This is great for the beginning of the year and creates a wonderful piece of art for a wall of the classroom!

Each student is given a square piece of paper.
Use a ruler to find the middle of each side and mark it with a dot.
Use the ruler and a pencil to connect the dots so there is a diamond in the middle of the paper.

For grades 1 and 2, simply have the student make a self portrait in the middle and draw things they like in the sides.
For grade 3, you can ask for more detail:

Write the following instructions on the board or overhead for the students while/after explaining:

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

Objective:
Students will be able to describe the many uses of the pencil.

Featured Learning Skills :
- association
- graphing
- biography

Lessons:
Prior to distributing the activity sheets (see .pdf attachment below), ask the students to think of all the different ways people use pencils (e.g. waitress, an architect). Continue the brainstorming until the class has come up with a list of 10 pencil users. Once this list is complete, pass out the activity sheets.