How to keep Crayons on desk?

producemama · #1 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 08:58 PM

I am a teacher's aide. (1st) One of the teachers has a problem with kids playing with their crayons when they need just 4 colors.

She wants to see how we can get them attached to the side of the desk so they are easy access but out of the way!

We thought about velcro but don't know how that would work.

Do any of you have any ideas?

TIA
Christina

Snoodles74 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 10:17 PM

I put the most used colors (pink, purple, green, black, brown, red, blue, yellow, orange) in zip-top baggies. Could baggies be taped to the side of the desk?

producemama · #3 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 11:00 PM

It is so funny that you said that.

I was just sitting here watching Bones (taped) and thought, Hmmm I wonder if we could tape little zip lock baggies to the side of the desk.!

Great minds think alike, lol

Thanks,
Christina

allinaugust · #4 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 11:14 PM

How about taping a string or piece of yarn to the end of the crayon, and then tape the other end of the string/yarn to the front of the desk. That way, the crayons are in the middle of the desk, and not on one side, so rightys or leftys can access them equally.

They sell velcro that is sticky on one side. You can stick one side to the crayon, one side to the desk, then stick the crayon to the velcro when not in use.

Toonces · #5 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 05:48 AM

They also sell crayons with a flat side for little kids (the big fat crayons) so they won't roll off the desk. That would work for the velcro too, as it it will have a flat side to stick to. The only down side with the velcro is that after repeated use, I'm sure the crayon paper will rip.

Cuthie · #6 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 08:30 AM

I wonder if she could teach them not to play with the crayons?

I'm not being a smart-aleck... I think that they can learn.

Here's a story to illustrate my point... I had to use tables for the kids when I taught kindergarten. They each had all of their supplies in a tub that I had them keep on the front edge of their table (marked with a square on the table). After a few times of reminding them and asking them to fold their hands (or sit on their hands!!!), they learned to only use the supplies -- and touch the supplies! -- as needed.

Excellent suggestions above but I'd honestly be afraid of a bigger frustration (for kids and teacher!) if the ziplocks started falling off of the desks when people walked by or if the person in front snagged them... Gotta think of these things with the little ones!

mabear74 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 10:13 AM

For my little ones desk at school....I helped the the teacher attach a big piece of velcro to the top and side of the students desks, and then we attached small pieces to the crayons and dry erase markers and pencils. It works wonders, and they can keep the items they are not using on the side of their desk and keep what they are working with on the top of their desk.....

I have also done this with a few items on our computer desk that I use all the time, but don't like digging for

One of my DS's has a box on the side of his desk, I believe it is actually a locker organzier, that the teacher provided for all the students to keep their stuff in....it works well too!

producemama · #8 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 11:50 PM

She has tried the "teaching not to" way. But it is hard when you have 2 autistic children in there. And there are 3-4 A.D.D. So when they start playing with the crayons, it is a chain reaction.

We tried the little velcro dots today. We liked the string idea, but in order for it to reach across the desk to where they would be working, It was hanging on the floor. Then you have the risk of them getting stepped on. We will see how the dots work. I also thought of that shelf liner stuff that keeps stuff from moving. We will see.

Thanks for the replies.

Christina

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuthie

I wonder if she could teach them not to play with the crayons?

I'm not being a smart-aleck... I think that they can learn.

Here's a story to illustrate my point... I had to use tables for the kids when I taught kindergarten. They each had all of their supplies in a tub that I had them keep on the front edge of their table (marked with a square on the table). After a few times of reminding them and asking them to fold their hands (or sit on their hands!!!), they learned to only use the supplies -- and touch the supplies! -- as needed.

Excellent suggestions above but I'd honestly be afraid of a bigger frustration (for kids and teacher!) if the ziplocks started falling off of the desks when people walked by or if the person in front snagged them... Gotta think of these things with the little ones!

dreamscapes · #9 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 12:13 AM

what about a velcro box in between several seats in the middle of the table? the kids could "help make" the box with fabric and glue, and then use that to keep the crayons within arms reach of each group of 4 kiddies.