Clearing Classroom Clutter
As the school year approaches, Doug from Borderland, self-described "organizational rebel," determines to come to grips with his disorderly habits and rid his classroom of all the unnecessary clutter:
I will be ruthless. Old workbooks, lesson plans, my classroom library, science materials…all must be given a brief but hard look before I decide if they are worth putting someplace besides the “pile” that is going out the door.
I am good at this purging. I do it every year. But this time is different. I’m burning bridges. Anything that’s really worth keeping is already in my head or on the hard drive of a computer.
…I admire people with tidy file drawers and neat desk tops. They have labels on folders that actually describe what’s in them. But it’s time for me to face reality. I will never be like that.
After 24 years, maybe I’ve learned something.
Get RSS Feed
Comments
Way to go!
I'm moving to a new room this year - and all of my treasures are in piles around the gym. I hope I will be able to be as ruthless as you plan when I decide what gets moved into the new space.
Good luck!
Posted by: KIm | August 16, 2007 10:18 AM
Boy, do I admire you!
I am an inner-city high school Biology teacher, certfied to teach all physical and biological sciences. I am so afraid to get rid of materials and supplies because I never know when I'll be assigned to teach which course. I think that if I can just get rid of the excess paper, then I'll have done something good for myself and my students.
Posted by: Beth | August 16, 2007 1:00 PM
Did you actually use it ? Was it effective ?
Is it still relevant ?
If not three yesses, probably dump it !
Posted by: Dvae | August 16, 2007 4:55 PM
I've been better at getting rid of things since I moved to high school after teaching 10 yrs at elementary and 10 at middle, inner-city, special ed.
However, I'm now sharing a room (we both teach three periods) with a real pack rat and it's driving me nuts. Her stuff is everywhere, all the time!
It's good to purge.
Posted by: jan | August 26, 2007 9:57 PM