The Brown Bag Teacher

Teach the Children. Love the Children. Change the World.

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. I’ve included lots of links to blog posts, resources, websites, and affliate links for easy shopping and browsing!

Library Display Books

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. (Read more about our weekly bookshelf in this blog post.)

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 reading 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.

Weekly Magazines and Newspapers

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.

Guided Reading Books

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! (Read more about how I run my Guided Reading block in this blog post.)

Manipulatives and Basic Supplies

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 Daily 5 and Guided Math 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 during Guided Math. I picked up a bead container from Michaels (with a coupon and my teacher discount) and it’s the perfect way to store dice!

Center/Choice Tubs

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 Daily 5 and Guided 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.

Planning and Teaching Materials

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! For other FREE classroom resources and freebies, sign-up here for teaching ideas to land in your inbox each month.

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Comments

  2. Cynthia Duarte says

    July 28, 2015 at 3:57 pm

    Amazing post! Thank you for all the inspiration! I am determined to be as organized in my classroom this year! Can you please share what you do during Guided Reading?

    Reply

  3. Kim A says

    July 28, 2015 at 4:14 pm

    Love all your storage! My school was built in 1919 and you would cry at the lack of storage we have. Or at least I do ha. 😉

    Reply

  10. Hope Newport says

    July 29, 2015 at 4:30 am

    Ohhhhh my teacher heart is pounding! Tub, tubs, labels, labels. Plus it gives me a good reason to laminate. Thanks for getting me in the back to school spirit 😉

    Hope

    Reply

  11. Sharon Ricker says

    July 31, 2015 at 1:30 am

    I am changing classrooms and the grade I will be teaching this year. Over the past week I have been feeling some anxiety over the thought of going back to school. After reading this I realized that it's because I am nervous that I won't be able to get my new room organized and be ready to teach in a one weeks time. I love all how organized your room is. Thanks for some great ideas. I am going to buy some new storage tubs tomorrow!

    Reply

    • Kate says

      June 4, 2016 at 4:32 pm

      Hi Emily! Great question. I have a blog post coming soon, but I store them in sheet protectors inside a binder – with the visual directions on top. It makes them easy to grab and go!

      Reply

  15. Amy Wuthrich says

    November 13, 2015 at 2:37 pm

    I LOVE your organization! This is just the inspiration I have been looking for. I need to be organized to let my mind focus on other things, and your post has given me great ideas to get that done. Yay!!

    Reply

    • Kate says

      June 4, 2016 at 4:30 pm

      Hi Windy! I completely understand I don't have a teacher desk either so I use my 3-drawer containers during my guided reading table. They are a lifesaver!

      Reply

    • Kate says

      June 4, 2016 at 4:29 pm

      That's so funny because I think I have WAY too much furniture. It leaves so little wall and moving space. I would love to get rid of a teacher desk and a rolling cabinet. The grass is always greener, right??

      Reply

  19. Teresa says

    August 8, 2016 at 2:05 pm

    Your organization is AWESOME! I have viewed tons of organization sites and yours is definitely the most helpful (especially your library). Thank you so much!

    Reply

  20. Amanda Grabow says

    September 17, 2016 at 7:46 pm

    How do you go about laminating your Scholastic New Magazines? I love this idea, I just can’t picture how I would laminate them. My magazines have middle pages to them, is yours just the 2 pages? Any ideas would be helpful! Thanks!

    Reply

    • Catherine says

      September 18, 2016 at 1:10 pm

      Hi Amanda! The K/1 magazines are just one page, so they laminate easily. I’m not sure that you could laminate them if they had a middle page! 🙂

      Reply

  21. Nancy says

    September 18, 2016 at 12:12 pm

    Early Sunday morning…found this post…getting breakfast and coffee…then off to my classroom! THANK YOU! two months ago would have been perfect timing…but it’s never too late. ??

    Reply

  22. Erika says

    November 13, 2016 at 1:05 am

    This is the type of classroom organization I’ve always dreamed of, but have never been able to achieve for my special education classroom. I’m so envious!

    Reply

  24. Mandi says

    December 22, 2017 at 2:40 pm

    This is AMAZING! I want to go and redo my entire room when I should be enjoying Christmas break…. Love all of the bins and the color coding.

    Reply

  25. Angie says

    December 31, 2017 at 7:29 am

    I am in love with your organized classroom! But for the 10 drawer rolling drawers how do you stick them on? Do you laminate them first and then use the glue dots? Do you laminate all your labels?

    Reply

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