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Classroom Organization Ideas

No comments Classroom Organization, Organization, teacher hacks

I love being organized. And, I love talking all things organization. So, let's do it. Let's talk organization!

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Once again, I'm here today to share my love of organization. I'll be sharing a few (more) examples of how I organize specific materials in my classroom. (Click here for more specific examples of how to organize classroom items such as crayons, tech, clipboards, and more.)

I say this in most of my organization posts, but it is worth repeating: organization varies from person to person. It looks different to different people. What works for me might not work for you. But, hopefully it will at least inspire you and give you an idea.

Read Alouds
After I read a book to my class, I set it on the ledge of our whiteboard.

I let the books fill up that space, and when it is full, I move them to my filing cabinet. Yep, that's right, I organize and store my read alouds in my filing cabinets. I learned this gem of an idea from my teaching bestie years and years ago. I use legal sized file folders to create dividers and organize my books by topic or theme.

Fast Finisher Drawers
When I moved to my current classroom, my fast finisher organization system got an update. My room has two sets of short racks. They really aren't as functional as you might think because they are so short, so I decided to use them for my fast finisher materials. I purchased some oversized Sterlite drawers and simply put the fast finisher options in the different drawers. I made labels and attached them with Velcro dots.

The drawers I purchased are approximately 14 x 14 inches. The exact item I purchased does not appear to be available any longer (unless you want to pay twice what I did). But, Amazon does have a smaller set of drawers available (11 x 13.5 inches). You can find the smaller set of drawers here.

Within the drawers, you'll find more organizational goodness. Some of the activities I put out are stored in dry erase pouches, or sleeves, so that the resource can be used over and over. The ones shown below are from Oriental Trading, but you can click here for a comparable set on Amazon (with high ratings).

You can find these sight word drills in my TPT store.

Finally, some of my fast finisher options are placed in zipper pouches like these. I get these at Walmart. They are less than one dollar a piece and every year I buy at least 10 more to add to my collection because I use them for centers and other things too.

Morning Tubs
Morning tubs are a great way to start your day with students. They provide a soft start and are perfect for easing kids into learning each day. With morning tubs, you basically set out some hands-on materials for students to play, build, and create with during the first 5-10 minutes of the day. You can read about what to put in morning tubs and how to manage them here.

I store my morning tub materials in drawers like these. I purchased mine from Michaels, but you can find a similar set, like the one linked here, on Amazon.

Stickers
I love stickers. A lot. I have a lot of stickers. A lot.

I give out table points in my classroom. Each day, the winning table group gets a sticker. They add the sticker to their sticker books. You can read about how I use table points and stickers here.

When I award stickers each day, I need quick and easy access. This magnetic holder has been a life saver! It sticks to the whiteboard, just below the space where I record the table points. I found this at The Container Store. Click here for a holder with similar dimensions.

Reward Tags
Another classroom management tool I use daily in my classroom is reward tags.

In short, reward tags are a quick and easy way to recognize student effort on the spot. Students are awarded a tag and it is added to a special necklace. I have written many posts about reward tags. Click here for ALL things reward tags.

Just like the stickers mentioned above, I need to be able to quickly access the tags since I award them throughout the day.

I've found that storing my tags in an open container as seen below is the way to go. These are DMC floss organizer trays. DMC floss is what people use when they cross stitch, or make friendship bracelets. I've found that the trays are the perfect place to store my tags. I cut the lid off and glue some ribbon/bow on the outside. The trays sit on a bookcase at the front of my room so I can easily find what I need.

You can find these containers on Amazon, or at your local craft store (they are usually cheaper there).

Magnetic Marker Container
I realize this is not a revolutionary idea, but honestly, having a cup or container of some kind to organize and store your markers is great. Instead of having markers strewn about the ledge of your whiteboard, you can store them all in one handy spot. Store your markers cap side down so the color becomes more vibrant.

You can find these containers almost anywhere. The teal one shown above is from Home Goods. This link will take you to a similar sized option on Amazon. This link will take you to a smaller sized option on Amazon.

Student Work Folders
Classroom organization extends beyond the teacher and his/her resources and materials. Students need to be organized too!

One way that I teach my students some organizational skills is by giving them folders to store their work in. I tend to use the two shown below most often. I also make a technology folder where they store all their passwords and/or materials they might need to bring to the computer lab.

I purchase my folders at Target. You can find these labels in my TPT store (the set currently includes 120 labels).

Click here for more specific examples of how to organize your classroom.
Click here for more posts on how to get organized, the truths about getting organized, and more.

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How to Organize Your Classroom Files

No comments Classroom Organization, Clutter-Free Classroom, Declutter Your Classroom, Organization, Teacher Productivity, Tips and Tricks

It might be 2019, but filing cabinets and files are not a thing of the past. If you have filing cabinets and master files of important documents and resources, this post will help you tackle this space in your classroom and make it work for you.

