The Garbage Can Inevitably, some students and teachers enter our schools and classrooms each day carrying any number of problems: frustration, anger, fear, disappointment, rejection, jealousy, hunger, etc. Before they leave home in the morning many have encountered conflict. As you begin a new year, welcoming your new students and setting the tone for your class, introduce your students to "The Garbage Can." Explain that this room, which is yours and theirs together, is a positive place for learning. Tell the students that you understand that they are often carrying a lot of problems, that you'll refer to as garbage, by the time they get to school: they may have gotten up late, missed the bus, had an argument, etc. That garbage is distracting and might get in the way of the learning that will happen here. So, outside the door they may have noticed the garbage can (imaginary.) That's for them to drop all that negative stuff and those negative feelings they may have brought to school with them. If they really want to carry them around all day, they can pick them back out of the garbage can on their way out of class. When students come in grumpy, just quietly point to the door and say, "You forgot The Garbage Can." The humor disarms them and gives them an opportunity to refocus. CURRICULUM INDEX
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