There are many ways that one could interpret the phrase, "it's the little things that count." In my case it could be as simple as the little people that I work with every day. But, the reality is that this little phrase means so much more. As a teacher you learn that it is the little things, the everyday mundane tasks, the routines/processes/procedures, that make the classroom become a learning environment in which you have students that feel comfortable and confident in what they are doing, how they are doing it, and why they are doing it.
Last year, as a first year teacher, these little things never crossed my mind (that is, until I was in the moment and realized that I should probably have had a plan for whatever situation occurred to make me think of said little things). This year I am trying to think of all of these little situations in advance so that they do not become big situations (or even little situations to begin with). One of the situations that I am working on right now, as I set up my classroom, are classroom supplies.
Supplies. This is a little thing that quickly becomes a big thing. Some students are possessive of their items; some will hand out all of their belongings to their friends (only to ask for them back a couple of days later when they realize that they no longer have them in their possession); some like to sneakily build up their individual crayon collection by "accidentally" placing other students' crayons in their personal box. Well, you get the point. Last year I lost so much instruction time due to dealing with school supply controversies that this year I am attempting to squelch the issue before it ever arises. I am creating table caddies that will be replenished with the supplies that students bring to school (assuming they bring supplies to school). Take a look!
My students will have access to these little caddies which should contain all of the needed materials for completing any projects that they are assigned. Within the caddy there is one section that contains a pencil cup, a pencil sharpener, and a couple of erasers. Another section contains scissors, and yet another, crayons. The glue is separate, and that is what you would find in the little storage container if you were to open it up. This little box has school glue in the bottom of it. That glue is then covered with sponges that absorb the glue so that when students are gluing all they need to do is swipe their piece of paper that is needing to be stuck to something else across the sponge. Just enough glue rubs off onto their paper for it to stick. This will hopefully eliminate one of my big little problems from last year - glue.
Glue is incredible. It sticks things together and helps you to create. It can also be spread all over your hands and dry there so that you can peel it off. It can create a pool of white liquid on a project that didn't necessarily require any glue at all. In the form of a stick it can be wound all of the way to the top and then break off of its base to become a sticky ball of goo that gets on and in everything. If lids are not closed properly the glue dries out and will not work. Glue can become disastrous in the hands of a five or six year old. Hopefully with the correct structuring this glue system will prevent a lot of headaches.
It's the little things. And glue is a little thing.
Community supplies are wonderful!!! It was hard for some parents at first, but after some explaining about how some of our kids do not bring supplies and then would feel left out when they have don't have what everyone else has, or little Johnny has a box of 64 crayons but little Billy only had 8...you get the idea. They finally come around and understand. I think I am going to do personal pencil boxes this year since I have first grade and now have desks in my room instead of tables and see how that goes again. Good luck with the little things :-)
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