How to Get and Keep Your Classroom Organized

I am known for my organization skills. I have had a few tell me that they are jealous of how organized I am. I come from a long line of organized women so I guess it is in my genes. If you have a messy classroom and are fine with it, that's great! Everyone has their own tolerance levels of things. My tolerance level of noise is quite high! But if you'd like to learn some ways to clean up your act, I have some organizing tips for you!

⭐️ Scan papers instead of filing paper copies, then name the file something searchable. Wherever you store your files, put them in folders so you can find them easily. Here is an example of this. You can also put folders inside of the folders. 

Name files things that you would search for. I have so many files that it is easier for me to type what the file is named in the search bar to find the file. These are my professional development certificates. This way I don't lose them!

⭐️ Recycle extra worksheets immediately-don’t save them for next year. I have some guilt about saving the trees, but I just don't have the storage to keep extra copies of worksheets. 

⭐️ Store things vertically: file cabinets with hanging folders or expandable files can hold more than just papers. 

⭐️ Rolling wire mesh shelves hold a lot and are easily movable. My school clears everything out each summer to clean so these make it easy. 

⭐️ Have a place for everything and teach the kids where those places are.

⭐️ Put things away right away or at the end of the day or the end of the week. I have a paper tray that kids put extra worksheets in. When it’s full, I put away/throw away whatever is in it. I have the kids help me with daily clean up as much as possible and I just stay at school until it’s done. As you can see, it is time to clean this out!

⭐️ Don't buy things because they are cute if they are not useful. I have a lot of stuff in my classroom. However, everything has a purpose or I put it away or get rid of it. I feel like kids have enough distractions without a bunch of decorations or posters that don't help them learn and end up distracting them. Some of those "Instagram classrooms" are way over-decorated. Remember, the classroom is for the kids, not to show off your decorating skills. Save that for home. 

⭐️ Get rid of stuff. Teachers are so afraid of getting rid of something they might need. If it is something for a different grade level, put it in a box, label it, and take it home to store. For other things, if you didn’t use it within a year, get rid of it or give it away. Having stuff doesn’t make you a better teacher. I have found some great treasures at the Target Dollar Spot but I have also bought a lot of junk that I just don't need!

⭐️ Make lists of materials, centers, supplies, etc. and where they are that you can refer to when you’re planning so you don’t forget to use things that are in the back of a cupboard or at the top of a shelf. 

⭐️ Organize your books by month. If you always study frogs in April, put those books on the April shelf. When a teacher needs a book, they come to me for it not only because I have a lot of books but because I can find it right away. Write your name in your books to ensure you'll get them back and if people don't return them, keep a list of who borrows and ask for them back. Give books you have multiple copies of to new teachers who are building their classroom libraries. 

⭐️ Keep like things together. All my math manipulatives are on one shelf.

My language arts materials are on a different shelf. 

⭐️ I have a missing pieces basket and when I find random cards or materials I collect them here and take time to put them away at some point. 

⭐️ Have a new student file. I can get the desk, folder, parent info, etc. ready quickly this way. 

⭐️ Store teaching materials by month/half-month/theme. I have 3 tubs for each month in which I keep the centers I will use and any other materials that are specific to that time period. In the summer I go through them and make sure all the pieces got put back and get rid of things I don't need anymore. I also make up any mini-books for the themes I'm teaching and have them ready. This saves me precious weekend time during the school year. 

⭐️ Clean out at the end of the year. You’re tired and ready for a break but you’re going to have a ton to do when August comes around and purging will go by the wayside. It is better to get it done while what you used is fresh in your mind. If you have to pack everything up, put all the things in an area of your classroom in the same box so unpacking will be easier (ex. all your small group materials in the same box, all your desk supplies in another box). 

Hopefully, some of these tips will help you on your organizational journey. Good luck!