Classroom Management & Organization in the New Year

Happy, happy New Year everyone!  We go back to school tomorrow...this has been one fast Christmas break!  Are you ready to get back to school organized and managing your classroom?  I know I am.  I must have my things organized or it drives me crazy!  But with so many students and different classes coming in and out of my room, it gets out of order quickly!

1.  Get Control of the Paper!

I don't have a paper mess like this (I would truly not survive if my room looked this way), but I do seem to always be looking for a better way to get organized with student papers.  

These small plastic drawers are just the right size for student papers.  I would label them for each class, but classroom teachers could give each student their own.  Just take a drawer and go!

2.  Student Anecdotal Notes

I just could not get my anecdotal records together like I wanted.  So I created my own.  This notebook keeps all my notes for small group reading in one place.  Will save me so much time and will also help me to be more focused in my small group planning.  Click the picture to see it.  I will be posting about how I use it on Sunday. 

3.  Cleanliness is Next to Godliness 

Just like at my house, I don't know how things get so dirty and dusty so quickly!  To help with this, I keep a duster at school to try to keep my bookshelves and desks clean.  My duster at school isn't nearly this pretty...it's just one drab color, but it does the trick!  

4.  Keep it Smelling Good!

I teach in a room without windows.   No ceiling fan either.  Sometimes the room can pick up some smells from the children!  Bath and Body Works Wallflowers makes things smell sweet again!  If  that doesn't do the trick, I also keep a can Lysol in the room if it's really bad!  

5.  Bulletin Board Display 

Dandelions and Dragonflies posted this picture of how to display student work in the hall.  She has a super cute room by the way!  Click the picture to go check it out.  Laminating background paper and attaching a clothespin would save a TON of time and work when displaying all the hard work from students.  Love this idea!

6.  Reading Supplies- Keep them Covered and Put Away

Again those plastic drawers can be such a help with organization!  They really should give teachers a discount on them.  I have 3 classes of kindergartners.  One drawer for each class.  I love how they look covered.  It covers up the materials and mess on the inside.  And you can put so much in these larger, deeper drawers.

7.  Organize Student Work in One Place

I like to use  Reader's Notebooks for student work.  Now students can keep all their work work, comprehension, vocabulary work and different reading goals and progress all in one spot.  It helps the student and me to manage it all if it is in one notebook.  Students can come into class, grab their notebook, pencil and book and are ready to go!  Click the picture to see it.

8.  Student Supplies

Unbelievably, I have not organized my pencils this way yet!  I think I may be behind the times on this.  I need to get going and do this.  This cute picture is from Mandy at Tickled Pink.  Click the picture to go to her cute blog!

Have you organized your crayons, markers, colored pencils this way yet?  Again, those plastic drawers making a teacher's life easier!  My Joy Filled Life posted this great way to organize all those crazy crayons!  

9.  Common Core Organization

Managing your records of what common core standards you have taught, when and how often, and what percent of the class has mastered each skill is a big goal.  Having documentation of all this helps you with your planning and is a great way to record for your administrators what you have done in the classroom.  Click the picture for ELA grades K-5 checklists.

10.  IPAD Stations

I have a set of 7 iPads for my room.  One for me and student iPads.  I know lots more teachers are getting iPads, whether it be an entire set for the whole class or just a few.  I don't need a huge cart for charging them, but would like a set up to make it a bit more manageable.  This charging station for multiple iPads looks just like what I need!  Wouldn't take up much room either- that is a huge plus! 

I hope these management and organization tips help you get the New Year started in the right way at school!  If you need teacher products to help you with this, don't forget this bundle.  My Guided Reading Anecdotal Records Notebook (that I showed above) is included along with a lot of other great organizational/management/decor items!