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.

The Recycling Bin

It is important for the teacher to recognize that some students carry problems that can't be discarded. For example, some must return to situations of abuse and neglect. You can introduce your students to the Recycling Bin which, in their mind's eye, sits next to the Garbage Can. Students can be encouraged to see the Recycling Bin as a place where they might put garbage that they would like at some future time to "retrieve," to process with the teacher or another caring adult. The teacher may be able to assist the student in resolving the conflict or may refer the student to an appropriate professional.

The image makes it possible to think of the good use to which "trash" can be put. We recycle something that does not serve us well in its present form in order to make it into something worthwhile. The image not only deals respectfully with student conflicts; it also allows students to either recognize that conflicts can produce positive benefits when dealt with in a constructive manner or, at least, to see that the negative consequences can be reduced.

Developed by Anita Whitely, OSU, Ursuline Academy of Cleveland.