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Lesson Plans


Clean-up Ideas

From: DRITTART
Date: Sun Mar 05 2000 - 20:34:34 PST

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    I've been teaching forever, 35 years, and I've come up with a few ideas I
    stand by. For cleanup with my 1st through 5th graders, I always check their
    group tables to see how each table did. They know that I expect them to put
    everything neatly at the end of their tables. Glue must be clean, closed and
    standing up like soldiers. Scissors must be pointed down in the can. Pencils
    must be lead up, so I can see which ones need sharpening and so that when
    students get their pencils they don't stand their all day looking for just
    the "right" one, they can tell immediately. I have a long box that I have
    fixed like a coffin, it is for "dead" markers. Markers are only buried when
    they are truly dead. Markers must be put in the cans with the color side up.
    I only use newsprint for placemats, so that we don't have to cleanup
    newsprint ink. Water cups for painting are filled only half full, so that
    they can carry them without spilling. A sink is assigned to each table. I
    usually put out two stacks of everything, so that two lines can form to pick
    up materials at the same time. I use washable old placemats for clay. I
    have many more tricks. But, my best discovery is the "Car Wash!" I tell
    them that if they are really good, that I will "let" them have it. I stand at
    the sink and ask a group to come up and give each one of them a sponge I
    have damped and squeezed out (so they don't make a mess all over the floor
    and so it doesn't take for ever to dry). They pretend that they are at a car
    wash and wash and dry their "car" with newsprint. We usually just use water.
    I get the whole room washed in less than five minutes and they have had a
    good time. They ask for it all the time. I also have learned to keep a box
    of baby-wipes to use on my hands all day. I use the slightly used wipe to
    clean off any messy tables while I wait for the next class. I think that it
    would be fun and useful to make a list of these ideas. It really is the
    little things that make or break a smooth day! Darlene in Phoenix. 

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