Please share your thoughts in the comments!
Classroom
Maintenance For Teachers
Schools across the country have re-opened for a brand new
year. Your classroom probably started clean as a whistle, but after a few weeks
back, you've probably noticed that clutter has made its way back. As a teacher,
there are a number of things you can do to maintain an organized, functional
learning space throughout the school year. Make sure your classroom stays safe,
stocked, and ready for learning with these tips!
·
Check
your classroom furniture. Check your desk supply to ensure it stays stocked
with plenty of paper and pens. Do weekly checks of your desk to ensure that all
of the legs are intact, drawers work effortlessly, and there are no major
scratches or dents on the surfaces. You should also check any shelving units
that you have around the classroom to ensure they are properly anchored to
walls, and that all screws and nails are in place. Also examine the
construction of student's desks or tables throughout the school year. Anything
out of the ordinary should be fixed so that students who enter the classroom avoid
injury.
·
Check your classroom's safety. Similarly
each week, you should check for any questions of classroom safety. Make sure
than any cords, wires, and other tripping hazards are tucked away or taped down
to the floor. Keep heavy books on low bookshelves to prevent them from toppling
down onto a student. Most importantly, check that all of the outlets, lights,
and other electrical
components are working in your classroom.
If a bulb is missing or not working properly, or any wiring is exposed
in your classroom, let the janitorial staff at your school know so they can
have the problem fixed as soon as possible. Exposed wires and unprotected
outlets can potentially be dangerous to students, so having these problems addressed
should be a top priority.
·
Keep your
classroom stocked for students. Before you head to the store, take an
inventory of the supplies you already have. Check pens and markers to make sure
they still have ink, and pencils and crayons to make sure there's still enough
left of them to use! Toss any supplies that might be broken or too worn to use,
as well as scraps of paper or dated assignments that are no longer relevant. Then,
create a list of supplies you'll need to pick up at the store. Many office
supply stores offer discounts to teachers, so be sure to ask about those types
of loyalty programs when you shop.
·
Give your
classroom a quick clean. While your school probably has a custodial staff
and cleaning systems set in place, you may want to give your classroom a quick
dusting at the end of each week, just to freshen up the space. Clear away
clutter from shelving units and desktops. Use a minimalistic approach when
decorating your classroom. If you want to hang a recent assignment on the wall to
boost classroom morale, hang it up! Consider using decorative pieces sparingly to
avoid clogging the walls with too much distraction. Your desktop should be
clear and ready for you to work at the following week, so toss any scraps of
paper or past assignments that are no longer needed. -
Make sure your classroom is a safe, healthy learning
environment throughout the entire year with these cleaning tips.
1 comment:
(First comment deleted due to errors on my part) I do not like your phrase "before you head to the store" regarding classroom supplies....sorry, but the district/school should be supplying a teachers classroom with these materials. I put this comment in the same basket as those talking about the "teacher gives grades," as opposed to being honest about the level of student effort, achievement, etc.
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