Decide on a project for the class to complete, and assess whether glue is necessary. If it is an art class, then making a collage or sculpture from recycled material would require the use of glue. However, origami would not require glue.
Provide the correct type of glue for the project. Hot glue guns are suitable for joining together larger objects or different materials. Regular white glue is required for paper mache projects, while glue sticks are a suitable option for sticking glitter to homemade greeting cards.
Prepare the classroom for using glue. Put pages of an old newspaper across the desks where the gluing is going to take place.
Provide instructions to the students before they begin using the glue. For example, tell them not to put hot glue on their hands. Tell them not to touch the glue and not to throw it. Explain how much they need to use -- for example, glitter will only stick to the area where you press the glue stick against the paper.
Set up a bucket of warm, soapy water near the desks where the gluing takes place. Have the children wash their hands immediately after they have finished using the glue, while their craft is drying.
Throw out used glue brushes, used newspaper and empty glue containers once the activity is completed. Use the water and a cloth to wipe containers that have glue on the outside, or around the rim to stop it from sticking.