You know how sometimes you pull back a shelf and discover that game piece that went missing weeks ago? Or, just when you’ve put away all the little pieces to a manipulative set, you find one in the classroom and don’t want to drag out the whole thing for one piece?
What about things that break and you’re too busy to fix them? Or, something breaks, but you can’t find the missing piece until months later?
Here’s a quick, simple tip for those loose parts and broken pieces you find in your classroom.
Just get a box, label it “Missing and Broken”, and keep it in a handy spot in your storage closet or on a shelf in the classroom. Anytime you come across a “missing” piece or broken item in the classroom, just toss it in the box. When you need it, you can get it out.
At the end of the year, look through your box. Throw away the things you know you won’t need or can’t fix. Or, fix the ones you can. Round up the little pieces that need to be sorted and put back in a game or manipulative set. This saves a lot of time during the year when you have lots of little ones needing your attention.
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I would like to thank you for all your wonderful ideas that you have shared with all of us. I have used many of them this year and all of them have been a big hit! Thank you again for sharing!!!
Thanks, Diane! I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the site!
Karen, I have a missing parts box that I have kept for many years. I have used many of the items to create new games or activities. This is an easy way to recycle parts and pieces especially when there is little to no funds for new materials. Thanks for sharing your great ideas with everyone! Rosemary
Thanks, Rosemary! That’s a great way to use them.
Thank you for sharing so many wonderful ideas and your love for teaching with us! I have a version of the ‘missing and broken’ bucket in my classroom (I ended up with 2 this year….it was a busy year!) and I find it to be very useful. Now that the year is winding down I had time to clean them out. It was fun to think back on the semester as I sorted everything. Have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks, Elaine! Yes, it’s funny what ends up there, huh?
Thanks Caren I use to wonder what to do with broken pieces. Great to join you.