This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase through one of my links. For more information about my Disclosure Policy, please visit this link.

Maintaining organized files makes things easier on you in the long run. When your paperwork is stored where it's supposed to be, you can find what you need quickly.

#1 - DECIDE HOW YOU WANT TO USE YOUR FILING CABINET(S)
Over the years, your paperwork files have likely been pared down, but they still demand some space within the filing cabinets. If you have more than one filing cabinet, you may not need to use both of them for actual paperwork. Maybe you can use one of them for storing items like read alouds.

If you only have one filing cabinet, decide how it can best meet your needs. What do you want to store in the drawers that you do have. How many drawers do you have? Do you need all of the drawers for paperwork? Or just a few? How can you best utilize the other drawers?

#2 - DETERMINE WHICH FILES (IF ANY) NEED TO BE WITHIN REACH
Take stock of what you keep in file folders. Are there any file folders that you know you need quick and easy access to throughout the day? If so, maybe these files won't be stored in a drawer. Maybe you'd prefer to keep them on your desk in a hanging file box.

A box like the one below is compact and won't take up a lot of space. I keep one near my desk to store math fact pages that I send home with my students as needed.

#3 - PURGE YOUR EXISTING FILES
Given that many of our resources are digital these days, there's a good chance that if you haven't gone through your files in the last few years, you have some things in there taking up unnecessary space. Go through your drawers one at a time and get rid of the files you no longer need. A good way to do this is in front of the television with your favorite beverage. Bring home a few files every day for a week or so until the job is done. Toss what you don't need and take the keepers back to school the next day.

Plan to purge your files annually so they don't get out of control.

#4- FILE FOLDERS OR HANGING FOLDERS-PICK YOUR FAVORITE
Organizing your paper files can play out in a number of ways, but first, decide how you want to store those files. Do you prefer legal or letter size? Are you a hanging file folder kind of person, or do you prefer a basic file folder? Below are some fun colorful options to meet your needs.

#5 - CREATE A SYSTEM
Once you know what you want to file away, create a system that works for you. Just remember to keep it simple. A complicated system is an overwhelming system.

One way to keep it simple is to break things up into categories: Reading, Writing, Math, etc. From there, color code your files based on those categories. Use pink folders for your various Reading files, yellow folders for your math files, and so on. Group the color categories within the drawer so you can quickly and easily find what you're looking for.

Instead of using colored folders, you could opt to use colored labels.

Label the outside of your drawers, if that helps.

#6 - KEEP THINGS TIDY
File papers daily. Don't let things pile up. It only takes a few minutes to file a few pieces of paper. Remember: if it takes less than 2 minutes, just do it.

Honestly, things are likely to get lost or misplaced if you let them sit around for days and days before putting them back into their files. Spend a few minutes each day keeping on top of the filing, instead of wasting large chunks of time down the road.

#7 - BE SELECTIVE
You don't have to file everything. You don't need to keep everything. This takes up too much of your time, and ultimately, your space. Make note of important information from memos, then throw them away. No need to file papers like that.

Only keep what's most important to you. What's important? Well, ultimately, that's up to you. But, maybe it's important to you to keep hard copies of your observations and evaluations, parent handouts that you know you use at the beginning of each year, or materials that you use to supplement each unit of your reading program.

I hope you find this post helpful. Happy organizing!

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5 Quick & Easy Daily Tasks to Keep You and Your Classroom Organized

No comments Classroom Organization, Just for Teachers, Organization, Stress Management, Teacher Productivity

Organization is an ongoing process. You may have heard me say that before. Truly, there is always something to organize and stay on top of. One way to minimize the amount of time you spend organizing every week is to tackle a few small organizational tasks every day. These tasks might be small, but if you do them, it will make a big impact over time.

#1 - FILE YOUR PAPERS DAILY
File those miscellaneous papers daily. I'm guilty of not doing this from time to time, and every time I let those papers pile up, I regret it. It ends up taking what feels like forever to file everything. It's much easier to file a few pieces of paper each day than it is to file 40 pieces (that will likely be going into 15 different places) at the end of the week.

#2 - EMPTY OUT YOUR TEACHER MAILBOX
Daily. Just do it. Just like with filing, it's easier to go through a few papers at a time than it is to let it all pile to the top of the box and work your way through a mini mountain of papers-some of which might be time sensitive.

#3 - GET RID OF PAPERWORK YOU DON'T NEED
When you get papers and notices in your mailbox, go through them. Make note of what you need to, add important dates and times to your planner or calendar, but then ditch the paperwork if you no longer need it. You don't need a bunch of memos pinned to your bulletin board. It's clutter and when you put them all on display, they no longer stand out or serve their purpose.

