If you have ever watched little ones learn how to use scissors, you know how many little bits of paper you can end up with all over the table and floor when some of them try to cut out even the simplest of shapes. For those of you who can’t relate, imagine taking a piece of paper and trimming the edges, a little piece at a time until you are left with the shape you want. Now imagine trying to get all those bits from wherever they landed into the classroom recycle bin. Not an easy feat to say the least!
One simple trick I learned from a colleague a few years back is to put mini-recycle bins on each table. I teach my students from day 1 to put all their little scraps into these bins and they are emptied when we are all done cutting. This simple little trick really helps make clean-up time easier.
My students use mini green recycling bins for all their paper scraps when doing cutting activities.
Our table-top recycling bins
Hurray for Play 
We do that in our craft room except we save the paper for little projects-never know when you’re going to use them.
That is a good idea! I try to limit the size of paper I give out in the first place but still pick out the bigger pieces, esspecially when I know they will be used in the near future.
Love it! Such a great idea! I always keep a small recycling bin close by but this is even BETTER! Thanks!
Keep checking back and maybe one day I’ll have another trick or two for you (or maybe you’ll be able to share one with me!).