My students
often lovingly bring me art work from home.
They know I’m pleased to see their work so I’m often gifted with papers of
random words they are proud to be able to write. I get
pages pulled from coloring books and paint by number masterpieces of princesses
and frequent I love Mrs. Kidder notes. Any
item I’m given is admired and hung up in the room with great ceremony.
My 1950’s
style classroom has few bulletin boards or even areas I can use for
display. One wall has windows with
counters below and 7 foot tall bulletin boards that reach to the ceiling. These boards are accessible only with a step
ladder. The front of the room is dominated by a Smart Board and a tall
bookshelf. I use magnets to attach student created
artwork to the metal of the door jam.
When the space is totally full I remove the gifts, and the guilt
begins.
I don’t want to toss these offerings in the
trash; I know the pride and love behind these items, I can’t keep them, yet
tossing them pains me. I take them home to
dispose of them. I tell them I’ve taken
them home so show Mr. Kidder. I hope
they think I’ve got them on my refrigerator, not in the trashcan next to
it. Oh the pain of love.
I understand your pain, but really? Don't beat yourself up when it becomes part of the circular file, you know more will be coming. Think recycle and you are saving the earth. Doesn't help, I know. :(
ReplyDeleteThey will remember the ceremony in which you received the gift and the way you made them feel. You are so thoughtful.
ReplyDeleteLori,
ReplyDeleteI love when the kids give me something they've made, but it is hard to keep it all. I've started taking digital pictures of them and placing them in a folder for the year. I tell the kids they are so amazing I don't ever want to forget them and sometimes they actually do come in handy. I'm sure they know how much you love it.
Cathy
I was just thinking of what Cathy shared above. It's the same with my children's work. I would take pictures of them to treasure. You need a ditial picture frame to hold them all.
ReplyDelete