Paper Clip Ideas for a Rocking Classroom

May 6, 2008 by Myscha Theriault

Simple, cheap and around for as long as most of us classroom warriors can remember, these under-the-radar bits of office supply fluff can help you get the job done on multiple fronts. Read on for a list of affordable classroom tips involving the humble paper clip.

Ornament hooks.

Need a way for parents to hang those precious homemade ornaments your students just made? Or, maybe you need to find hanging options for a load of donated tree ornaments from the PTA. Either way, paper clips can be your best friend when it comes to this.

Hanging art displays.

If you have one of those old fashioned suspended ceilings with the metal grids in your room, then these work great. Over each student’s desk and anywhere else you might need to hang a sign or art item, attach one paper clip to the edge of the metal rib. Tie on a desired length of classroom twine, and then tie another paper clip on to the dangling end of the string. This is where you can clip on flat edges of lighter pieces of art work. Great for open house night.

Bookmarks.

In addition to rubber bands, paperclips can make awesome bookmarks. Bonus? They don’t fall out as easily as paper ones. Word of advice? Go with the coated ones if you don’t want your pages to get rust stains.

Plaster of Paris Project Hanger.

Embed one in the back of each student’s project on the side where they will want to hang it from the back. Allow to dry. Easy breezy.

Emergency Zipper Pull.

Got a primary student with a zipper malfunction? Thread one of these little gems through the hole and pull up. Problem solved.

Unclogging those annoying glue bottle nozzles.

If your administration or PTA hasn’t upgraded you to glue sticks yet, this could be one of those tedious problems from the good old days that you still need to deal with. Straighten out a paper clip and go for it. We’ll be pulling for you.

Emergency bra strap repair.

Have a hormonal high school student on high wardrobe malfunction meltdown? If the problem happens to be one of those broken plastic hooks, a paper clip can get the job done in a pinch. If the problem is further up the strap, a safety pin might be more what you need.

That’s it from my end. If you have additional bits of clip wisdom, feel free to post a comment. I’m sure we could all use additional suggestions for sticking to the classroom budget and having a touch of convenience at the same time.

Photo Credit: Sunshine City

About the author…. I am a self confirmed life hacker who has used frugal living and personal finance strategies to focus on early retirement, pursue personal business goals, and achieve debt free living.