10 ways to save paper in the classroom.

A variety of small ways can make a big difference in how much paper you use in your classroom.

Turns out that paper is packaged in plastic

We all know how much paper we go through as teachers. Worksheets, testing, instructions, posters, activities, meetings. It's devastating to know the rate at which trees are cut down for paper, not to mention the amount of energy that goes into recycling paper. I used to think that because paper is so easily recyclable, it would be okay to keep using hoards of it. Turns out that paper is packaged in plastic… So every “box” of paper your school purchases, is contributing to the plastic problem the world is up against. I also learnt that mass amounts of energy is used to recycle and that recycling companies are inundated and often cannot keep up with the amount needed to be recycled. This is why recycling is always a last resort.

So, what are my paper saving tips? Before we begin, keep in mind that every little bit helps, it really does! Don’t ever think that a small way of cutting down wont make a difference in the long run.

Printing errors are great for art, scrap paper and other worksheets.

1. Sharing. Ask yourself: Could my students share this worksheet between two and answer in their books? In a class of 30, if you did this for one activity a day for one month, you would save 300 sheets of paper. BOOM.

2. Project the activity or worksheet onto a board/ smart board for your students to do in their books. Not only does this save paper, but it teaches your students how to set out their work and write neatly.

3. Write on the board. Similar to number 2, write the questions on the board for your students to copy. Old school.

4. Assess differently. Before using a worksheet, try deciding if it is an activity that your students could act out, do in their books, or make themselves. For example, after learning what homophones are, your students could create their own sentences using homophones, test a partner, create a rap on homophones, create a poster, teach a buddy or you could do a kahoots quiz to check for understanding. https://kahoot.com/

5. Always print double sided with more than one page per student. Your students will learn what “flap sticking” means and be able to do this well with time.

6. Fit more than one activity on a page. Make the writing smaller, use wider margins and try to fit 2 or more on a page to cut down on the number of pages.

7. Print booklets. For tests and assessments that consist of more than 5 pages it is totally worth printing them in a booklet. All you need to do is select the booklet printer setting. Most copiers will do all the back to back printing for you.

8. Use the back of scrap paper. Collect printing mistakes and print on the back.

9. Use technology. Ipads, tablets, laptops, computers. There are dozens of apps out there and amazing educational videos, interactive activities and games that are FREE. Similarly, go digital for lesson planning and meeting forms. Create a planner on your computer, use digital calendars and don’t print out lesson plans.

10. Be creative with art projects. Use old newspapers, old books, old cardboard boxes and other recyclable items to create beautiful art.