The Clutter-Free Classroom Plan Linky Party!
I am an organizer.
I love to organize, everything has a home, please put it where it belongs.
Thank you.
Then, I married Mr. Packrat.
God always has a plan, I tell you!
Anyhoo, I love love what I do, and my job is WAY easier when I organize through it.
The Clutter-Free Classroom Project this week is all about what to throw out & what gets to stay.
A few simple staples I follow:
Everything has a home.
If I haven't used it in the last 3 years, TOSS it.
Here's a pic of how I keep my room:
Everything has a home.
Even my pencils are staying in their homes!!
Plus I talked Auntie Patty into making me seat pockets cause I love everything to be cute (AND I can't sew worth beans)!
Every color, every season!
Every color, every season!
If I haven't used it in the last 3 years, TOSS it.
When I first started teaching, (17 years ago) I spent HOURS at school. My now 17 year old, was a little babe, and although I wanted to be home right after school, there was always sooo much to prep & get ready for. The to-do list was endless!
Digging through, searching under, looking EVERYWHERE for that one little item, page, project, you name it, was a complete waste of time. I also despised muscling through the file cabinet in search of where any particular item was.
My time was precious, especially with my little babe.
Digging through, searching under, looking EVERYWHERE for that one little item, page, project, you name it, was a complete waste of time. I also despised muscling through the file cabinet in search of where any particular item was.
My time was precious, especially with my little babe.
I learned (took me awhile) that I wanted teacher prep & materials to be at my FINGERTIPS.
FIND IT QUICK was my new mission.
So, I organized everything into binders.
This also LIMITED my unwanted hoarding collection.
ONLY SO MUCH CAN FIT IN A BINDER!
Then, I color coded them:
Themes, any color
math, green
language, yellow
reading, red
etc. etc.
FIND IT QUICK was my new mission.
So, I organized everything into binders.
This also LIMITED my unwanted hoarding collection.
ONLY SO MUCH CAN FIT IN A BINDER!
Then, I color coded them:
Themes, any color
math, green
language, yellow
reading, red
etc. etc.
Life became less scrambled.
Less hours were wasted over searching & digging & filing through God knew what for my needs & preparations & crafts & posters, etc.
Putting things at my fingertips cut out a TON of useless time I could have been using more wisely.
Yes, I even organize items INSIDE the binder.
Yes, I even organize items INSIDE the binder.
Everything has a home.
Family is the PRIORITY, so let's work more efficiently and effectively since our time after school is limited.
It's time to go home to be with family!
.JPG)
.jpg)
Wow! you truly are Little Mrs. Organized. That is amazing, how many things you have right at your finger tip. You are such an inspiration and motivator, to continue my clutter free classroom mission. Great job! I am totally in love with your system and classroom.
ReplyDeleteVanessa
Kinderloves
Oh wow, you just made my day with all those sweet words! Thank you, I love what I do!
DeleteYour room looks awesome! I love how you emphasize everything having it's place. I agree more time needs to be spent with family and that means having everything organized. Thanks for sharing how you do this!
ReplyDeleteKate
http://funinecse.blogspot.com/
Thanks so much, I really appreciate it! Yes, family is first, but sometimes I need to keep that in perspective! Thanks for visiting!
DeleteLove the binder idea. I have just started to use binders this year, and it really does work much better than flipping through loose papers in folders. Right now I just have masking tape stuck on with my messy scribbles with a Sharpie for labels. I like your color-coded label idea by subject.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to be on the lookout for great binder sales so I'll be ready to organize this summer! Thanks for sharing your ideas. :)
Costco! I buy them in bundles every so often. They are the cheapest I've found around! Good luck, you'll be thankful you did organize into binders!
DeleteWoohoo you're singing my song! I just love an organized classroom and binders!! :D
ReplyDelete❤Dragonflies in First ❤
Thanks! I love finding fellow organizers!
DeleteI LOVE your classroom organization. I am very Type A as well and truly love organization. Your blog is very cute! I'm your newest follower :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome! So good to have you! I am definitely Type A...born with it!
DeleteI love everything organized and in its place too. Love those seat pockets!! I need to get some of them.
ReplyDeleteLori
Conversations in Literacy
Thank you! If you want the seat pockets, email me! Auntie Patty makes them, they are the cheapest around, and you get to choose any color in the world you want! They transform a classroom, and things look so pretty! Plus, the organization helps!
DeleteAmy, I can't find your email. Here is mine: lv2813@aol.com if you could let me know what your aunt charges and what options they come with. Thank you!!
DeleteI LOVE chair pockets too! My assistant made them for us... aren't they the best way to keep the kiddos organized too!?
ReplyDeleteKaren :o)
Mrs. Stamp's Kindergarten
Yes, the seat pockets are my life saver! No lost books, everyone has their own for their own books, etc.! Plus, I love to pick the colors & change it up for the season/holiday!
DeleteWOW! You're classroom is like classroom teacher eye candy! So organized and colorful! Very inspiring!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind words! What a compliment!!
DeleteOH my goodness! I am embarrased of my classroom now. I open my closets and things fall out!! I tell myself I need to organize and it just doesn't seem to happen! YOur classroom looks fabulous! Thank you for the great tips!
ReplyDeleteAloha,
Corinna
Surfin' Through Second
You make me laugh! Maybe I can help you with some organizing & you can teach me how to surf!
Delete