Thrifty Thursday ~ Saving Paper

Does your school have rules, procedures, and/or limitations on your classroom copies?

Over the last few years, in an effort to save on paper costs, we've gone from being able to run whatever we wanted without keeping any real count going to having to have our copies approved by an Instructional Coach and using an ID number if we need to run our own copies to being limited on the number of copies per day to having our copies approved by the principal...and in some cases justifying why we need that specific sheet copied...and in some cases being turned down.


It's a necessary sign of the times.  I know that.

It's also much better for our planet. I know that.

Is it an inconvenience?  I'd be lying if I said no.

Does it sometimes feel like we're begin treated like children?  Again, the answer has to be yes.



It's one of those deals where a few who try to get away with too much and work around the system keep getting the system tightened and tightened for the rest of us.



If it means less furlough days and fewer lost jobs for my teaching pals, then I'm all for it!

However, I think these procedures have made me and my curriculum partners really think about what we are choosing to give our students.




Is if really something they need a copy of?  OR can they create a Thinking Map on their own to serve the same, or maybe even better, purpose?

Do they need everything on the copy we've given them in the past?  OR can we edit or recreate something more concise?

For example, in the past we ran off writing prompts with lines for students to use for their paragraphs.

Why?  They have their own paper {or at least they are supposed to}.

I've edited the prompts to fit two per page and then only printed six or eight copies.  Once cut in half, this has been plenty for writing prompts that students typically do after quizzes or tests, or as a station.  They're not all needing the prompts at the same time.  My paper use was cut from 125 copies to eight.  Then add in the cost of toner, etc., and it does add it rather quickly!

We've also done a few things in class sets where the copies are placed in sheet protectors for practice problems.  At the end of class, the sheet protector is wiped clean and ready for use in the next class period.

In the end, we have been able to drastically cut down on the amount of paper we are using for copies this year.

What's the copy procedure like at your school?  What are some creative ways you've found to cut down on the number of copies you need?

I'd LOVE to hear your ideas!

Enjoy :)