Classroom organization can be endless, but I have some great classroom organization hacks to save you time. There are loads of tricks I use to manage classroom organization and efficiency. I don’t even notice what I do unless I take the time to stop and analyze some of my strategies. Here are three great hacks for organizing frequently-used classroom supplies.
Classroom Organization and the Art Supply Shelf
My art supply shelf can be a place of total chaos, especially those items that are used regularly.
Markers
Markers, in particular, are often tossed when “put away.” Students seem to have a difficult time using the markers correctly. They often take one marker out of a box and then attempt to just throw the marker back into the larger container.
My solution: I store boxes of markers in small, plastic containers that have very little room for much else.
Since there’s no room to throw the marker in the plastic container, it forces students to actually open the marker box and return the pen. If you number your boxes, then you can assign each box to a table or group. This way you’ll know who is responsible for the box and can have students take care of organization.
Another hack for marker organization is to take a set of markers out of the box, and tape the markers together in a group by using a piece of strong tape on the pen covers. This way, the student takes the set and pulls the marker out of the lid for using. When returned, the marker goes back into the lid. I like to number each set. It’s difficult for students to simply toss a marker back into a container. Check out this blog post on classroom organization tips to reduce your stress and workload.
Classroom Organization for Reducing Colored Pencil Chaos
Another organizational tip is for colored pencils. Colored pencils used to drive me a bit crazy, but I’ve developed two organizational strategies to help. First, I use the same idea mentioned in the previous paragraph: I keep my boxed colored pencils in a small, plastic box just big enough for the 8-boxes I have.
Next, I often will take pencils from their boxes and organize them by color using cardboard toilet paper rolls. I know…crazy. But here’s why I LOVE this tip: kids often need just one or two colors. With the pencils organized by color and visible to all, it’s easy for them to get what they need and return the items to the correct location. It also makes the short pencils visible and accessible, so they’ll be used.
One other benefit to this method or organization is that if the pencils do need organizing (and there will be times that they do), you can ask a student who may need a break or a time-out to do this job. There are very few instructions necessary, and the kiddo needing a task to do has something easy and productive in front of them.
I love it when I reduce my stress load and increase my classroom efficiency. I’d love to hear some of your best organization tips. What’s one of your favorites?
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