Cleaning Up Schools

Works4Me presents weekly practical classroom tips from real experts -- your colleagues!

1. Mystery Trash

From Stacy Kasse, a third grade teacher at Taunton Forge School in Medford, New Jersey:

"At the end of the day, I find something on the floor that doesn't belong there. The students are given one minute to dash through the room, pick up things, put things away, and throw things in the garbage. At the end of the minute, the students sit down, and I announce who has found the mystery item. The student gets a credit, sticker or some type of reward. This clean up has made my job easier and our custodian very happy at the end of the day."
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2. High School Clean Up

From Nicole Dewell, a dual enrollment teacher at Eagle Valley High School in Valley Road, Gypsum, Colorado:

"Years ago I learned this trick from an amazing fellow teacher. A minute prior to the dismissal of a class, inform students that their ticket out of class is X pieces of trash. Vary the number each day, depending on how messy the floor is. I've found this procedure reduces the trash for several reasons. First, students don't litter as much because they understand that they will be responsible for picking up the trash. Second, students exert peer pressure not to litter, as students will be cleaning up each other's trash. Third, students automatically pick up trash even if I forgot to ask them to do so, as it becomes an ingrained habit. The custodians appreciate that my room is always relatively clean, the students learn responsibility and I don't spend my own time cleaning up after school. It?s an all-around win-win situation!"
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3. Question of the Week: Television as a Teaching Tool

From the Smart Television Alliance:

"Has there been a time television has served as a great teaching tool? Or, on the other hand, have you ever tried to utilize a TV show or newscast in the classroom and bombed completely? Smart News, the online newsletter of the Smart Television Alliance (smarttelevisionalliance.org) is looking for personal stories to share with readers. Please share your experiences with us."
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4. Kids Say the Darndest Things

Heard Last Week in the Works4Me Lounge:

"Had one of those "kids say the darndest things" moments with your students lately? Tell us about any explanations, verbal slips, or misunderstandings that gave you a gentle chuckle lately. (Please leave your full name, city and state.)"
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