Keeping Track of Pencils, Etc.

I wanted to pass on a little trick I implemented this year for school. The kids' pencils and pens, glue sticks, etc. were always getting lost.

This year, they each got a pencil box. Okay, no big deal there. I bought a roll of colored duct tape for each of them (Madeline = blue, Henry = green, Grace = pink). They each (at least the two older ones) started with 10 pencils, 3 pens, a scissors, a glue stick and 24 colored pencils (plus some stand by pens). On each of these, I wrapped a small strip of their respective duct tape.

Now, when I see anything lying around that should be in the box, I know exactly who to call and have them put it away. It's a small thing, and it took a bit of time to set it up, but it's been very helpful in the day to day running of school.