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On another note, I have a serious issue at hand. Erasers. First you need a little back story. When I student taught (3 years ago) I had an awesome, groovy, cool cooperating teacher. She gave me many "aha" moments and set me up to be successful as I started off on my own. One of the biggest, but small things I took from her is she didn't have erasers out for students to use. She was a K-5 teacher and NEVER ONCE did I hear a student complain or whine about not having an eraser.
Having an eraser seems like such a small thing to be worried about. I see more and more students being afraid to just create and becoming more concerned about it being perfect or just right. I always tell my students "if you make a mistake it's not a big deal just make it in to something else." I took the no eraser practice with me. I'm in my third year at the same school, students know I don't give out erasers, yet they still always ask. Then they start to complain and throw a fit. Some become wise and bring their own, which is fine if they don't leave it in my room. AND when an eraser does get left in my room what happens? Everybody thinks it's a good idea to poke their pencil in it and then it falls apart into a million tiny pieces crushed into the carper and who gets to pick it up?--ME.
What's your take on erasers? Seriously, am I the only one with a vendetta towards the "E" word?
My favorite Art Professor in college taught me one of my favorite things. When drawing or painting, even the masters left behind marks. Evidence of the work that had been done, they weren't perfect, they didn't get it in one try. It gave you a chance to see the history of the work, where it started and what it became.
Eraser Soapbox done.
On another note, I hope your summer was awesome.
Here's a quick photo montage of mine.
What was your best moment?
Glad to see you made it back to Norfolk!
ReplyDeleteErasers! Ugh, I hate them too. But I do put one out per table. Mostly for use later. What I mean is if we drawing something I tell them not to use the erasers until I say they can. Of course the moan a bit and some try to sneak them out, but this is why.
ReplyDeleteI found that if I don't let them use the erasers they tend to draw lighter. What am I always saying? Draw light until you get it right? Yep. Plus most of the time it is the first or second thing they draw that they want to erase. I found that if they would just wait, whatever they did not like before, may not be a big deal when they look at it later when they have more of the drawing done.
So mostly the erasers in my room are for when they are working independently drawing, writing or during free time. BTW I put the name of the table on each one and check at the end of class to make sure each table has one in the supply box. I won't replace lost ones for a long time. Natural consequences, and yes 6 days later when they come through the room and there is still no eraser then maybe it will slowly sink in. But since I have been here 4 years now, they should know better than to loose them. :) I will eventually replace them, or give them an old broken one. But I do hate the pencil holes and broken pieces too.
Hope you have a good year. I just found your blog and want to check out all of the posts. I saw your Minion sub plan and think that will be great for my subs to do also.
Thanks for sharing!