What brand pencils do you purchase for school?

[gatormom2tots]

Penways are a one time use...they sharpen one time- you write- and then the whole lead falls out and all you're left with is wood.

I can't tell you how many penways I throw away every year in my classroom. PLEASE don't use these for school. You don't have to get Ticonderoga (they are the best!) but please avoid the dollar store and penways!

 

[abmitch01]

24, I believe

 

[kinntj]

24, I believe

12 ct according to the ad. That makes it more expensive than the 24 pk at Meijer I got for $3.89. I just ordered 2-96 pks from amazon. It'll save over $1.00 and tax each. Free shipping since I needed 2, so I can give a pack to each teacher. The teachers love me because I already have them sharpened and ready to go at open house.

 

[luvmy3]

Now I know why ds's list specified Ticonderogas. Of course I had alread purchased a box of papermate all wood pencils so thats what he will bring in. I sharpened a few and they sharpen well so hopefully they will be OK.

 

[disneybound31]

we buy whatever's on sale, often staples brand. so far so good but I think the teachers prefer Ticonderoga

DD8 3rd grade teacher asked for Ticonderoga by name- I really wanted to go cheapy, but figured I would follow the list- at least for the start of school. I will prob move to the cheap huge pack I still have left from last year when she runs out.

 

[kinntj]

Now I know why ds's list specified Ticonderogas. Of course I had alread purchased a box of papermate all wood pencils so thats what he will bring in. I sharpened a few and they sharpen well so hopefully they will be OK.

The Papermate wood ones are just as good IMO to the Ticonderogas. I've purchased both and didn't see much of a difference.

 

[MM27]

As long as they are not mechanical pencils, I don't care what brand my students have. Those mechanical ones are not allowed in my classroom.
I save the Ticonderoga for myself or for state testing time. Kids in my class go throw pencils fast. I did buy a pack at the dollar store once where the whole piece of lead came out the first time it was sharpened.

 

[Michelle and crew]

As long as they are not mechanical pencils, I don't care what brand my students have. Those mechanical ones are not allowed in my classroom.
I save the Ticonderoga for myself or for state testing time. Kids in my class go throw pencils fast. I did buy a pack at the dollar store once where the whole piece of lead came out the first time it was sharpened.

It is nice that you have them for testing.

I love Ticonderogas. It was a long time to learn lesson.

 

[ilovejack02]

As a teacher, I used to buy the cheapest. However, I can't count how many next-to-new pencils I have thrown in the garbage because a) They do not sharpen correctly. Sometimes and entire box will sharpen so the graphite is towards the side. Sharpen over and over, still to the side. b) The pencil sharpens, but the graphite breaks down in the pencil and falls out. and, c) The eraser falls out, breaks off or hardens and is unusable. If you know kids, you realize they will not use a pencil without an eraser.
After throwing away too many, I now request parents send Ticonderoga. You can buy cheaper, but you may be throwing your money away.

I buy the Ticonderoga too, try to catch on sale and stock up . I have thrown many dollar store pencils away, I gave up and now buy the good for class and home.

 

[mom2val]

I only buy the Ticonderoga. Every other pencil we have tried are lousy- lead breaks and you cannot sharpen them. I send 4 with dd when school starts in her pencil bag kept in her binder and keep refilling her pencil bag as needed.

 

[autumnsmommy]

I used to love blackfeet, but they are no more Ticonderoga for home, plus whatever shiny theme pencils I can send in for holidays..Halloween, snowmen, hearts,spring flowers, etc.

 

[MKCP5]

I couldn't care less, but I think it is hilarious that there are THREE pages of responses to what pencil brand people use.

 

[TifffanyD]

I haven't used pencils in awhile but when I did I would only buy Black Warriors! Do they still make those? I liked that the shaft was ROUND, they sharpened and wrote well, and the eraser was awesome

 

[tripletots]

We use Ticonderoga's at our house. The erasers are the best. The acutally erase, without leaving red streaks or breaking. I buy mine from Costco, 96 pencils for under $8.00. My youngest aren't in elementary, so I don't have to worry about a community pile. If I did, I wouldn't buy them for school use, only home. They cost to much.

 

[kinntj]

We use Ticonderoga's at our house. The erasers are the best. The acutally erase, without leaving red streaks or breaking. I buy mine from Costco, 96 pencils for under $8.00. My youngest aren't in elementary, so I don't have to worry about a community pile. If I did, I wouldn't buy them for school use, only home. They cost to much.

That's a great price at Costco. Too bad I don't have one around here close enough. I would pay the difference with gas money.

 

[Belle5]

I am so glad I looked at this "mundane" thread about pencils! We use only Ticonderoga, and silly me, I never thought of checking Sam's Club to buy in bulk! (I know people have mentioned Costco, but I belong to Sam's, so I will check there) Thanks!

 

[Kathi OD]

As a teacher, I used to buy the cheapest. However, I can't count how many next-to-new pencils I have thrown in the garbage because a) They do not sharpen correctly. Sometimes and entire box will sharpen so the graphite is towards the side. Sharpen over and over, still to the side. b) The pencil sharpens, but the graphite breaks down in the pencil and falls out. and, c) The eraser falls out, breaks off or hardens and is unusable. If you know kids, you realize they will not use a pencil without an eraser.
After throwing away too many, I now request parents send Ticonderoga. You can buy cheaper, but you may be throwing your money away.

So true! I teach in a detention center, so we have to provide pencils for the students to use. We've tried many different kinds in an attempt to save money, but have found that the "expensive" Ticonderoga's are by far the best, as we aren't throwing them away after the first use.

Now I know why ds's list specified Ticonderogas. Of course I had alread purchased a box of papermate all wood pencils so thats what he will bring in. I sharpened a few and they sharpen well so hopefully they will be OK.

In my experience, Papermate pencils sharpen well the first time. After that, it's a crapshoot.

 

[sksjasams]

I'll buck the trend and say we use Mirado and have for the last 3 years. They sharpen and write well, and have nice erasers.

All the talk about Ticonderoga's though....we may try those this year

 

[libinatorsmom]

We bought Mirado this year - They are a papermate product. I used some and loved them! I good pencil is so important especially for younger students!!! Good easers are also very key I often find on the cheep pencils that the easers are garabage!!!

 

[Tink-n-MrIncredible]

I purchased a pack of 24 at Wal-Mart yesterday for $3.97 tomorrow Office Depot will have the same pack for $3.00. I am also going to price them at Sam's Club ( we do not have a BJ or Costco where I live). My DD tried them this week and told me she wanted a pack for school, not the ones I have in her pencil case.