Glue Solution

Glue is such an irritating necessity in the classroom. If I don’t check or wipe off every bottle after it is used, it is clogged!  Then out comes the paper clips to unclog them.   I think I have tried everything.  Glue sticks are great for small projects, but too expensive if used for big projects.  Tap-N-glue tips also get clogged.  The other problem is the kiddos can't regulate the amount of glue to use.  It sometimes takes 2 days to dry!

Clogged Glue Bottle

My solution in the last couple years has been small paper plates in the middle of the table with glue to share with others at the table and my table captain gets it ready. Now I just have one bottle to take care of.  I do run into the problem of someone hogging the glue plate.

My best solution is I use milk bottle caps.  Each student brings in a couple of bottle caps and I used them as individual glue containers.  My row captain or table captain also fills them and at the end of the project washes them out.  The kiddo uses his or her finger to apply the glue.  At first the kids want to wash their hands right after applying the glue, but soon get over it.   Now I have no more pools of glue on projects and I do not have clogged bottles.