There’s no denying it, teaching can be a messy job. Between lesson planning, grading, and managing a classroom of rowdy kids, it’s easy for things to start slipping through the cracks. But an organized classroom is a productive classroom, and these simple classroom organization hacks will help you get your room in tip-top shape in no time. So grab your glue sticks and let’s get started!
10 Easy Ways to Organize Your Classroom
- Use clear storage bins. This will help you keep track of small items like markers and crayons, and your students will be able to see what’s inside each bin so they can put things away quickly and easily. Plus, clear bins are great for labeling so you can always find what you’re looking for at a glance.
- Get some hooks. Hooks are perfect for hanging coats, backpacks, and other things that tend to end up on the floor. Install hooks at different heights so that even your littlest students can reach them.
- Invest in a rolling cart. A rolling cart is great for storing extra supplies, books, and materials that you don’t use every day but still want to keep within reach. Plus, it’s easy to move around so you can rearrange your classroom quickly and easily when necessary.
- Make use of vertical space. Install shelves high up on walls to store infrequently used materials or seasonal decor. This will free up valuable floor space and help you keep your classroom feeling open and airy.
- Label everything. From storage bins to hooks to shelves, labels will help you keep track of where everything is so you can always find what you need when you need it. Plus, labels help your students know where things go so they can put things away properly when they’re finished with them.
- Use binder clips for cords. Binder clips are an easy way to keep cords from getting tangled or lost behind furniture. Simply clip the cords to the side of a desk or table and voila – instant organization!
- Get a whiteboard calendar. A whiteboard calendar is a great way to keep track of important dates and events happening in your classroom (and beyond). Plus, it’s interactive so students can help add items to the calendar as needed – talk about ownership!
- Utilize wall space with command strips. Command strips are perfect for hanging posters, charts, student work, and more without damaging walls or leaving behind sticky residue. And they come in all sorts of sizes so you can customize them to fit your needs perfectly!
- Use drawer dividers. Drawer dividers are ideal for organizing small items like paper clips, rubber bands, push pins, etc. They’ll help you stay on top of the little things so you can focus on the big picture!
- Color code everything . Color coding is a great way to visually organize your classroom (and your life!). Assign each student a color and use that color throughout the year for everything from name tags to storage bins to worksheets – the sky’s the limit! Implementing even just a few of these hacks will make a world of difference in how organized (and sane) you feel throughout the year – give them a try today!
A well-organized classroom is a productive classroom – there’s no two ways about it! These simple hacks will help you get your room in tip-top shape so that you can focus on what’s really important: teaching! So grab your glue sticks and let’s get started!