What is chalk used for?

Chalk is a standard school supply for teachers who use it to write on chalkboards. It consists of a soft, fine-grained stone, which can be easily erased from chalkboards. This is convenient for teachers who need to reuse their chalkboards regularly. There is also sidewalk chalk designed for outdoor use, which teachers may want in their toolkit for outdoor art projects. Sidewalk chalk tends to be thicker than classroom chalk.

Popular brands of chalk include:

Crayola chalk

Prang chalk

Cra-Z-Art chalk

What colors does chalk come in?

Traditionally, chalk is white. However, chalk also comes in various colors, including red, orange, green, blue, and yellow. Teachers may like to use different colors to make learning and note-taking more engaging for kids.

White chalk

Colored chalk

What is dustless chalk?

Traditional chalk tends to leave a dust-like residue, resulting in chalk particles entering the air. Dustless chalk is made of a unique composition of chemicals designed to reduce particulate matter. This can be preferable for classrooms with young children who may have allergies or asthma, both of which can be triggered by particles in the air. However, dustless chalk is still not 100% particle-free. As an alternative, teachers may prefer whiteboards.

Dustless chalk

How can I reduce chalk dust?

To reduce chalk dust in the classroom, wash the chalkboard daily with water. Additionally, when erasing the chalkboard, move the eraser downward in slow, deliberate strokes. Don’t rapidly move it in circles.

What’s the difference between chalkboard and sidewalk chalk?

Chalkboard chalk is intended for use on chalkboards in instructional settings. It can be easily removed with a chalkboard dry eraser. Sidewalk chalk is designed for outdoor settings, such as on sidewalks. It requires water to remove. It’s made of mineral gypsum and is popular for art projects.

For example, kids may want to use sidewalk chalk to create murals or sketch out games like hopscotch. Sidewalk chalk may also be known as washable chalk since it rinses away with water.

Washable chalk