Glue From Bonnie Feather, a first grade at DeMiguel School in Flagstaff, Arizona: ìI find that first graders and glue don't always mix well. This idea saves on glue waste, saves by buying large containers of school glue and prevents over-application of glue, along with giving students some responsibility for their own supplies. I refill three large school glue bottles periodically. From these, students fill plastic lids from milk containers. They usually provide one for every two children at the table. Students put the lids on recyclable, used paper, preventing a mess at their tables. To apply glue, children use little plastic sticks from those cheese and cracker packs. They love to save the sticks from their recess snacks and lunches. My students have even enlisted students from other classes to save the glue sticks. I have been having students collect these sticks and lids for several years, so I have enough to use for a week without washing them. When the gluing is finished, one child from the table usually puts the lids and sticks into a plastic gallon container filled with water. This container has a large hole cut out on the side but the handle remains on and children can carry it to the sink to wash it out. Children are responsible for washing the lids periodically, and refilling the container with water. Children relish taking care of these supplies. It gives that active child a job to do away from the work table, and also can provide a job for a child who is finished with other work! Everyone wins!î