#4 - CHECK YOUR EMAIL AND DELETE AND/OR FILE MESSAGES
Friends, check.your.email. Your work email shouldn't be like one of those personal email accounts that some people have where on any given day the inbox features 547 unread messages. I'm not knocking people with inboxes like that, I'm just saying make sure your work email isn't like that. It's part of your job to make sure that you read your email.

Check your email in the morning, and again after school. That way, you know you won't miss any important information that you might need for the following day. Decide how frequently you need to check your email, as well as the time of day that will work best for you and stick to it.

Also, just because you get an email doesn't mean you need to print it or keep it. Some emails are sent school wide but don't really pertain to you. Delete it! If it is a message you may need to refer to in the future, create a special folder. We often get emails with procedural information/reminders. I don't need to print these out as I won't refer to them on a daily basis, but I may refer to them in the next week. I move these messages to a special folder where I can quickly reference them as needed (and won't lose them).

#5 - UPDATE YOUR TO DO LIST
At the end of the day, take a few minutes to update your to do list for the following morning/day. When you get to work the next day, you won't spend any time guessing what you need to do. You'll already know. And, if you're like me, you'll think of a few more things to add to that list by the time you return to school the next day.

While this may sound like a lot to stay on top of every day, it really isn't. It's when you let these tasks pile up that it becomes hard to stay on top of. It's much easier to spend 15-20 minutes scattered throughout the day doing these things, than dedicating a large chunk of time to them at the end of the week. In the long run, doing these tasks each day will save you time, make you feel less frantic, and ultimately, help reduce your stress levels.

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12 Organization Tips for Teachers

No comments Classroom Organization, Just for Teachers, Organization, Stress Management, Teacher Productivity

Maybe you've heard me say this before, but an organized classroom is so important. When I say organized, I mean everything has a place and everything is in it's place. I mean that you have developed and created systems and spaces that work for you. I don't mean you work in a classroom void of materials, resources, or decor.

This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase through one of my links. For more information about my Disclosure Policy, please visit this link.

Making sure your classroom is an organized space is crucial to making sure your sanity stays in tact. Not to mention, it will help your students be successful too. Just as many adults feed off the energy of a room, so do kids. If your room isn't organized, you'll feel frazzled and scramble to find what you need. Kids will pick up on this energy too. An organized room creates a calm space in which students can feel relaxed and ready to learn.

What follows is a list of my top organizing tips that I use in my classroom. Grab a coffee and let's get to scrolling.

#1 - MAKE LISTS
I say this often, but I'm crazy serious about the importance of doing this. Making a list creates accountability, helps you prioritize tasks, and allows you be more productive. It takes the guess work out of what needs to get done.

Make daily to do lists, weekly to do lists, and even look for opportunities to set long term goals. Revisit these lists often and keep them where you will see them and use them. If you have to dig them out, you won't stick to the lists.

Some colorful pens and a pretty notepad or notebook will do the trick. OK, they don't have to be pretty, but if you like pretty things, go for it. Here are a few pretty notepads that might help keep you inspired.

#2 - USE A PLANNER
Invest in a planner and use it to map out important due dates, meetings, training, and so forth. And, while you're at it, use that planner to schedule some intentional organization time. There are so many different kinds of planners out there. Find one with a layout that works for you. You may want to use a teacher planner to organize your lesson plans, and a personal planner to note important meetings and training. Decide what will work best for you, there isn't a one size fits all solution here.

#3 - EVERYTHING HAS A PLACE AND EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE
This saying is everything. Give everything a home and be diligent about putting items back where they belong. It's easier to find things in the future, and you won't have piles of stuff everywhere. And it also saves you time when you go to use that item again in the future. Remember, if it takes less than 2 minutes, just do it.

#4 -UNLOAD YOUR TEACHER BAG
Teachers are notorious for loading up their bag or backpack with work to take home. That bag goes back and forth day after day. And day after day more things make their way into said bag or backpack After a while, it's anyone's guess as to what's floating around in there. Put that bag front and center and take out any old papers, unnecessary papers, and/or other items that have been put in there and forgotten about. That bag isn't a permanent home for anything. It's a means of transporting items back and forth. Try to keep unnecessary items out of that bag. Don't load it up if you know you aren't going to do your work at home.

#5 - PUT YOUR READ ALOUDS AWAY
Many teachers display the books they've read to their class. Sometimes, the students are allowed to reread these books in their free time or during independent reading time. Sometimes, the books are placed on white board ledges and shelves so the students can be reminded of the book. Either way, once you notice your display areas are all filled up, put the books away and make room for a new set of books to feature. If you have too many books on display, the kids won't pay attention to them anymore.

