How to Sharpen Crayola Write Start Colored Pencils
Crayola Write Start colored pencils are a lot like any other colored pencil in the way they are manufactured. They contain the same ingredients as most normal colored pencils would, but the thing that sets these pencils apart from the rest is their enormous size. They are designed especially for small hands, that are just starting to discover their writing abilities. These pencils are great for small kids because they will not break, they are too large to put into small mouths and they do not make a mess. What more could a mom ask for? That still leaves us with one small problem: how do you sharpen them?
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Things You'll Need
- Jumbo pencil sharpener (5.3mm tip) or
- Eyeliner pencil sharpener or
- Knife
- Trashcan
Instructions
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Look for a pencil sharpener in your local craft store, or store that carries the crayola brand pencils. You will be able to find a pencil sharpener that is compatible with the extra large-shaped tips. Find a hand held sharpener so your little ones can do it by themselves. Consider using a jumbo eyeliner pencil if you can not find a regular over-sized sharpener. This will work great, given the soft waxy nature of the Crayola Write Start pencil lead.
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Show your kids how to sharpen the pencil before letting them have a turn. Gently insert your pencil so it fits snugly inside the opening of the sharpener.
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3
Try holding the pencil and the sharpener vertically to eliminate the possibility of the lead catching and breaking off after the removal of the pencil.
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Grab a trashcan and position yourself directly over top of it. When you sharpen your pencils, the tiny bits of wood and lead will go into the trash, not onto the floor.
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Gently and slowly turn the sharpener in a clockwise direction, until you start seeing wooden shavings fall off from the bottom of the sharpener. Turn it about three or four turns, then take the pencil out of the sharpener to observe the length of the lead.
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Check to see if the lead is slightly above the wooden base of the pencil. If you can see the color poking out, you can use your pencil. It is not recommended to sharpen the tip as high as it will go, because it will be more likely to break off and you will waste your lead.
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Put your pencil back into the sharpener and give it about two more turns, if you have not seen the colored lead yet.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a knife with a super sharp blade, if you do not have a sharpener. Keep the pencil out in front of you away from your body. Use tight quick strokes to carve the wood off of the pencil lead. Carve so that your arm is gong away from your body as you carve. (You should be motioning outwards.)
Do not accidentally chop off the colored pencil lead. Take your time as you carve. Keep sharp knives away from children.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit colored pencils image by Ivonne Wierink from Fotolia.com
