Organizational Tips

"Sets" of books are great to keep together in an organized fashion. I prefer mine are organized by DRA level, with the "set" of books (usually 5 copies) all next to each other for ease of grabbing out. I use these Sterillite bins here, and store on hanging shelves at the top border of the classroom. This keeps students out of the sets. 

Find a large bookshelf that takes up a lot of horizontal space. You want to store up, not out. Keep the lower DRA levels at the bottom (for young ones) and the higher DRA levels at the top for more advance readers. Label the side of your books with the DRA number, so your students keep it organized for you. 

Use an individualized leveled series for students to access on a daily basis? We store ours in file folders! Label the "story"  it goes with outside of the file folder and keep the book and all of its contents in the file folder. This will help students keep track of which one they are on, and how far they have to go! It's very accessible. 

This is a no brainer- get the Waseca Language shelf organizers. Even if you don't like their language work, use their beautiful storage system! If you can't splurge, use a similar "drawer" system. This makes every classroom appear so organized.

Keep your journals stacked on a Language shelf. Use a bookend if they like to slant and fall. Put the student names on the sides so they can easily see which one is theirs. Keep writing paper in a paper organizer for students to access as they need to. 

Moveable alphabet(s)? Dictionaries? All language supplies that you want your students to have access to need to have a home on the shelf. You don't want to have to "get it for them." Keep like minded things together, but all with its own space.

Hanging file folders are ideal. Within a hanging file, use a colored folder (green for done) to indicate to students if something is finished or not. Teach them this concept at beginning of year.

Use a yellow colored folder within the students same hanging file folder to signify it is not done. Regularly check with the student the contents and encourage them to complete items.

About once a month, take the contents out of the students green folder to go home. Go through contents to ensure it is finished and organized, and send home in a pouch or bag. 

Organize your language shelves by sections. Don't have a "grammar" shelf mixed in with handwriting. Have the sections clear to your students. Regularly change the contents of your shelves.

Place shelf work on trays. Only have what the student needs on the tray- nothing extra. Have each tray be organized (if you need slots, have containers or dividers). Keep your shelves fresh!

Use individual pencil cups to display colored pencils, scissors, writing pencils, and other supplies for students to access. Regularly check to replenish the supplies as needed.