Crayons, Colored Pencils, or Markers?
Posted by Jen Bragg on 24 Feb 2010 | Posted in: Organization and Supplies, Teachers and Teaching
On the shelf behind my desk is a gallon-size plastic bag. In it are crayons, markers, and colored pencils representing every color of the rainbow. A few of the colored pencils need to be sharpened, and I’m sure I could retire more than a few of the markers. But I keep the supplies handy because different tasks require different tools. You know, I need crayons to make worksheet keys, colored pencils when I need to draw fine lines, and markers for creating things like classroom charts. Of the three, I’d have to say I like markers best.
Now when it came to the tools my students used in class, that was a different story. I hated it when they used markers. Crayons, fine. Colored pencils, even better (except when they needed to be sharpened). But markers, yech! Markers covered my students’ hands, their clothes, and their desks. Markers covered printed text to the point where it couldn’t be read and then, when the markers began to dry out, they made students’ work look terrible. I bet you can picture those sad, faded lines, can’t you? I know, I know—I shouldn’t have been that picky. I should have been happy that my students had supplies to use. What can I say? I was picky, and I did all I could to discourage the use of markers in my classroom.
Which do you prefer: crayons, colored pencils, or markers? Or maybe you have no preference at all. Share your thoughts!
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46 Responses to “Crayons, Colored Pencils, or Markers?”
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More Comments Pages: « 1 2 [3] 4 » Show All Comments
I teach in the northern part of México in our public schools we have been supplied with crayons the big size ones I think they are too big for little hands, my kids like the regular size and use the little pieces as well since some of them do not have crayons at home. Mi kids like to use crayons on individual laminated letters and numbers that they like to trace they like the cursive ones too and on the back they like to make little drawings and they love to erase them with a piece of wet cloth we hang them and let dry.
I prefer crayons for my first graders. Since I have to purchase all the supplies for my students ( parents do not) I prefer crayons because they last longer and make beautiful pictures. I also like to peel them when they are broken and teach kids to shade with them. It is a difficult concept for first graders that an unsharpened crayon is still useful; but we try to get them to learn it. One year I purchased a 24 pack of 12 different markers and found the tips all smushed and the markers dried out at the end of the year. I think it was a waste of my money. If you are able to get your parents to purchase the supplies you want the children to use then I say, “Explore the different types.” However, for my buck- the crayons work best.
We use different tools for different jobs as well. The only markers they are allowed at school are dry erase markers for their ’slates’. They are only allowed to use the dry erase markers on the slates. I had students write on themselves, so they can no longer use the markers. They have to use their pencil and their writing journals. We correct different things in class such as morning work or workbook pages and for editing. For this we use a checking pencil. They are not allowed to use the checking pencil for anything else becuase it is supposed to stand out from the est of the writing. We use crayons for coloring or they can use it for checking and correcting.
OK, I have a very low tolerance level for mess. I know, I know, when you work with kids you have mess, but I don’t want more than necessary. I have argued against including markers on the supply list to no avail. So on the first day of school, when the kids bring in supplies, the markers go right back in their backpacks and go back home. End of story. Crayons all the way. They work when they are broken. They come in every color a kid could need. They never dry out. Kids can shade and highlight with them. And when nothing is left but crumbs, you can warm them up, squish them together and make conglomerates with them!
When I teach a three year old class I pick-up a four compartment cup holder(dunkin donuts)and have the child color it their favorite color. We insert painted coffee cups into the openings(first place some glue so that the cups do not come out).The students then put in coloring pencils,crayons,markers(chunky,thin),glue sticks, glue bottles in center, and a scissor. This is the time for children to explore different types of mediums.As educators, we can’t be concerned about messes.I always keep wet ones at their table to teach that they are responsible for themselves and each other. They are more than willing to clean up.We use bingo markers,stampers and painting with Q-Tips. Some of my boys have painted mustaches on themselves. Parents understand that they are exploring!!! Children must be allowed to have fun. You certainly are not going to do when you’re a grown-up.
I now teach four year olds. At the beginning of the school year I gave everyone their own container to store their art supplies. They now carry their counting cubes (I use the containers form the Mini-M&Ms to hold them) and their chunky writing pencil! They love having their supplies at their fingertips. It’s O.K. to be messy. It also teaches them early how to take care of their supplies and also to use them.
Don’t through out those markers when or if they dry out. You can use them again by dipping the tips in water. It makes beautiful pictures and gives the art impression of similar to water colors.
Markers? Crayons? Colored Pencils? Yes, all of them please. Each one has its rightful place in the classroom arsenal. Markers, albeit messy, are a perfect medium for children working on fine motor control needed for writing–especially fine tipped ones. They lend themselves to less resistance and allow for easier flow than, say, a pencil. Dry erase markers are also a good option. They erase easily from laminated sheets and personal white boards.
Crayons are ideal to use with a child who is developing a pincer grasp. (Snap the crayon in half–it forces the child to hold with his fingertips.) The crayon gives the child the opportunity to experiment with different pressure on the writing surface. Colored pencils are a fun, colorful transition into writing with a pencil. All three of these writing utensils are available always to my students. Depending on the child’s needs and level of development, I encourage use of one or the other.
Parents are often reluctant to allow their children to use “tools” such as markers and play-doh because of the mess. Sometimes, the only opportunity these children have to use such items are in our classrooms. Happy coloring!
Twistables are the best. They don’t have to be sharpened and they work like crayons.
I have mixed feelings about using crayons and markers with my toddlers. I usually prefer crayons, (less mess). But you can see markers on the page even if they’re not pushing down hard. The bad thing is I have a toddler right now that bites the tip off.-He gets crayons:)
CRAYONS are the best!!! Students do such nice work with crayons! I’ve tried colored pencils this year but they always get stuck in the pencil sharpener! Our rule is if it’s shiny or there’s a backside, we never use markers.
I also am a crayon lover. Besides the messy hands the markers leave behind, they also bleed through most papers. However, they are needed for some art projects. I discovered long ago that since my students prefer markers, they would run them dry in a short time and would not have the necessary colors for said art projects. I started “Marker Monday” several years ago so markers last longer. Also my students usually request a “Marker Tuesday” after a Monday holiday. I am delighted and amazed at the little things that bring a smile to their faces.
I have always been a “crayon” teacher, because of all of the reasons already expressed about the pitfalls of markers, and colored pencils just haven’t been a presence in my third grade classroom. But I do agree with the teachers I read in this blog, and I do think I am going to make markers part of my classroom and on a special use basis. Thanks for your ideas.