#6 - TAKE DOWN OLD ANCHOR CHARTS
Anchor charts weren't meant to stay up in one place all year. Over time, they lose their effectiveness. Once a week, take stock of what you have on display and take down what is no longer needed. If you think you'll need to pull one back out for future reference, save it if need be, but it's probably going to be more effective to make a new one with your kids if you plan to revisit that topic.

If you're worried about forgetting about the layout of a really great chart you made with your class, take a picture of it first. Save all your anchor chart photos to a folder in Google photos or Google Docs so you can refer back to them as needed.

#7 - KEEP YOUR DAILY MATERIALS CLOSE BY
Designate a space in your classroom where you can store and easily get to the lesson materials you need every day. If you are hunting for the math materials in front of students, chaos might ensue. Be ready and keep these kinds of materials in one place.

#8 - GET RID OF STUFF
Seriously, you probably have some things you don't need to keep anymore. Excess leads to stress. Try to keep only what you need. You can read more about decluttering your classroom by clicking HERE. Just make sure that as you go through things you ask yourself the following:

Is this still relevant?
Do I still use it?
What value does it bring to me and/or my students?
If I went shopping today, would I buy this again?

A good place to start this process is by taking stock of any teacher resource books you might still own. Chances are, you've acquired lots of digital files and no longer need many of the books you used to rely on.

#9 - ORGANIZE YOUR PAPER FILES
Not everyone is 100% digital, myself included. There are some things that I need to save and reuse. To organize this space in your classroom:

Go through your files and decide what you need to keep. If you do have a digital version of that item, do you really need to keep a hard copy too?
Create categories and label your folders/hanging files. Be sure to decide ahead of time if you're a folder kind of person, or a hanging file kind of person. Color code your folders or files. You can use different colored folders, or you can color code the labels on the folders.
Label the front of your drawers so you know what's in there.

If the idea of color coding your files speaks to you, like it does me, Amazon has you covered. They have lots of colored file folder options.

#10 - ORGANIZE YOUR DIGITAL FILES
This can be a daunting task, but once you figure out a system that works for you, it will be so worth it. Since this task is a big one, be sure to break it down into smaller tasks. Here's how I approach this organizational task:

Create folders for each subject (categorize your folders).
Within that subject break it down by genre or skill (Say you create a Reading folder, within that folder you might have subcategories like "Reading Passages," "Fables," "Citing Text Evidence," and so on.
Back up your files onto an external hard drive, Dropbox, or a jump drive in case your system crashes, you move schools, or you need to access your files from another location.

Once you organize your digital files, stay on top of it. When saving new documents, be sure to put them in their intended folders from the get go.

#11 - LABEL EVERYTHING

If you have a storage cabinet filled with special bins and containers, label them. This way you can quickly and easily find what you need. You can scan your shelves quickly and find what you need. Otherwise, you'll be going through too many of those bins one by one, and that's a total time suck.

#12 - DON'T DEDICATE PRECIOUS CLASSROOM REAL ESTATE TO SEASONAL DECOR AND BULLETIN BOARD ACCESSORIES

Unless you have unlimited storage in your classroom, keep that seasonal stuff somewhere else. You aren't digging into your box of themed decor as often as you are pulling out math materials or art supplies. Store your seasonal items in a more out of reach location like a storage shelf in another location (if provided by your school) or in your garage (just pull out what you need when that season approaches).

If you like to switch out your bulletin board border and background every month, more power to you. I keep the same background and border up all year. It saves me a ton of time. However, if I did change these things out, I would l store the items in an out of reach location like my separate storage shelf in our computer lab closet. If you're only using these items on a monthly basis, it isn't worth giving it a designated space in your classroom if you don't have the room to do so.

FINAL THOUGHTS
These are my go-to organization tips, but remember, organization is a very personal thing. We all have our own style and way of doing things. Our needs and availability of space varies greatly. Find what works for you and stick to it.

Do you have a favorite organizational tip? Share it in the comments below. We'd love to hear from you!

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5 Truths About Organizing Your Classroom

No comments Classroom Organization, Just for Teachers, Organization, Stress Management, Teacher Productivity

Organization is kind of my thing. I enjoy it. But, organizing isn't easy. More specifically, organizing a classroom isn't easy. Before you get started, there are some things you should know so you don't get overwhelmed.

The number one benefit of having an organized classroom is reduced stress levels. The long term effects of stress are not fun: anxiety, high blood pressure, and more. An organized classroom means you spend less time looking for what you need, less time scrambling around, and more time checking tasks off your to do list. In other words, you become more productive and feel at ease.

If you're looking for some tips to help you get started with getting organized, click HERE to read more.

So now that you've been reminded about the importance of an organized classroom, let's take a look at some truths behind the organizational process.

