It's so difficult to part with people, places, and things that have meant a lot to you or your practice as an educator.
Yet, today I'll push myself forward in this regard as I part with a large number of items my students and I no longer use.
With each object, I'll ask, "Have my students or I used that in the past year or two? and "Is this something I can't teach without?" If the answer to those questions is no, then out it goes!
Less encumbered teaching/learning environments provide more time and space for student creativity, learning, and voice.
Less things, more time.
Moving on.
Note:
This is a good, related article from the Boston Globe.
