Repurposing Frames

Using stuff in as many ways as possible is one skill that all teachers have in common.  When I am out shopping, cleaning my house or classroom it is so hard to throw things away.  I always seem to find a new purpose for it or put it aside determined to find a purpose.  Picture Frames are one of those items.  In my classroom we use picture frames to display family photos around the classroom.  This creates a home like atmosphere, allows children to connect with families when not present, as well as a nice way to bring diversity naturally into the classroom.  I have also used picture frames on the walls attached with double sided tape.  This acts as a method of displaying children's art work as well as speaks to that home like atmosphere.  Finally, I have covered the insides of the frames with contact paper and provided the children with natural looking materials to create works of art.  They are able to keep it as is, or take it apart and start over again.  The children liked to use these and worked for a long time filling up the frames, taking them apart and starting over again.

How have you used picture frames in your classroom?

Here one of the children are taking small wooden shapes from bowls and placing them unto some frames.