Classroom Organization

"I will stay organized, I will stay organized, I will stay organized" That is my mantra for this year. My first few years of teaching I was very organized and everything had a place. However, then, I switched grade levels AND classrooms. I want from a small portable to a VERY LARGE inside classroom and from teaching fifth grade to kindergarten. That transition was great, except for my organization. First of all, the classroom was HUGE compared to what I was used to, and second, there is a lot more 'stuff' in a K classroom than 5th. So, this year, I WILL stay organized. I thought I would share a few of the great and INEXPENSIVE ideas I have found to help with organization.

First of all, I have been trying to find ways to create more storage in my classroom. Specifically, storage that is enclosed. So, here is one way that I think is just great! I am thinking of creating four these to use at my play dough table. Then, when that workshop is closed I can simply put all of the play dough inside a bucket and have a clean table! Click on the picture to go to a teacher blog with directions, below the picture is a link to a website which sells actual bucket seats.



Bucket Seats for $6.59

Here is a similar idea using file folder crates, click the picture to see how these are made!



What to do with all of those pencils, markers, pens, crayons, etc, etc, etc! A great very inexpensive solution that could be customized to your classroom theme! I am going to try this idea, but I think I will use scrap book paper to wrap some of the outside tubes, or maybe just paint! I will also probably glue the rolls to a cork board which can then be hung on the wall. Again, click the picture to learn more!!



Okay, this next idea, I LOVE! I saw this picture and really liked the idea,
but was concerned that my little kindergartners would knock over the cups. So, I came up with this instead. Take eight Starbucks cups and glue them into a tray. Ask for both the dome lids and the flat lids when you are at the store. I would use the small (or tall in Starbucks lingo) cups. They are shorter and will hold plenty of paint. As for the tray, anything will work. Target has some plastic trays for $2.50 that would be great. Once your cups are glued into the tray, you can put the paint into the cups. When students are using the paints, put the dome lid on for scraping extra paint off of the brush. When the are not working, use the flat lids (cover the straw hole with tape to prevent drying out). The trays will fit easily on a shelf or the cups can be stacked in a cupboard out of the reach of little hands.






Happy organizing!!!

More great ideas that cost very little...

I have three things that I want to focus on this year as far as my classroom set-up and organization.

First, I want my tables to be neat and organized. I want my students to know that everything in our classroom has a home.

Second, I want my students to be able to work independently and in pairs. This is hard in a classroom of 18 kindergarteners because it seems no matter what I do they end up sitting right next to someone else or a group other than their own. So, the goal is to make work stations very clear but also flexible because I do not always have the same number of kids in each group.

Third, I want my students to know exactly what they are allowed to do when they have completed their work. Again, this is difficult in kindergarten because finding activities that are truly self led can be challenging!

The GOOD NEWS, day two of my blogging I have solved all three of the above problems, thanks to some other people and their great ideas! So, here goes!

My student tables this year will feature premade icing containers. Simply wash the container, cut pencil size holes in the lid and you have inexpensive pencil holders that if knocked over will not create a distraction for other tables! If you really want to get fancy, attach a strip of velcro to the bottom of the canister...it will keep the canister in place but allow you to take it off of the table for bigger projects! Messy tables no longer!

On to how to keep those squirmy kindergarteners in one place...HULA HOOPS! That's right, when you have a folder center or workshop where students can work on the floor, put them in a hula hoop. This will keep each pair or individual in their own space. So SIMPLE...but yet SO good. For more great ideas like the Hula Hoops and Icing containers visit http://patricia_f.tripod.com/tips.html and http://www.kidschalkboard.com/.

And for that time when students have a few minutes of down time...chart folders. A binder filled with charts and laminated pages which students can take out whenever there is downtime. These charts could change throughout the year or be added to as students learn more skills. And the final idea, a digitial picture frame to flash sight words, letters, or numbers. The frame will hang on the wall in the front of the classroom. It will be a constant activity for my students when they have finished their work. (Thanks to www.teachertipster.com for these awesome ideas:)!)

I can't wait to get into my classroom to start setting up for this school year. It will be exciting to see how these organizational changes will enhance the learning my students do.