Back to School Series: Organizing Your Classroom and Classroom Systems for a New School Year
Quick question: What state did you leave your classroom in before you left for summer break?
If you’re like many teachers, you were likely so spent by the time that last day arrived that you shoved everything in a closet and handed in your keys. Sound familiar?
Well, guess what - we’ve got to clear the clutter before the first day of school, so it’s time to get organized for a new school year!
But, don’t worry - We’ll take it step by step so that you don’t get overwhelmed.
Taking Inventory On Classroom Supplies and Resources
If you are like me, then you love a good old fashion checklist. What's better? A checklist that is completely checked off!
Wait. I can top that.
How about a checklist that is made FOR you.
Yup. Pure happiness.
Right about now those back to school ads are coming out, taunting us with their stacks of sticky notes, packs of new shiny new markers …someone hold me back!).
And don't get me started on the cute file folders I saw in my grocery store (of all places!). I'm not even teaching right now and was convinced I needed them!
But, then of course, we are so distracted by the eye candy that we fail to get those essentials (where are those Lysol wipes when you need them?)
So, first, let’s get organized for getting organized with the ULTIMATE Checklist of classroom supplies and resources.
A great way to get a handle on your classroom organization is by taking inventory of everything that you have. To help you get started, I’ve put together 4 sets of inventory checklists. There are checklists for student supplies, teacher supplies, math supplies, and even your classroom library.
ORGANIZING STUDENT DATA
Another thing to organize before the school year starts is your student data system. Having detailed information about students' needs and abilities helps schools offer tailored services that enhance their education.
But keeping all that data organized? It can be a real headache! Too often, student data ends up scattered across random papers or stuck on post-it notes strewn across a desk.
Let's put an end to the paperwork chaos by creating a straightforward yet efficient student data binder. Once set up, it'll be easy to maintain throughout the year, keeping everything in one place and making data management a breeze.
Why you need a Student Data binder
Having a comprehensive data binder is crucial not only for keeping records of family communication, work samples, and basic information easily accessible but also for obtaining services for students when necessary.
As a new teacher who initially lacked a data binder, I learned the hard way how essential it is during CSE meetings to have proper documentation supporting service requests for students.
Your data binder acts as concrete evidence, allowing you to demonstrate to parents and service providers why a student would benefit from specific modifications or services.
It's also invaluable for parent-teacher conferences, enabling you to explain a student's needs clearly with strong documentation and show parents their child's progress over time through work samples and documented goals.
What goes into your student data binder?
Data binders do NOT need to be complicated. If fact, I've seen the most simple data binders are the most effective. Here's what I keep in mine:
Once you lay down the foundation for your data binder, adding important documentation as you gather it throughout the year becomes a breeze.
Check out my quick video tutorial on setting up your student data binder:
Organize Classroom Supplies & Resources
Do you have random game pieces scattered all over your classroom? Are you lacking storage space for all your centers? What about your classroom library? Does it need some help? I’ve got you covered with tons of tips for keeping classroom games, supplies, and books in order!
Tips for Organizing & Storing Classroom Games
You've got plenty of options for storing your classroom games, and having them piled on a shelf in a falling-apart box definitely isn't one! Instead, take inspiration from fellow teachers and try out these genius storage ideas:
Tips for Organizing & Storing Classroom Materials
From student headphones to art supplies - let’s give all your classroom materials a place in your classroom!
Tips for Organizing Your Classroom Library
Categorizing and Labeling Books
An organized classroom library not only looks nice - but it also helps to ensure your students can find books that they love!
Think about how you want to organize your classroom library. Here are some common ways to consider:
Organize by:
AR
DRA
Guided Reading
Lexile levels
By Genres
By Author
Alphabetical Order
By Themes or Topics
Note: Classroom libraries often mix and match different organization methods. For instance, you might opt for leveled baskets based on students' reading abilities AND also have baskets with books at varied levels but related by topic, theme, or author.
Try using colored dot stickers on book covers to show reading levels. This way, you can have books of different levels in the same basket, all tied to a topic or theme. It lets students "shop" for books within their favorite topics or authors while still picking ones suited to their reading level.
Want a step-by-step tutorial (including how to make labels for your classroom library organization system!)?
Check out this video from Pocketful of Primary:
Digital Library Tools for Classroom Library Book Management
With the help of a few apps, you can easily keep track of the books in your classroom library as well as properly label them with the appropriate reading level.
These apps allow you to scan the barcodes of your classroom books and create a database of each title in your classroom.
My favorite app for this is Booksource. And the best part is that it is a completely FREE app for teachers!
You can also train your students to use the system. In fact, create a Librarian classroom job to help you manage the books each week.
Here are a few other apps and digital tools worth checking out to help you manage your classroom library inventory:
Book Wizard app from Scholastic
Intelliscanner (a bit pricey - but many teachers swear by it!)
Other Tips & Tricks for Your Classroom Library
Check out these other quick tips for keeping your classroom library organized:
Use a trash can with a revolving lid as a book drop
Use a trash can with a revolving lid as a book drop for students to return books back to the library. Have a designated student be the “librarian” and return books to correct baskets.
Create a “Recommended Books” Bin: Looking for a quick win with your community of readers? This idea takes little to no prep and is completely student run.
