Get Organized! Classroom Organization Ideas and Hacks for Teachers
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Now that it’s mid-way through the year, it’s time to get your classroom organized with these easy tips and ideas sponsored by Staples.
Don’t miss out on Staple’s Teacher Rewards program – it gives you free shipping, 5% back in rewards, and up to 10% back in rewards on teaching and art supplies.
Classroom Organization Ideas
1. Color Code Subjects
I always color code each subject – blue for social studies, red for writing, green for math, and so forth. All the supplies, all the notebooks, folders, and even the worksheets were that color. It helps me and my students stay organized.
2. Label Everything
To stay organized, you must have your supplies labeled. Use markers or print out labels for everything from book sets to teacher workroom supplies.
I love Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) for printable labels such as storage drawer labels, supply labels, alphabets, pennants, and signs. Why reinvent the wheel when someone else has already done it beautifully?
However, you can also find organizing labels for free like these: book bin labels, math manipulative labels, math tub labels, and supplies labels. Then grab some labels with your teacher discount at Staples.
3. Utilize Plastic Containers
Portable plastic storage containers are the easiest for classroom organization because you can stack and move them easily. In fact, they are a must-have for any classroom, teacher workroom or break room. See what you can organize in the following three styles of containers: drawers, tubs, and crates, all available at Staples.
I. Drawers (with wheels)
Copies for the week (make your copies ahead of time and put in your Monday – Friday drawers)
Games
Task cards
Paper – lined and color
Markers
Scissors
Glue sticks
Pencils
Rulers
Stickers
Monthly crafts or themes
II. Tubs
Manipulatives
Experiments
Notebooks
Table or group supplies
Centers
Art supplies
Sub plans
Headphones
Electronics
III. Crates
Units
Portfolios
Extra break room supplies
Extra cleaning supplies
Copies for each day in folders labeled Monday through Friday
Notebooks
Bulletin board supplies
4. Organize with Binders
Classroom binders help teachers stay organized if they include the following sections: student names and info, fire exits, calendar, class schedule, lesson plans, meeting notes, and student notes.
Sub binders are so helpful to include in your organization, especially in cases of emergency.
There are so many ways to use binders. Many teachers use binders to organize their masters in plastic sleeves. Others have binders for each reading group and individual writing conferences. The possibilities are diverse and Staples has every size binder you need.
* Don’t Forget the Double Stick Tape
I think double stick tape is one of the best inventions! It’s so much easier to frame your white boards and bulletin boards using double stick tape and bulletin board strips. It’s also a great tool for sticking on printed labels to your plastic containers.
Tip: If you’re using the tape directly on the wall, put down painters tape first before the double stick tape so you don’t ruin the paint.
