Confessions of a former laminator junkie

 I used to LOVE laminating!  I laminated whatever I could.  I thought the finished products looked professional and beautiful.  I even liked the smell of the laminator when it was hot and ready for use.

In my human journey I have learned a lot about the environmental impact of human created waste and toxins caused by plastic.  I have worked diligently to reduce the amount of waste I create.  I realized that any paper I laminated could no longer be recycled or composted.  All those carefully laminated displays and posters would eventually wind up in a landfill. Any special projects I sent home with my students would also, eventually end up in a landfill (maybe sooner than I was hoping when I laboriously laminated and and cut out my student's super special projects).   I also had to admit to myself that I spent a lot of my time laminating and cutting out laminated projects, time I would never get back.  I quit, cold turkey.  I still have laminated posters and classroom displays that I use but I don't create any new ones.  At the end of the school year, when teachers are cleaning out classrooms, I can't help but notice how many laminated items wind up in the garbage.  This strengthens my resolve and, honestly, I don't miss it.  If you love laminating, I challenge you to try to cut down on your laminating.  I promise it will make a difference.

Upcycled books

 

Has this ever happened to you?  You are ready at the copier and plan to print 20 copies of a specific paper but, oops, slip of the finger, moment of distraction and a zero gets add.  Before you realize it, you've printed 200 copies.  Before you toss the extras in the recycle bin, try making student journals!  Simply fold the papers in half so the printed side is inside and the blank side is outside.  Staple 3-5 pages into a small book.  Repeat and Viola!  A class set of journals ready for whatever learning the kiddos want to create.

I also have a group of parent volunteers who, want to help but can't come into school (especially during the COVID era).  They do all kinds of sorting, cutting and organizing and are more than willing make these! 

A piece of no longer needed bulletin board boarder adds a bit of flair.

Taping the bottom edge of the pages allows pages to be used as pockets.

Two types of upcycled journals or student books.

Personalize Hallway Display

For several years I have wanted to showcase student work in a way that recognizes the creator of that work and is in keeping with my goal of sustainability, I wanted to avoid the waste of time and resources involved in laminating, taping and stapling projects to walls and bulletin boards.  Another teacher started hanging photos of their students in the hallways using diploma frames from the dollar store.  This gave me the idea to create my own, reusable frames that could display work by using clothes pins, hot glued to the frames as a quick and zero waste display method.  I used 3 clothes pins per frame to accommodate different sized projects.  When it is time to switch projects, the student finds their frame, I unclip the old project and hand it to the student to take home and then clip on the new project.  Kids love seeing their photos and showing their work this way.  As a bonus, if they forget to write their name on their projects and I don't catch it, it is easy to to identify their work.

Each child's name and photo are displayed in the frame and the work is hung below on clothespins.

Each frame is hung by a loop of yarn to a push pin/thumb tack.  These are surprisingly sturdy.  I've only had frames fall when acted upon by outside forces.  If the glass breaks I rehang the frame without it.

At the end of the school year, the student takes home their photo and I keep the frames for the next year.