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Organizational Tips

Guided Reading Books

Reading Comprehension Books

Guided Reading Books

"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. 

Classroom Books

Reading Comprehension Books

Guided Reading Books

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. 

Reading Comprehension Books

Reading Comprehension Books

Reading Comprehension Books

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. 

Language Shelf Work

Language Shelf Work

Reading Comprehension Books

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.

Journals & Writing

Language Shelf Work

Journals & Writing

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. 

Language Supplies

Language Shelf Work

Journals & Writing

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.

Quick Access Teacher Materials

Less Accessible Teacher Materials

Quick Access Teacher Materials

Teachers need a place to access what they need quickly. Try to figure out what you need to access on a regular or frequent basis, and have a small cupboard right outside of your classroom.

Classroom Job Display

Less Accessible Teacher Materials

Quick Access Teacher Materials

Use an old window pane for a perfect job display. These are ideal because you can see each job from across the room. Display in a top corner of your classroom so it's easily recognizable from afar. 

Less Accessible Teacher Materials

Less Accessible Teacher Materials

Less Accessible Teacher Materials

Materials for units or shelves aren't needed on a regular basis, keep them stored away! Use a storage shelf in a closet to hide away items. Bins and drawers on the shelf maintain its appeal.

Personal Teacher Belongings

Teacher Storage in Classroom

Less Accessible Teacher Materials

Keep teacher belongings outside. This decreases the chances of pilfering, and maintains the reverence of the children's classroom. Ideally, outside of the classroom in a safe closet.

Teacher Storage in Classroom

Teacher Storage in Classroom

Teacher Storage in Classroom

Some items are good for a teacher on hand to have (pens) Find a space to designate a "teachers shelf" for items to be placed on in emergencies, and drawers for each teacher to have to store. 

Student Belongings

Teacher Storage in Classroom

Teacher Storage in Classroom

All student belongings should be outside of the classroom. Hooks work great for student bags, with room to keep their shoes below. Have a "lunch box" shelf for quick access to lunch. 

Student Work: Finished

Student Work: Unfinished

Student Work: Unfinished

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.

Student Work: Unfinished

Student Work: Unfinished

Student Work: Unfinished

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.

Student Work: To Go Home

Student Work: Unfinished

Student Work: To Go Home

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. 

Language "Sections"

Language "Sections"

Student Work: To Go Home

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.

Choice / Shelf Work

Language "Sections"

Choice / Shelf Work

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!

Supply Shelf

Language "Sections"

Choice / Shelf Work

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.

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