As the days become longer and the weather grows increasingly warmer, it also becomes time to do some good old-fashioned spring cleaning. You may be giving extra attention to your household chores and to cleaning out your car, but if you’re a teacher, you will want to do some polishing up in your classroom as well. Continue reading for some classroom cleaning tips. Tis’ the season!
Wipe Down All Surfaces
The COVID-19 pandemic has trained us well in wiping down surfaces and being extra attentive to germs. However, spring is also a time to wipe down the surfaces that may not get touched much. Yes, even the top of the bookshelf you can’t ever seem to reach. If you want to keep your classroom clear of dust collecting on surfaces, make sure you take a feather duster or washcloth to all surfaces in your classroom, even those that are hard to reach.
Throw Away Unnecessary Papers, Supplies, Etc.
Has your desk become cluttered with unnecessary items? Now is the time to trash items or papers you no longer need so you can have a pristine workspace, which will result in you having fewer distractions and more room to focus on your current duties. Additionally, you will be leading by example by having a clean workspace. Your students will see your commitment to tidiness and will feel more encouraged to create a well-kept workspace for themselves.
Bring Out New Decorations
By this time, your students will most likely be feeling a little unmotivated. It is natural to feel this way by this point in the school year. However, you have an enormous influence over this as their teacher. You can make your classroom an exciting new environment to walk into by bringing out some unique spring decorations. Both you and your students will feel inspired and rejuvenated by the new surroundings. Having a happier classroom environment will lead to more motivated students!
Introduce Some Greenery
Spring is a great time to invest in some plants for your classroom. Younger students may enjoy planting seeds with you and watching them grow by the window. If you have older students, it might be better to purchase some more grown plants. Either way, the introduction of plants into the classroom will greatly benefit both you and your students. Plants are proven to increase focus and attention, creating a win-win situation!
If spring cleaning seems like a daunting task for you, perhaps you could have your students join in on the fun and help you out. Even if you take ten minutes away from your lesson plan to have them help you clean, it will make a huge difference. It will help you attain a clean classroom more quickly and give your students a much-needed break from their seats.