Collecting Crap---Is It Just A Teacher Thing?

If you have ever been a classroom teacher you know what I'm talking about.
For those of you that haven't been a teacher I will try and explain the phenomenon that I call "collecting crap."

It seems to come naturally when you are a teacher. Every thing that passes through your hands or you find in the junk drawer or see sitting unused at someones house or see behind a store or shop "wants to be saved" just in case it can be put to some use in the classroom. Especially in preschool classrooms that are set up in learning centers. Those centers require a lot of stuff!

I don't know if it's just me or not, but I seem to still have the urge to collect. Even though I have been out of the classroom for several years, I still find myself thinking, "This extra wrapping paper would look good on a display board or I wonder if anyone would want these bottle tops for a loose parts basket."

So, one day while I was cleaning out extra office supplies, crinkled tissue paper, wrapping paper scraps, and extra pens and pencils, I had an epiphany.  Rather than throw this seemingly useless stuff away, I could put it in a bag and take it to a classroom!

In other words, I could keep my obsession alive!

Here is a short list of things that I have collected and donated.

- Empty paper towel tubes (they work great for art projects). No toilet paper tubes, however, because that's just yucky.
- Tissue paper (all colors and mostly pre-crinkled)
- Boxes of all sizes. They can be turned into cars, boats, or blocks.
- Books that children and grandchildren have outgrown.
- Stickers (that come in the mail)
- Pens, pencils, markers that are extra and just cluttering up a desk drawer.
- Magazines ( child friendly, of course). They are also great for the art center.
- Calendars. These often have pictures of nature, animals, people, and artwork.
- Tape ( clear packing tape, scotch tape, or rolls of painters tape)
- Notepads (sticky notes or notepads from hotels or meetings)
- Wrapping paper ( large and small pieces)
- Gift bags that are no longer wanted or needed
- Paper plates and napkins left over from birthday parties or holidays.

There are a couple of rules that I follow:

1. I make sure that the teacher or teachers actually want my crap. The current center where I am sharing my joy assures me that they "love my crap."
2. I do try to make sure things are as clean as they can be and are actually usable.

So, my friends, if you are cleaning out drawers or closets and come across some wonderful items and think, "Why in the heck do I have this crap?" remember this post and find a classroom with whom to share the joy.

That's it for now.
Check back later!