Classroom organization is so needed when it comes to efficiency in your class. Here are simple ways to find the time to organize your class!
This afternoon, after our morning of staff development and then some time socializing at a fabulous house of one of our middle school students, we were able to work in our classrooms. It was great to see the new Principal and Asst. Principal grilling up a storm for us after they had already made breakfast! {What’s that saying, “The Best way to a Teacher’s Heart is through their stomach?!?”}
Not knocking the rain at all, we seriously need it here in Texas! Brought the temperature down quite a bit and it can stay there for all that I care. 🙂
Classroom Organization – From Hot Mess to Clean & Neat
Let’s focus on the classroom. The other day I shared with you a 360-degree view of my classroom. Total hot mess! I was freaking out after I left on Saturday because there was still so much to do! I was still going through the prior retired teacher’s resources that she left from her 35 years of teaching and I now believe that I have earned the name of the “Queen of Recycling” due to how much I have recycled and thrown away! CRAY CRAY I tell you!
Do you see that rolling cart full of stuff? And then the piles on the floor? Seriously a hot mess. {You can click the picture to see it larger.}
I couldn’t do anything with all of that stuff (and the two other boxes on the other side of the room) until I went through all the stuff that was currently on the one bookcase built into my classroom. All of that wasn’t mine and had to be looked through before I could get organized. So today was the day to sit down and do just that!
Don’t overcomplicate organizing your classroom
After 2 1/2 hours worth of work, 2 full boxes and 2 HUGE trash-cans full of trash {as well as recycling over 30 binders to my secretary}, it is finally CLEAN and NEAT! I am so proud of what I accomplished! I was even able to hang my lover new poster of Sheldon up on the wall next to my future Bazinga! board.
I’m seriously stoked that I was able to get this done. I did not feel that I could get on with “decorating” my room until the stuff that needed to be put away was taken care of. WHEW!
I also was able to finish filling my table tubs to start the year. Fortunately, I used these same tubs last year {well 5 green ones} but this year needed six tables so I went and got three of the teal ones to match my room. I have included all of what you see in the picture above and will include a pencil sharpener once I have acquired 6 of them to fill my buckets. Last year, all but 1 of mine bit the dust over the course of the year so I have to get new ones.
Should I add anything else? I was thinking 2 things of clear tape once our budget opens and I can get that as well. I DO NOT keep rulers at the desks for those times when a kid wants to spin it around on their pencil and just my fear is that it will fly across the room and poke someone’s eye out. Yes, I know, I’m paranoid but it could totally happen!
Okay, enough grabbing for today. I need to get out of here and spend some time with the hubby! Tomorrow is another busy day!