Lesson Plan: How are Pencils Made Today?

Lesson Plan: How are Pencils Made Today?

Objective:

Learn how pencils are made and about manufacturing, in general

Featured learning skills:

• Manufacturing
• Sequencing
• Geography

LESSON PLAN

Step 1: Preparation/Discussion

• Start the discussion by asking students to consider how graphite gets inside a pencil case or pencil body
• Read aloud or have the students read in silence
• Or highlight the key points and share them with the class

Step 2: Pass out activity sheet [pdf] “How are Pencils Made Today?”

Part IIA activity sheet: Supplemental information

• Many pencil components are produced from raw materials supplied from different regions of the world beyond just other products within your state. You may wish to expand your discussion to some of these items.
• Grade the reports based upon depth of research, creativity, etc.

Part IIA activity sheet: Answers

Pencil Leads (Cores)

• Graphite–China, Ceylon
• Clay–varies

Pencil Woods

• Incense-cedar–California & Oregon
• Basswood–China
• Jelutongi/pulai—Indonesia, Malaysia
• Poplar—China, India, Turkey
• Kedra (pine)—Russia

Lacquer

• Coloring pigments—varies by color

Eraser

• Factice—Dutch East Indies
• Sulphur chloride—varies

Ferrules

• Zinc and copper—varies

Part III activity sheet: Supplemental information

• Review the various machines used in the “manufacturing process” required to make pencils—from the basic raw materials through to finished products
• Lead a group discussion in what types of different machines are used to make other common products students use everyday
• Click here to discover how a variety of everyday products are made

Sawmill—log to lumber

• Debarker, headrig saw, resaw, edger, trimmer, grade/sort, kiln drying, ship to finished product remanufacturing (e.g. pencil slats, windows, doors, furniture)

Pencil slat factory—lumber to slats

• Equalizer, tandem saw, grade/sort, edger, stain and treat, kiln drying, final inspection/packaging

Pencil lead factory—grahite/clay to pencil cores

• Graphite grinder, graphite milling, graphite/clay mixing, packing, extruding, cutting, drying

Pencil factory—slats, cores

• Groover, leadlayer, glue clamp, endtrim and shaper, painting, stamping/decorating, tipping, packaging