Classroom Organization: Tips and Tricks

My name is Catherine, and I am an organization addict. It's true friends. I love procedures and order and know my classroom runs smoothly because of these things. Today I'm sharing with you how organization helps maximize learning in our classroom and how I maximize my time as a teacher. Now, my room is definitely not 1st-grade ready, but the key organization pieces are up and running from last year or have been added this summer. Since I'm not ready to show the big-picture, this post may jump around a bit. Still, I hope you enjoying seeing how my classroom runs! :)

We'll start in our classroom library where you find our wooden display shelf and our student book bins (from Really Good Stuff), as well as, Sterelite containers for themed books. If you search #1stgradebookshelf on Instagram you can sneak a peek at our weekly themed-bookshelves. I love these shelves because they expose students to a wide variety of books and authors, and build excitement. My friends can't wait to see what books I've chosen for us on Monday mornings! Plus, my friends BEG for extra reading time on Monday mornings.

I store and organize all of these books by month or general theme. I try to keep one theme in each bin, but sometimes small themes (like teeth or Valentines Day) double-up in the containers.

For student book bins I label them by number and attach the labels with permanent Glue Dots. Over all of last year, I only lost 3 labels by using the glue dots...making library set-up a breeze this year!

Next, onto our library: I have two LARGE metal cabinets. When you open them up, you find my Reading Street Leveled Readers (on the first shelf) and then, hard-back books (Seuss and Willems) and Listen to Reading Books.

I place listen-to-reading books in plastic bags if I have multiple copies of them. If I only have a single copy of a book, it goes in the bin solo. I sort the books into three groups - fall, spring, and anytime books. This makes trading out books for listening to read simple. I typically keep 5-6 different book choices in our listen to reading center. (To learn more about our Listen to Reading center here.)

For all of the listen to reading books, I use Glue Dots to attach the CD case and CD to the inside cover of the book. Although these CDs are loaded to my iTunes account, attaching the CD allows me and other teachers to always have access to them.

On the right in the above cabinet picture, you see a bin labeled "Weekly News". Last year, our team was blessed to receive Scholastic News from Donors Choose. We split up a subscription (5 copies per classroom), laminated the magazines, and saved them for future years. These are FABULOUS nonfiction articles, and we didn't want to lose them! This summer, I organized my magazines and clipped them together by month, so they are easy to grab this year.

On the bottom shelf, you see our Reading Street leveled readers. I keep these organized by story (meaning I mix the colors) and rubber band them so they are easy to reference. You can read more about how I make Reading Street work in a Daily 5 classroom here.

Directly across from my metal cabinets are floor-to-ceiling built-in green cabinets. I store my personal things coats, umbrellas, school bag on the left side and then, school things on the right. The bulk of the space is taken up by Guided Reading sets. Our school does not have any book room or guided reading sets, so using Scholastic $1 books I've started my own 'book room'. Be warned this is the least organized space of my room! I keep the books in plastic bins by guided reading level (my picture books are in plastic bags on the back of the top shelf and my chapter books are on the bottom shelf. Attached to the inside of the door, is a list of guided reading levels and what books I have. It's too easy to forget what I have, so this makes it much easier!

Moving to the right 3 feet, we're met by my Wall-o-Cubbies. I have 30 cubbies in my 1st grade classroom and use the last 6 cubbies for storage. I store things that I want my students to have access to in these cubbies because they are 1st grade sized. Even if completely stacked, students can reach the top bins.

I clearly label every bin so my friends know exactly what to grab and where to put materials back. This helps keep things organized and allows students to be in charge. My friends know that anything with a label can be touched by a 1st grader. If a bin doesn't have a label, they need to ask me before touching! (The bins on the left are size small and the ones on the right are size medium.)

On the left, you see a thin, unlabeled bin. My friends know they must ask first to open this container (because it's unlabeled). It holds all the dice I use for math games and differentiating math centers. I picked up a bead container from Michaels (with a coupon and my teacher discount) and it's the perfect way to store dice!

Then, we have our Math Center tubs and our Word Work tubs. I use the Large Sterelite Clip Top Tubs for centers and absolutely love them. I know they are definitely an investment...BUT take it slow and collect them one unit at a time. (A unit included 6 containers). My first year of teaching I purchased 2 units (12 bins) and they are still in perfect condition. They are big enough to hold a sheet of paper without folding/bending it, as well as, the bins don't open when dropped..a key detail in 1st grade! ;)
As my students make their reading and math choices, they grab the correct tub and during Word Work they also grab a word ring (as seen hanging from a Command Hook in the picture on the right). You can read more about our Math Centers here and more about Word Work here. If there are extra 'pieces' to a center that don't fit in a container (i.e. a 100s board as seen on the left or magnetic letters as seen on the right) I keep them on the bottom of the containers. Students will look at the visual directions (math and word work) on the top of each bin and know they are missing something!

Additionally, our number lines hang from a Command Hook. I purchased mine from Carson Delrosa, laminated them, hole-punched the end, and hung them. This keeps the number lines organized and easily accessible to my small friends.

Turning another 90 degrees, you see my teacher-table/guided reading table. I use my desk as a writing center, so I maximize the space behind and under my guided reading table for storage. Two years ago, I purchased a 10-drawer rolling cart that sits behind my desk. (You can buy it on Amazon or at Sams...although it's only $25 if you grab it from Sams!) Each drawer stores materials for the week. My drawers are labeled - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Copy, Laminate, Scholastic Reading Club, Extras, and a blank label. I use this blank label or 10th tub for emergency sub plans. Should I ever need to be out unexpectedly, I have 2 days worth of materials/lessons prepared...just a little peace of mind for me!

Across from the rolling cart, you have my teacher table. I keep a black 3-drawer Sterilite container under each side of my teacher table (I snagged these on sale from Target for $9 a piece). The one on the left (below) stores Guided Reading Materials and the one on the right remains unlabeled because they are my personal drawers (notes/cards, teacher data, and then, snacks). I organize my guided reading materials by my colored groups - green, yellow, blue, as well as, the round the group meets. I add the rounds for any guest teachers (substitutes) we might have in the classroom. Keeping materials below my guided reading table, allows me to easily grab materials and get started when a new group joins me. (If you're not familiar with how I color-code my groups, you can read more about it here.)

On the top of my desk, I keep a tri-container (a gift from a student) of writing utensils. I don't like students bringing any materials to my teacher table other than their blue work folder because it typically takes a lot of time and results in a messy learning space. In one container I keep highlighters and markers, in the second container I keep dry-erase markers, and in the third container I keep pencils and pens.

Right behind my teacher table, I also keep these color-coded bins organized and stocked for Guided Math. Often the manipulatives travel from bin-to-bin, but the assessments and mini-lesson materials are group-dependent. I love having my materials at arm's reach, and it's easy to restock them at the end of the day.

Organization is the key to a smooth-running classroom. It helps students know what to expect and gives them structure when working. My biggest takeaways from this year are (1) label things that you want students to be able to use independently (2) keep things at 1st-grader height and (3)figure out a color-system that makes management easy.

So, tell me, is organization something that comes naturally to you? What tips do you have for keeping it manageable? I'm always looking for new ideas, so I'd love to hear what works for you!