famous inventors but he was a big user of pencils as well. So we've selected a lesson plan that uses color pencils as part of the creative activity.

Here are a few additional links to Thomas Edison Information on the web to help your students build the timeline:

Objective: Students study how a pencil is made and learn about the manufacturing process in general.

Learning Skills:
- manufacturing
- sequencing
- geography

Lessons:

PART I: Before distributing the activity sheets (attached below), ask each student to think of the ways in which graphitei can be inserted in the pencil body or casing. After the students have completed Part I, pass out the activity sheet and explain. This sheet can be suplemented with more detailed information on the process from our Pencil Making page.

Objective: Students will learn the history of the pencil.

Learning Skill:
- researching
- role playing
- time line

Lessons:

Part I: Begin by discussing the highlights of the Pencil History background information. Next, pass out the activity sheets (attachement below) and direct the class to Part I.

Option IIA: Assign each student one of the countries, and ask him or her to list some of the everyday items, significant inventions or other discoveries credited to them.

Answers:

Part I: (1)B; (2)D; (3)C: (4)A