What do you do with old teaching resources?

[flowergirl24]

Just that, really. I have folders and folders of resources from the past 7 years of teaching (secondary, English). I’m having a huge clutter clear out and wondered what you all do with your paper resources.

Should I just bite the bullet and bung the lot or keep them just in case?

I did this recently. Unless I'd used a resource in the past 3 years I threw them out. My classroom is so much clearer and my mind feels lighter. I've literally never regretted it and thought 'Oh I wish I had that worksheet about___'. Do it!

If you're panicking them you could take stuff you're really not sure about and keep one copy so you can photocopy if necessary? Or make a "If I don't use this in 1 year then I'll chuck it" cupboard...

Best of luck!

I'm primary so probably very different. I have so many resources

I have 2 huge tubs for each year group, one for literacy and one for numeracy. I also have a general display tub and one for science and 'topics'.

I keep the ones I don't need in my attic and the relevant ones for the year group in my classroom. I'm reluctant to part with them in case I am moved year group.

I keep one copy in a file for future reference and bung the rest away.

But it depends on your subject and how much things change. I teach secondary RS / Philosophy, and tbh most of the philosophers I teach about have been dead for over a thousand years, so aren't likely to change their minds.

Tbh, I've been really thankful I did if late. Two units I taught in the old spec, (as in before the introduction of AS levels in 2001) have just been brought back, and it has saved me hours upon hours of time to just dig out the files and copy up the bits I want for my new handouts. We've just chanted exam boards and most of my nw resource pack has been a copy and past job from the hard drives I've got going back to about 2004, but some are so old I've only got it on paper or acetate! Has saved me hours of work just being able to do this.

But as I say, it depends on your subject and how much things change. They don't much in mine, so worthwhile keeping. May not be do worthwhile in another subject.

Thanks for all the helpful advice. Even though I keep everything, I never seem to use a resource again. There have been so many changes over the years and it’s very rare that I happen to be teaching the same ability group/ syllabus/ text all at the same time again.

I might keep the resources which are not too exam board specific, as those are the ones which become obsolete quite quickly.

I’ve just counted 33 folders...

In my garage.. including my TP folders from 25 years ago

Exactly the same, except my resources go back to the 90s ...

Over the years, I have had culls, but still have too much. I do have a couple of folders made up over the last couple of years that are organised, relevant and worth re-using. 'Macbeth' and Y9 War Poetry. Have tried to do the same again, but I get too busy to file properly. Same with electronic copies ... I have hundreds of folders in folders in folders.

I'm starting to be more ruthless with paper copies. This summer, anything Macbeth or war poetry that's not in the 2019 folder is going. Jekyll and Inspector next.

Oh my god I find it so hard to throw resources away. I’m such a hoarder. And I’m so bad a filing that in the time it takes me to dig out an old worksheet I could have made a better one from scratch.
Sorry I’ve no advice.

Mine are still here, from 1994...
I think of them as historical artefacts!

Scan them and bin the originals.