EASY PEELING Sometimes it’s hard to find the edge of Contac paper and to separate the backing from the sticky side, notes Paul Blundin of Wallingford, Pa. He suggests scoring the paper backing lightly with scissors; this will make it much easier to start peeling off the backing.

QUICK RESOLUTION Billings, Mont., elementary school physical education teacher Todd Bertsch uses the “Rock, Paper, Scissors” game to resolve a variety of small disagreements among students. He requires that the outcome stand; this simple technique reduces “downtime” and unnecessary discussion. “I am pleased with how this five-second teaching tool can solve so many issues.”

FOAM FUN Hot-glue foam letters representing students’ initials onto the pointed end of skewer sticks, suggests Houston, Texas, kindergarten teacher Consuelo Yukiko Yamaguchi. Use different colors for those with the same initials. Small versions of foam letters are available by the bag from craft stores or can be made cut with dies at school. These are great tools to choose who goes to the board, make group assignments and more. Students love to see and use “their letters.”

POSTCARD BOOKMARKS Use postcards depicting photographs, artwork or travel destinations to create quick bookmarks, says retired Philadelphia teacher Paula Cohen Goldenberg. Cut the postcards to size, cover with clear Contac paper, punch a hole at the top and attach a ribbon at the hole. Keep a set of student-made bookmarks by your desk so that students can choose one as needed.