Organization in The Classroom

Back to school? Did someone whisper BACK TO SCHOOL? Shhhhhh: Back to school. 
Are you thinking about the beginning of a new school year? 
For me, when the Fourth of July sparklers are extinguished my mind begins to think BTS. In an effort to do my part to contribute to the well being of your new year, I've gathered up OODLES of images to share from lots of my previous Author Illustrator School Visits. 

This is the second installment in my 'organizational' mini-series. My #1 viewed article here addressed this same topic last spring. So I KNOW this topic is of importance to readers everywhere! 
Let's get organized!!! Knowing how others manage their materials is such a boost to getting a grip on our own layout. Let's start with baskets, bins and buckets!

A lot of 'organization' has to do with the proper containers for all of your stuff goodies materials. These containers are available all over the place. Getting the proper number to fit your available shelving is one of the first steps to getting things into order. 

Let's take a look at getting all of those art supplies into order. Here are several different versions on the theme: Art-on-a-Cart. From my perspective as a former elementary Art teacher, I'm always drawn to seeing what Art supplies are available in the classroom. 

Let's look at something as simple as 'crayons.' I'm not here to tell you that there's a right and a wrong way to do anything when it comes to organizing. I am excited to share some of the many possibilities that are possible -- the ones that I've seen. I think that there's wisdom in the concept, "Create a System and then Stick with it!"

Take a look at these next crayons!!! I'd know a 'recycled icing container' anywhere. Save your containers. Then just wrap the icing container in the appropriate colored construction paper and label. VOILA!! Crayons by COLOR(!!!) and at no expense for the DIY'er!! 

Think of all of the awesome 'sorting' practice as children put their crayons away!

Do you just LUV LUV LUV the re-purposing in this next photo of an old 'veggie' tray? A great way to present your materials for creative projects!! All the children at the table can have easy access to all of the necessary supplies. Save these containers from your family reunion later this summer and put them to good use next fall! 

Next up. Several different 'table' supply containers that are used in Kindergarten rooms near and far -- where the students are sitting at tables. As you will see they come in all shapes and sizes. Teachers have differing ideas of what to 'house' in these community supply containers. It's fun to see what each teacher considers an essential element. Crayons are apparently the number one common denominator. 

Here's a couple of images of housing 'like' materials in one container. 

This series of puzzle racks make them look so inviting. I LUV how each puzzle is 'labeled' on the edge. Having such a wide assortment of puzzles, it's really necessary to have them easily accessible. Did you notice that the shelf itself is 'labeled' as well? 

All righty then! On to all of those 'manipulative materials' that are the hallmark of every classroom for young children. There are so many. They come in every possible size. What's a teacher to do? Look at all of these bright math manipulative materials... all housed together on the same set of shelves. COUNTING!! I see lots of opportunities to count with these bits and bobs.

And now for some 'building' materials. Those take up some serious real estate.

Now let's look at several different methods for using storage buckets. First up there's one that has been labeled with photos for the elements housed in each bucket. 

Now let's take a look at the way classroom libraries have been organized using buckets.

I LUV LUV LUV that children have written the labels for their book categories in this next photo! I'm wild about children's fine motor development and have an ongoing series entitled Fine Motor Friday: "Fine Motor Leads to Fine Arts." A couple of those first 21 installments are in my Top 10 list on the left side bar. 

[I bet #10 on the list today, Fine Motor Sign-In-Systems, will be replaced with this organizational article in time. Here's that link directly before it gets buried forever. It's a keeper for sure!]

Take a look at these 'classic book' bins. They are labeled with the photo of the cover of the book. Inside each bin are housed the 'manipulative' puppets and props that bring the book to LIFE!! This was seriously an A.MAZ.ING set of materials. Brilliant presentation. As a picture book author + illustrator I am in LUV with this concept for sure!

I took the lid off of this bin so that you could see what was hiding inside. Book and plush toy. SURPRISE!! What an incredible way to support young soon-to-be readers!! KUDOS!!!

Here are several different manners where individual children have a 'spot' for their work to collect. 

I wonder what is inside the 'Saturday' drawer? I didn't have time to peek!

Last but not least. I've saved the cream-de-la-cream for the BIG ENDING. Those of you who are familiar with my original songs for children know that I'm BIG on BIG ENDINGS!!! I like to leave my audience, whether bright eyed preschoolers or mature 2nd graders with an exclamation mark!!! It's my favorite punctuation mark!!!

In all my travels I had never seen this form of organizing one's teacher 'ANCHOR CHARTS.' This brilliant K teacher had each song and fingerplay laminated and hanging from a hanger!!! There was a free-standing display, dress-bar -- the kind you would see at a store displaying their new 'back-to-school' clothes to keep all of the charts ready and at hand. 

[***Time machine update. Want to see what a teaching space looks like where the teacher has coordinated EVERYTHING in her room? The anchor charts match her color scheme. INSPIRATIONAL, I tell ya. Purely inspirational! Click here to see tomorrow's post.] 

OK folks. That was a LOT of pictures! Even for me!! I think the most photos and collages I've ever posted in one article. Is there an award for most photos in one post? I hope that you've been inspired and have at least one new idea to tackle an area of concern in your room. 

If this is your first time here, I invite you to explore further. I'd suggest starting with the 'about me' section in the tab at the top. I go where I get invited for school visits across the country -- with my camera in hand! 

Here's the link to that first article on organization.

Part 3: Organization

I also have a 'follow-up' article on organization. Click here for Part 3. 

NOTE FROM THE FUTURE!!!! 

I transport ALL of the organizational ideas into 

ONE UBBER AMAZING ORGANIZATIONAL ROUNDUP 

{Just click the picture! For hundreds of ideas} 

Now. I have a favor to ask. Would you please pin your favorite suggestion? Thanks a gazillion. Now happy planning as your return to your room gets ever closer! 

I am now an Amazon Affiliate. I've already searched for some goodies for you. When you click through from here you will be supporting my retirement fund!! Thanks for your support. Here are some direct links to help you tackle one step of the organization challenge. 

Editors note from the future!
I am now on Teacher-Pay-Teachers and have opened a store there to offer my original songs for children in a digital download format -- with supplementary materials I'm creating. There's a FREEBIE Mp3 over there to introduce you to my work, entitled "Going to the Library." 

-- Debbie --

Newbies, here's some recent articles of mine, I think you'll like: 
Pete the Cat Picture Books
"Camping" as a Learning Center
Three Little Pigs (Comparative Writing)

I have added this to linkies at: 


Surfing Through Second
Learning with Mrs. Parker
Confessions of a Teaching Junkie
Kindergarten RoundUP

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