Teacher Week '13: Organizing for Instruction

 I love an organized classroom and have a few tips to share! 

I have a file folder for each day of the week. I use these folders to keep handouts, supplies, notes, etc. organized. I keep these on the right hand side of my desk, always within reach. Before I leave school on Friday afternoon I make sure everything is organized for the next school week. When I walk in on Monday morning everything is organized and I'm not scrambling to put together last minute lessons. I just open up the folder and all of my supplies are organized by the order of subjects for any given day. I laminated the folders so they will easily last all year. 

You can pick up your own set of labels in my TPT store HERE! 

I assign every student a number at the beginning of the school year that corresponds to their name in alphabetical order. Students are required to write their name AND number on each assignment. My aide (yes, I have an INCREDIBLE teacher's aide) and I can quickly put assignments in alphabetical order by looking at the numbers. 

Each student has a mailbox with his/her number. On Friday morning all graded assignments and projects are placed in the student mailboxes. My aide files all of the papers for me. We don't waste valuable class time passing out graded assignments! The mailboxes are shoe organizers from Target. I bought them 5 years ago and they have worked perfectly ever since. I rarely interrupt class to give a child a note or reminder from the office. I usually just drop it in their mailbox and they know to check it for mail at the end of every school day.

I used labels and binder clips to write the numbers for each mailbox: 

I have a ton of storage space in my classroom, but I'm always looking for more! I do not like a cluttered classroom so I bought some table skirts: 

And look at all the storage I have underneath! If this was visible to my students and parents it would drive me NUTS! I have a few desks and chairs hidden under another table. Table skirts provide instant storage and a pop of color to any classroom! 

I dust and clean every square inch of my classroom at the beginning of every school year. I've been putting it off for a few days, but I finally climbed on top of my cabinets to wipe down the dust and hang up my alphabet! 

What are some of your favorite ways to stay organized? Share your tips and tricks in the comments! 

Heather