Less Classroom Waste

OK- here's one for teachers, particularly primary and kindergarten teachers.

There is a heap of waste that is generated by classrooms- think of all the projects, posters and worksheets that students complete in the course of a year. In a class of 25, it really adds up. As teachers are the ones planning tasks and materials, the amount of waste is something they can control. Here are some simple ideas to reduce waste- some are pretty standard, but important so included here. Would love to hear some more!

1. Worksheets: challenge yourself to a worksheet-free week. We had a literacy expert at our school recently and that was her advice- although her motive was to have activities that encouraged group work and talking about a task. Also, instead of each student getting a copy, could you make one per group? Smaller A5 copies? As long as the text is readable and user-friendly, there are many ways to use less paper.

2. Have a "one-side used" box next to the printer.

3. Work out how to print double-sided.

4. Think before you laminate! Laminating is a joy of the job- it keeps everything looking new, bright, clean and professional. The thing is, when you laminate you are increasing the item's lifespan by a huge amount (paper vs.plastic). So, consider: is it going to be handled everyday, or often? Is it something you will use again and again throughout your teaching career (at least five years)? If it is just going to be on a wall for a year, put some sticky tape on the back of each corner to strengthen it.

5. Think about how students present their work. Do all writing pieces need to be printed out and mounted on coloured card? How else could they be presented? Emailed to teacher, saved to a class folder? All important skills!

6. Have a classroom REUSE box for bits of paper and card that are big enough to still be useful in projects. Also have a RECYCLE box for paper that won't be reused. The idea of what is useful and what is not will vary in a class and may need to be reiterated. Encourage students to go to the REUSE box before getting a new sheet.

7. Waste heat and light energy: keep the doors closed when the heater is on and lights off when not needed. Enough said, right? ResourceSmart have FREE thermometers that have a guide for heating and cooling- if it gets above a certain temp., put on the fans and vice versa. Having a lights monitor can be useful too- plus one to turn off computers (including screen).

8. Use old plastic containers in the classroom. Squeezie tomato sauce or mustard bottles are great for paint- means less spillage. Art and technolgy projects can use reused materials.

So yes, these are habits of resourceful teachers everywhere...any more ideas for me?? Cheers!! :)