#1-THERE IS A POINT TO ORGANIZING YOUR CLASSROOM
The point is to simplify and tidy your space. The space that is in many ways your home away from home. Taking the time to organize your classroom isn't meant to be busywork. It's meant to improve the quality of the time you spend in your classroom. A clean classroom means you can be more productive as you move through your space to prepare to teach every day. And, it creates a calm environment. Clutter and disarray can cause unnecessary stress and contribute to anxiety. Teachers don't need that kind of negativity in their lives.

#2-ORGANIZING YOUR CLASSROOM IS AN ONGOING PROCESS
Once you organize a space in your classroom (or the whole room), just know that you will revisit that space over time. Often. Organization isn't a one and done type of thing. There is always something new to organize, or old systems to tweak. When you finish organizing a space, it may seem perfect, but once you start using and interacting with that space, you might find it isn't as perfect as you thought it would be. Making changes along the way is simply a part of the process.

#3-ORGANIZING WON'T ALWAYS BE FUN
Some organizational tasks and jobs are downright daunting and annoying. The process won't always be fun, and it won't always be easy, but it's totally worth it. Organizing is always most daunting when you are tackling an area for the first time. This is why maintaining your organization (see #5) is so important.

#4-ORGANIZE YOUR MATERIALS BEFORE YOU BUY ALL THE STORAGE THINGS
Matching bins are a sight for sort eyes, no doubt. But do yourself a favor and wait to buy them until you know what you need. First, organize your stuff. Look, I like tubs just like the next teacher, but you may not need a one size fits all tub. Twelve of the same exact storage bin may not suit the materials you need to store in the space that you have. Your student clocks will take up more storage space than your task cards. They may not need to be stored in identical sized bins. You might need a variety of sized of bins to store your items in order to maximize your space.

#5-KEEP YOUR ORGANIZED CLASSROOM MAINTAINED
It's easy to organize an area, or several areas, only to find that they get sloppy over time. That's because as you use the space, it can get disorganized...if you ignore it. Be firm with yourself and make sure you keep your tidied spaces tidy. Remember, everything has a place, and everything in it's place. Repeat this mantra however many times you need to. It will save you tons of time in the long run. And, remember, if it takes less than two minutes to put something away, then do it.

FINAL THOUGHTS
There is no one size fits all approach to organization. It truly boils down to what works for you. Maybe you prefer to keep all of your things in plain sight. Maybe you like to keep your things behind doors and in drawers. Whatever your style, know that it will take some work to find a system that works for you. But once you find that system, stick to it.

Do you have a truth about organizing? Share it in the comments. We'd love to hear what you have to say!

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Organization for Teachers: Tips to Help You Get Started

No comments Classroom Organization, Clutter-Free Classroom, Just for Teachers, Organization, Teacher Productivity, Tips and Tricks

I've said it before, but teachers have a lot of stuff. It just goes with the territory. Teachers also do about 150 different things every day, all of which takes them to different areas of their classroom. So, keeping all that stuff organized is important for reducing stress levels and increasing your overall efficiency.

If you find organizing to be a daunting and overwhelming process, and you just don't know where to begin, this post is for you. Keep reading!

#1-MAKE A PLAN
Decide what you need to organize. A classroom is filled with nooks and crannies, cabinets and shelves, drawers and storage units. You can't do it all at once. Decide what you need to organize first. Once you've decided on a spot to tackle, set a goal. If the task is a small one, set a goal for that same day. If the task is more involved, give yourself a few days and break the job up into smaller, more attainable and realistic mini goals.

#2-START WITH THE MOST ANNOYING SPOT IN YOUR ROOM
If you want to follow step 1, but can't decide what to tackle first, then this tip is for you. Think about the part of your room that most negatively impacts you on a daily basis. This area likely fills you with feelings of burden and frustration, and just generally drives you bonkers anytime you have to access it. This is where you'll want to start. Come back to the other areas you want to tackle when you're finished with this one.

#3-STICK WITH ONE AREA AT A TIME
Trust me on this one. If you only halfway finish organizing an area of your classroom only to start another, you'll just end up with a bunch of half organized spaces. Ultimately, you'll feel just as overwhelmed and icky as you did before you started the process.

#4-GO SLOW TO GO FAR
As you break your organizational goals into mini goals, or shorter tasks, set time limits. Once you identify the space you want to work on, set aside 15 minutes a day to work on it until it is finished. It may take you a few days to completely organize the space you're focusing on, and that's OK. Lighten the mood as you organize by listening to your favorite podcast or some music while you work. It will make those 15 minutes fly by.

