returning safely to the classroom during Covid-19: classroom libraries and supplies

First let me say this; I am not an expert.

I have never taught during a pandemic or anything like what educators are going to embark on this year. 

I do have 16 years of teaching experience in grades K-4. I have a bachelors and Masters degree in Elementary Ed. I have worked all but one of those years in Title 1 schools. 

With that being said, this blog series is my effort in creating solutions most teachers are worrying about. A way for us to hopefully work together and support one another. 

 

This week I am going to tackle the classroom library and supplies.

 

The Classroom Library-

 

Concern: Multiple students perusing the shelves at once. 

Solution: Create scheduled ‘shopping times.’ 

-Be specific with expectations and even set a timer (because we all know we have those Looky-Loos that will take all day). 

-Schedule them throughout the entire week and only allow 1 shopper at a time.

-Think about germs with this as well; Will you have them use sanitizer first? Will you have students wash hands after? Will you spray Lysol on books before the next one? Will you spread the student shopping times way out to allow time for germs to ‘disappear’?

-If they need an additional shopping time because they complete a book or it isn’t the right fit, create a system for your room. Will it be as simple as them raising their hands and then you create a list? Will they place a sign on their desk to let you know?

 

Concern: Returning books to shelves with germs on them.

Solution: Create a bin for students to return them to and allow time for quarantine. 24-48 hours with a possible light spray of disinfectant should suffice. You can find the above poster as a FREEBIE in my TPT store or by click here. 

-Please keep in mind that everyday students may need to return books, and more than one return bin may be needed. 

-Create an expectation and routine for how this is done. Reducing student movement in the classroom will more than likely be our new norm. 

Will you collect those books at the end of the day by walking around with the bin yourself?

Will you just monitor them one at a time with their masks on?

 

 

 

Supplies-

 

Concern: Classroom shared supplies such as white boards, clip boards, and markers.

Solution: Those classroom supplies that we used to house in one location, are now a thing of the past. Students will now need to house all ‘classroom teacher-owned items’ in their own desks. This will keep movement in the classroom (and sanitizing of supplies) to a minimum. If you do not have desks in your room, utilizing a bin from the dollar store or crates may contain the items for you. 

 

Concern: Mixing up items between students. 

Solution: LABEL, LABEL, LABEL! If you can stick a label on it, DO IT! Whether it is their actual name or an assigned number in class, this will be pertinent to making sure things do not get shared. Pencils (using washi tape is a great way or simply using a sharpie to write on them), textbooks, glue sticks, dry erase markers, cubbies, book bins, etc. 

 

Concern: Housing personal items from home- such as backpacks, water bottles, and lunch boxes.

Solution: It is going to be imperative that we keep these items separate. We can no longer have the big bin to place these things in or set them on the counter. I’ve never been a fan of hanging backpacks on chairs (it’s messy, they can easily access things they shouldn’t, they are trip hazards), however this will be my solution this year. Using hooks (unless spread out well) will allow them to touch one another. Using cubbies (my usual go-to) allows for some separation but touching can still occur, and student interaction will be high at arrival and dismissal. Keeping them at their seats will allow them to keep their lunchboxes and water bottles safely secure as well. 

 

*As with the start of any beginning of the year, expectations/rules/procedures will need to be taught. Obviously, district and school mandates need to be followed first and foremost. 

 

As we embark on this new world of masks, shields, 6 feet apart, desks, no group work, plexiglass dividers, and whatever else gets thrown at us… we need to work together. 

Like I said at the beginning, I am not an expert at teaching in a classroom during Covid-19. If you have ideas, suggestions, or worries…. Please leave a positive/helpful comment below to add to this ‘discussion.’

 

teach. create. love life.