It’s just about time for Spring cleaning.
Many of us usually feel better once we’ve given our home a spring cleaning and removed any items that we no longer need.
The same can be done in your classroom. Look around and decide what can go. Have you not used that class set of laminated world maps in more than a decade? Chances are students might be looking at a map on their device. It is probably time to finally toss them.
Ask yourself a simple question:
When was the last time anyone used this? Was it a year ago? Two? Perhaps even longer? It’s possible to have kept things you never even knew you had for that long, but if it is the case it is likely time to throw it out.
A good general rule of thumb is if an item hasn’t been used in six months by you or your students, it can probably find a new home (in the trash or recycled for a makerspace).
While decluttering your learning space, you can also declutter the instructional and learning practices taking place in your class. Look at everything that you do, and make sure that tasks, routines, and procedures are meaningful. If they are not productive for you or students, it’s also time to get rid of them.
After all, it’s just about time for Spring cleaning.
Rich (@RACzyz)