#5-HAVE THE RIGHT MINDSET
If you aren't in the right frame of mind when you tackle a job like organizing an area meant to improve your time spent in the classroom, you will regret it. Have a positive mindset and trust that you will get your task done, even if it isn't your favorite thing to do. Remind yourself that you are taking the time to clean up and organize your space so that you will benefit in the long run. In the end, you stand to benefit from your efforts, and it's worthwhile to invest in yourself.

#6-SCHEDULE YOUR ORGANIZING TIME
Add it to your "to do" list or planner. Set a reminder in your phone. However you choose to record this time commitment, be sure to carve out a few minutes each day to get the job done. If you schedule your organization time, you're more likely to stick to your plan. It would be helpful to decide what time of day this will work best for you. Before school? During your prep? Or after school? Decide and then do it.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Organizing can be overwhelming. It's also a never ending process (more on that to come). But when you are in a state of disorganization, stress levels spike. Our physical environment plays a big role in creating a calm atmosphere.

I believe that some of us react more strongly to our physical environment than others, and we all have different levels of tolerance when it comes to being organized, but your students also stand to benefit from an organized and tidy classroom. In the long run, you will never regret taking a bit of time to organize your classroom so that you are able to maximize your productivity and maintain lower stress levels.

Looking for more posts on organization? Click the link below and check back soon as more posts will be added.
5 Truths About Organizing Your Classroom

Do you have a tip to help others get started on their organization journey? If so, leave it in the comments. We'd love to hear from you!

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How to Declutter Your Classroom

2 comments Clutter-Free Classroom, Declutter Your Classroom, Organization, Stress Management

Teachers have a lot of stuff. We use a lot of stuff. Sometimes that stuff stacks up. It piles up. It's always there, in our way. If you feel like clutter is taking over your classroom, then keep reading. In this post, I'm going to share my favorite tips for keeping your classroom clutter-free.

The purpose of this post is to help you tame the piles of stuff scattered about your room and the junk that may be crammed into your closets, cabinets, drawers, and everywhere in between (OK, junk is harsh, but I'm willing to bet you have some of it crammed into at least one of those spaces).

This post is not meant to make you feel like you need to have a designer classroom. A clean space is not the same as a decorated space. They are two very different things, and this post is simply meant to help you clean up your existing space.

Why Declutter?
Why should you care about getting classroom clutter under control? Because, whether you realize it or not, the clutter could be contributing to an uncomfortable classroom setting. It might make you feel anxious or stressed because you can't find things buried in the 97 (or 25, or 10, or whatever) piles scattered around your room.

We all have different notions of what constitutes clutter. And, some people are more affected by clutter than others, but it's important to keep in mind that it does affect people. I definitely fall into this category. Too much clutter makes me feel anxious and distracted. I have a very small classroom. When there is too much clutter around me, I feel like the walls are closing in on me. I definitely feel anxious and bothered. That may sound dramatic, but it's true.

Your students could be affected too. A classroom that is free of clutter is more conducive to a productive learning environment. Less clutter means students can find what they need easily. It means they can focus on their work with less distraction. A clutter-free space means students are more likely to feel calm and focused.

Clutter and chaos hold you back. Your brain can't fully focus when it's distracted. Clutter is distracting. And, when we're relating clutter to a classroom setting, it stands to reason that clutter may also be holding back some of your students.

Bottom line, our physical environment affects how we feel, and it can completely squash our motivation. While some people are affected by this more than others, the impact of clutter is something teachers should be cognizant of so that our students are able to learn in a more optimal learning environment.

Are you ready to tackle your room and make it clutter-free?

How to Declutter Your Classroom
These tips are fairly general and they are presented in no particular order. We all have different notions of what clutter-free should look like. To some, that means your space is as minimalistic in appearance as possible. To others, it means that things are put away and kept in their designated spot. So, when you read these tips, choose the ones that work best for you and your idea of a clutter-free classroom. :)

Start Where it Matters Most
You can't expect to declutter your entire classroom in one afternoon. Don't try to bite off more than you can chew. Attack one space in your room at a time. Start with your desk. Chances are this is where the majority of your clutter ends up, and it's the space you rely on most to do your planning and grading. How can you productively plan upcoming lessons when your desk is covered in old memos, resource books, or whatever else. Each day, move to a new space and tackle the next clutter zone.

Prioritize Your Mission
You want to declutter, but you can't do it all at once. Break your mission into smaller ones. Make a list of all the spaces in your classroom that need to be decluttered and organized. From there, decide which spaces need the most attention and which ones need less attention. Then, decide how you want to prioritize from there. Do you want to start with the spaces that need the most attention and work your way to the others, or vice versa? There's no right or wrong way, do what works for you.

Do a Little Bit Each Day
So this tip is kind of a recap of one and two up above. You cannot declutter your entire classroom in one sitting. It's too overwhelming and you'll just be more stressed than before you started. Set aside a specific amount of time each day to tackle the spaces you've identified as needing some attention. You'll feel more accomplished and more excited about tackling the next space the following day.

