Do you need help to be a more organized teacher? Read about my top 7 practical classroom organization ideas for solutions to help you sort through the clutter.
If you’re reading this post, you might be just starting beginning to set up your classroom or… you might just be feeling like you need some NEW classroom organization ideas, to reduce the clutter and help you know that all valuable resources have a place, which ultimately will save you a whole heap of valuable time.
If you’re the latter, you might relate to this story…
Early in my teaching career, a student approached me after the lesson with his completed assessment paper in his hand. “Miss, where do you want me to put this?” he asked.
I struggled to point him in the right direction.
Scratching around the clutter of piled papers on my desk, I frantically looked for some space for him to put it down.
“Just add it to the pile!” I said, cringing at the thought of having to sort through this mountain of papers later after the students had left.
Are you lost in a pile of clutter too? You probably need help with some classroom organization ideas as I did
Not having a clear classroom organization system can cause a lot of stress, as well all the time it takes to tidy up at the end of each day – Plus not being able to find things when you need them!
Don’t get bogged down in all the clutter and papers in your classroom!
Please let me help you – because I know your pain – I was a disorganized mess when I started out.
To give you a bit of an idea of what I was like as a beginning teacher… my desk was just the dumping ground for anything. By the end of each day, it had piled up so high with – lesson planning materials, student workbooks, resources and papers of all sorts. You name it!
It was a nightmare! Then at the end of a busy day came the mammoth job of sorting it all out and then to find homes for it all. (which I didn’t have a clue about)
Teacher training doesn’t teach classroom organization ideas... not in my experience, anyway. But I honestly think this should be a prerequisite subject to teach educators how to be super organized and keep all their papers in order. It’s SO necessary, in such a busy and demanding role!
I really hated being disorganized and not able to find things when I needed them. It wasted heaps of my time… and wasn’t very professional. And time isn’t something teachers have much of – So, I realised I needed to urgently do something about it. – ‘IT’ became my mission to become much more organized teacher.
Whenever I could, I would ask my colleagues how they kept things in order (without giving away my secret, that I didn’t feel like I knew what I was doing).
But, classroom organization ideas seemed to be a closely held SECRET and only known by the few.
In my search, I luckily came across a wonderful site called Teach 4 the Heart, where I found the shrouded strategies to me with my ‘paper problems’ and how to accomplish a smooth-running classroom.
Who knew it would take a structured intentional system!!
Classroom organization ideas – get an organized system going
Through a recommendation at Teach 4 the Heart, I stumbled across an awesome program called the 40 Hour Teacher Work Week club.
Long story short, I signed up for this amazing program and what I learnt I could fill a book with. But right now, I want to share with you the clever classroom organization ideas that helped me successfully get organized and be much more productive with my time… and definitely no longer worry about where that important piece of paper was!
Here are my top 7 classroom organization ideas that I implemented in my own classroom; for storage and management of all the stuff that’s I had collected and ideas to help you put your hands on important things quickly.
This information saved me and helped to stop the chaos in its tracks. I hope it can do that for you too!
In addition, I’ve also included the purchase links through Amazon for each item, so you can quickly and easily buy my favourite storage tools and get them set up in your own classroom in no time!
This post may contain affiliate links. IF you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Easy classroom organization ideas
Classroom organization ideas # 1 – 3-tray trolley on wheels
This storage system is invaluable to keep everything close-to-hand near your teaching desk. Plus it can be easily wheeled around to where you need it in your room:
- The top tray can be used for all different stationery items like rubber bands, permanent markers, sticky notes, glue sticks, highlighters, etc. (this makes visible and quick to grab when you need it).
- the other trays are for anything you use on a regular basis. My second tray is for finished marking items. The last tray can be for ongoing jobs, like laminating or to-do’s or anything really!
Classroom organization ideas # 2 – In-tray
I use these types of clear document trays for both ‘in’ and ‘out’ correspondence. Label them so you can tell the difference. It really helps with all the important paperwork that arrives in your classroom, to immediately organize it and keep your desk clutter-free. A must for any organized teachers desk!
