Sharpening a Pencil

Sharpening pencils teaches children to prepare their own materials while developing fine motor control.

• Framework: Montessori
• Unit: Practical Life
• Learning area: Preliminary Exercises
• Level: Ages 4-6

Objectives

• Learn tool use for writing preparation
• Practice rotational movements
• Develop responsibility

Materials

• Pencil
• Manual pencil sharpener
• Container for shavings
• Sharpened pencil container

Instructions

1. Select dull pencil. 2. Hold sharpener in non-dominant hand over container. 3. Insert pencil point. 4. Twist pencil clockwise with dominant hand. 5. Check point periodically. 6. Stop when sharp. 7. Empty sharpener if needed.

Educator tip

Teach children to check the point by looking, not touching. Show what 'sharp enough' looks like.

Assessment

Child sharpens pencil to appropriate point without waste.

More from Practical Life

• Cracking Eggs
• Wringing a Sponge
• Stapling Papers
• Putting on a Jacket
• Zipping a Jacket
• Buttoning a Shirt
• Tying a Bow
• Putting on Socks