Get Rid of Stuff
As you work your way from one space to the next, purge as you go! Get rid of the stuff you don't need or use. If you don't need it, love it, or use it, get rid of it! Grab a bag and fill it up, and throw.it.out. Or, if you prefer, pass it on to someone who could use it.

If you're super serious about decluttering, then, grab a trash bag and fill it up. Looking to baby step your way through the decluttering process? Then, grab a smaller bag (like a grocery bag) and fill it up.

Keep a second bag (or box) on hand where you can place items you aren't sure you should keep or toss. You can go back to these items a day or two later and then decide. In situations like these, I usually go with the advice my mom gave me as a teenager: "If you aren't sure, then you don't need it." This was what she'd typically tell me when shopping for new clothes and I couldn't decide if I really liked something or not. But, I've found that this advice has been helpful with other types of decision making. ;)

Organize Everything
As you go from space to space and weed through the materials/items in that space, give them a permanent home (if they don't already have one).

Decide how and where you should store these items. Storage bins and tubs are a great way to contain items and they allow you to find them more easily when you need them again.

Decide which items need to be kept on a shelf or counter top, which ones can be stored in a closet or cabinet, and which ones can be stored completely out of the way. For example, I keep my math manipulatives in labeled storage bins inside my wardrobe in the classroom. This way, I can grab them as needed, but they are tucked away when we don't need them.

There are some items that I simply do not need to keep in my classroom. I keep a giant bin of play props and costumes on my storage shelf in our pod storage room. I don't even label this bin because I know exactly what it holds. It might be just the world's second oldest storage bin, by the way. Since I only need access to these items once a year keeping them in the classroom really makes no sense (and so, a pretty storage bin is so not necessary).

Just remember, everything needs a home. When you're done with something, put it back in its home. Make it a habit.

Keeping Things Decluttered
Once you declutter your space, you'll want to keep it that way. So, here are a few of my favorite tips for making sure your newly organized space stays that way.

Clean Your Desk Every Day
This is non-negotiable for me. Before I leave each day, I make sure my desk is cleared of clutter. It takes me less than 5 minutes. There is nothing worse than coming in first thing in the morning with the intention of being productive only to be defeated when you remember that your desk is a mess and you don't have any space to do your work. Prevent unnecessary morning stress from the get go and make sure you clean that desk off before you go home each day.

Sometimes my desk looks like this during the day.

But, I can't leave for the day until it looks like this.

Once upon a time, I left school with a mess on my desk. I forgot about said mess overnight. When I got to work the next day I was supremely disappointed to see that I couldn't tackle my to do list because I didn't clean off my desk the night before. I had to go through the junk on my desk just so I could get to work. Then, I was grumpy because my morning wasn't as productive as it should have been.

Moral of the story: Starting the day with a clean desk is totally worth the five minutes it might take me to clear it off at the end of the previous day.

Put Your Stuff Away...All Day, Every Day
When you're done with something, put it away. Seriously, it takes more time to do a full cleaning of your classroom than it does to clean as you go. So, tidy up as you go through the day. Sometimes we feel rushed and just set things down with the intention of putting it away later. If you do this 15 times a day, that adds up to way too much stuff sitting where it doesn't belong. Just put it away. I mean, it will probably take you less than a minute to do so, so just do it (even if you have to save that task for after school, just make sure you do it).

When we're done with a set of manipulatives, or reading group books, or a specific art supply, I put them away. If you're done with something, just put it away. Leaving it out is pointless.

Weekly Clean Up
I get it, teaching is crazy. You are bound to have some stuff sitting out that you should have put away, but literally did not have an opportunity to do so. I'm guilty of this too (I hate clutter, but I'm not perfect). I try to put things away as soon as I'm done with them, but sometimes that just doesn't happen. Once a week, take the time to survey your room and put away any lingering items that are still sitting out. Make it part of your end of day Friday routine. Visually sweep your room and put away any small piles of stuff that are still out of place.

Keep the Clutter at Bay
Don't buy things you don't need. In other words, don't bring more stuff into your classroom unless it will serve a specific purpose, and you have space for it. Also, just say no.

Let me repeat that last one. Just. Say. No. When your neighbor asks if you want her old collection of empty toilet paper tubes, just say no! First, WHY would you want them? Second, WHERE will you keep them. Third, do you REALLY need them? I mean, taking them won't make you a more effective teacher. And, they're just going to take up space. If you find that you really need those tubes later, ask your students to send them in.

Anytime is a good time to tackle the clutter, but as the new year approaches, make it a goal to get the clutter in your classroom under control. Making sure your classroom is clean, organized, and calm will help you and your students in the long run.