Esselte SWS Document Tray Clear
Classroom organization ideas # 3 – Easy filing system
This is a must-have item on your desk because it keeps all the files, plus stationary right to hand. Anything you use daily should be stored here.
When I started to use this filing system, my stress levels really subsided because I could quickly find important things I needed – like the student attendance roll, stickers & certificate, reading data, PLC info etc.
This mesh organizer is the same sort I have:
SimpleHouseware Mesh Desk Organizer with Sliding Drawer, Double Tray and 5 Upright Sections, Black
Tip: To remind yourself where everything goes, label each file slot so your items go back neatly in the same spot each time.
Classroom organization ideas # 4 – Filing cabinet
Having a filing cabinet in your classroom goes without saying, but if you’re new, get yourself one of these (if it hasn’t been provided by the school).
You will store so many of your resources in these drawers, as well as student files, lesson plans, photocopying and the like, to keep all your papers straight.
Tip: If you have the extra money, it’s worthwhile getting a 4-drawer system for the extra space it will provide.
Lorell 16873 2-Drawer Mobile File Cabinet, 18-Inch Depth – Gray
Classroom organization ideas # 5 – Sorting tray
This simple plastic tray is really easy to use as a sorting tray and very useful for many jobs in the classroom (get as many as you need).
To use it as a sorting tray, designate it for all the large quantities of items that arrive in your room on a daily basis. (Don’t forget to label it as such). Place the pile of items here like bulk photocopying etc, place it here and then sort it all and put it away later, when you have the time. Stops the pile-ups getting in the way.
Uxcell Plastic Office Books Document File Classification Storage Organizer Basket Blue
Classroom organization ideas # 6 – trays for days of the week
This 5 tier plastic drawer storage trolley is one of the best things you’ll ever purchase for your classroom organization.
The trolley is perfect in so many ways. Because it has 5 drawers, it is ideal for all your classroom lesson materials and resources for the days of the week – Monday through to Friday – I kept all my pre-prepared lesson resource photocopies in mine. You can have a week’s worth or more (in folders) out of the way and easy to grab ready on a required day. (Label each drawer with the days of the week).
It’s helpful to have another one of these trolleys to store all of the subject material for each curriculum area too. Label each drawer – English, History, Science etc and then you’ll know where to file everything neatly away and remove the clutter from view. Awesome to organize your lessons ahead of time.
5 Tier Large Plastic Drawer Storage Organiser level Office Box Cabinet with 4 wheels D513 black
This filing system is one of my favourite ‘go-to’ organizing items that I wouldn’t be without when setting up a classroom.
Classroom organization ideas # 7 – Marking caddy
Establishing a specific marking/grading caddy is a much-needed classroom organization idea because you can keep everything in one place and grab it when completing your marking.
Store all the stationery here that you will require; like – bull-dog clips, stickers, stamps, pens, highlighters, sticky notes and feedback sheets. Use in conjunction with a large tray from tip 5, that’s big enough to have space for all the student exercise books and assessment papers bundled together in a class set.
mDesign Plastic Portable Craft Storage Organizer Caddy Tote, Divided Basket Bin (pack of 4)
These caddies are also very useful to store student supplies for table groups, as well as art or craft equipment.
To finish – classroom organization ideas
So what do you think? Is there anything you could use here to help with your classroom organization?
These items will save you unwanted stress to ensure you know where everything is in your room.
Why not purchase it HERE before you go, to save yourself some precious time!
And if you’re a beginning teacher, this is the bare-basics of items you’ll need to set up your room. But, I wish I’d known about these smart classroom organization ideas when I was first starting out. Enjoy!
Michelle x
Related Articles
- 10 Easy Working from Home Tips to Save Your Sanity (For Busy Women)
- 5 Essential Working Smarter Tips for Teachers (You don’t want to miss!)
- 7 Super Easy Ways to Simplify Your Teacher Life
- The Secret to Easy Meal Planning for Busy Teachers
REMEMBER FOR LATER. PIN TO YOUR FAVOURITE BOARD!
Leave a Reply