Here's how it works:
Prepare a bin in your classroom labeled "Recommended Books."
Students read their own books during independent reading time.
If a student really likes the book and thinks that other students may as well, they place it in the "Recommended Books" bin. When a student is looking for a new book, he/she can check out the books that their classmates have recommended and choose to read them as well.
Option: Have students include a sticky note on the book cover that says "Recommended by: __________." The student choosing the recommended book can connect with the student who recommended it to swap thoughts.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
Creating a Community of Readers in Your Classroom // Part 1: Start Simple
Creating a Community of Readers // PART 2: Turn Up the Heat!
ORGANIZING YOUR TEACHER MATERIALS
Being a teacher means having tons of stuff! From your lesson plans to filing cabinets to materials on your desk, there's a mountain of things that need organizing. Let's dive into organizing your teaching materials from start to finish!
Organizing Your Lesson Plans
Group your teaching resources by topic, skill, theme, or month to streamline your organization. Create separate binders for each topic, skill, or theme, where you can neatly store all related printables and lesson plans. This method from Teaching With Terhune ensures quick and easy access to the materials you need when planning or teaching specific lessons. Plus, it helps maintain a clear and organized system for your teaching resources, making it simpler to locate and utilize them efficiently.
Create separate binders for each topic, skill, or theme, where you can neatly store all related printables and lesson plans.
Use a jumbo binder to store master copies of all of your handouts.
Like the idea of having everything in one place? Use a jumbo binder to store master copies of all of your handouts. Divide by subject/topic using divider tabs. If fitting everything into a jumbo binder seems impossible, create a binder for each subject. You’ll still be consolidating the amount of binders you’ll need and this will make it easy to grab what you need for the copy room.
OR - as an alternative to using binders all together, check out this great solution by Brooke Brown from Teach Outside the Box about using project/file cases instead!
Don’t have the space for all the binders you’ll need for storing your lessons? Then hang tight for a bit and we’ll talk about how to store all your resources digitally later on in this post!
Organizing Your Filing Cabinets
It’s not hard for our filing cabinets to become the junk-drawers of the classroom! Setting up a system that you can stick to throughout the year is key!
Let’s look at some options on how to organize your filing cabinets.
Bonus Tip: Keep your read-aloud books used throughout the year in a filing cabinet for easy access! This is great to make sure you always have the book you need when you need it without having to thumb through the classroom library.
Organizing Your Weekly Materials
In addition to managing long-term lesson plans and keeping filing cabinets in order, it's essential to have a system for organizing materials you use weekly. These materials are often taken from your lesson plan binders or filing cabinets for immediate use.
To make these weekly materials readily available, create a designated section on or near your teacher desk where you can easily access them. This setup ensures that the materials you need frequently are conveniently located for quick retrieval during your daily teaching activities.
Here are some solutions that teachers have used in their own classrooms.
Try color-coding 1-3 week’s worth of materials at at time
Like many teachers, I prefer to be prepared for 1-3 weeks in advance. To plan for multiple weeks, try color-coding each week. Assign a unique color to each week, and then organize handouts or other resources needed for each day within that week's color-coded daily folders, labeled Monday through Friday. This system makes it easy to grab the materials you need for each day quickly and efficiently.
Use plastic drawers to keep daily handouts in order
Another way to organize your daily materials is to use plastic drawers to keep daily handouts in order, and to keep track of papers that need graded, copied, or filed. These drawer sets are a space saver, too!
Alternatively, if you'd rather organize your weekly materials by subject, consider using labeled baskets. Each basket can be dedicated to a specific subject like reading, writing, math, and so on. This setup makes it simple to grab the basket you need for a particular subject and go!
Organize your weekly materials by subject, consider using labeled baskets
Organizing Your Teacher Space
Whether you have a traditional teacher desk or a shared space like a small-group table that serves as your workspace, keep your teacher area organized and functional throughout the year with these helpful tips!
Tip 1: Binder clips keep cords at your desk from tangling!
Tip 2: Label all the cords at your desk with washi-tape!
Tip 3: Repurpose a toolbox for all your odds-and-ends like pens, markers, thumbtacks, sticky notes, etc.
Tip 4: Keep small desk supplies organized in a tackle box.
Tip 5: Have some storage to hide under your desk? Check out this simple tutorial for creating a table skirt to hide your materials!
Tip 6: Make sure to label your teacher supplies clearly to differentiate them from your students' supplies. You can use washi tape or other markers to clearly mark your items and keep them separate from those belonging to your students.
Organize Your Computer Files
How often do you find yourself wasting time searching for the perfect activity or lesson that you know you already have somewhere on your computer?
You know the drill—you're about to teach a new unit, and you remember a fantastic lesson that would be just right.
But then the struggle begins as you try to recall where you stored it on your computer. You scour your desktop and folders endlessly, wasting precious minutes or even hours. Finally, when you do locate it, you promise yourself to get organized... when you have a spare moment.
Well, how about making that spare moment now? It’s time for the Digital Detox!
I've got 3 simple steps to help you organize your computer files so that the next time you need that specific activity, it's right there at your fingertips. And the summertime is the PERFECT time to get it done so that you can set yourself up for a successful school year!
Now, you’ve got the tools, the ideas, the inspiration - it’s time to put your organizational skills to work!