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Related Posts
Click an image to go to that post. :)

Decluttering your classroom is just one way to eliminate stress in your life. My post on Self-Care for Teachers will give you more ideas on how to eliminate and manage stress.

If you're looking to work smarter, not harder, then be sure to check out this post. By following some of the tips found there, you're sure to eliminate more stress in your life.

Looking for some easy to use organization ideas? Check out these posts.

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Classroom Organization = Teacher Happiness

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Am I the only one that gets excited about classroom organization? I think that most teachers have a desire to be organized. And, that is what this post is all about!

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Teachers have stuff. Lots of stuff. Therefore, we have a never ending need/desire/nagging feeling to be as organized as possible. Organization looks like different things to different people.

To me, organization means that everything has a place. It also means that things are easily accessible and tidy. So, hopefully today's organizational tips are helpful in making sure everything in your classroom has a place (fingers crossed), thereby keeping your space tidy.

CRAYONS
Do you use crayons in your classroom? Chances are, if you teach primary, well then, yes, you do. Don't you just love it when there are random crayons scattered about the classroom floor at the end of each day? Didn't think so.

Rather than attempt to locate the owner of unmarked, abandoned crayons, we add them to a crayon tub. This tub is where all the little lost crayons go to live.

The students are free to use the crayons in this tub as needed. It's so much nicer than hearing random blurts of, "I don't have a blue!" They know they can just get up and get a blue, or whatever.

NOTE CARDS
I love note cards! I keep several sets on hand at school because you never know when you might need to tell someone thank you, or decide that you want to write a special note to a student. Rather than have 5 different packs of cards floating around inside my desk, I keep my cards organized in a mini expanding file folder (coupon holder). They are perfect for holding all the cards and envelopes, and I can easily grab a card when needed!

REWARD TAGS
It's no secret. I'm a huge fan of reward tags. And, so are my students. These necklaces are only worn once a week, which means they have to be stored somewhere for safe keeping. This space below my whiteboard is perfect for storing our necklaces.

Each hook (push pin) is labeled with students numbers rather than names. I use calendar number cards. This allows me to reuse the labels year after year.

What I love best about this space is that the kids can easily get to and return their necklaces without any issues or the necklaces getting lost or damaged.

One more thing I do to organize my reward tags is write student numbers on the back of the tags (usually just the first tag they are given). This way, if we ever find a stray necklace, we know exactly where that set of tags goes.

Think you could use these calendar numbers to help keep your reward tags organized? Click HERE to grab them.

Clipboards
Whether you have 5 clipboards or 20, it's helpful to put them in one spot that keeps them contained yet accessible. After all, we want the students to be able to access the materials intended for use. I store my clipboards in a metal tub. It's not fancy. But, organization doesn't need to be. The tub makes it easy for the kids to grab and return a clipboard throughout the day.

Tech
I hate cords. With a passion. We were given these devices in the past two years, and the cords were getting out of control. So, I found it necessary to contain them (because they gave me the heebie jeebies every time I looked at them). Having some sort of system to store your tech and manage the cords allows for ease of use and keeps the heebie jeebies away.

These bamboo stations are from Amazon. The quality is great. Each device plugs into a power strip which fits comfortably inside each station. Click here to learn more about this charging station option.

TEACHING MATERIALS
Let me start by stating that I am not a "binder person." Binders are not my go to resource for organizing ALL the things. BUT, I do find them to be the perfect tool for organizing specific lessons and samples. I have a binder for back to school, the holidays, special projects, etc.

Rather than store these lesson ideas, masters, and samples in a file folder, they are stored in page protectors and zipper pouches in a binder. It actually prolongs the life of the masters and samples (less creasing), and it is really easy to find what I need.

For example, I use a three inch binder to store all of my back to school lessons, samples, task cards, and so forth. This binder cover is from Learning in Wonderland.

I store craft samples in page protectors along with the masters that go with that craft.

And, task cards, around the room cards, etc. are stored in zipper pouches within the binder.

The binder set up allows me to easily go through all of my resources and quickly choose what I want to use each year.

NEW STUDENTS
I know I've shared this before, and I know it's a well known trick, but new student bags are a simple but highly effective way to stay organized. These are especially useful if you have a lot of movement at your school, as I do.

A new student bag is where you place all the items a new student will need into a plastic bag. When you are told that a new student is on the way, you grab a bag and it's very easy to prepare for that new student's arrival within just a few minutes.

Putting together a new student bag takes very little effort and saves you from scrambling the morning a new student arrives. I always set mine up before school starts as I'm preparing these same materials for the students on my beginning of the year roster.

I store my new student bags in a crate on my storage shelf. When I get a new student slip in my box, I grab a bag from my shelf and set up a desk. Easy peasy.