Optimum Organization!



I hope you all enjoyed the long weekend!  I know I did!!  I'm linking up with Kristen and Elizabeth for their Optimum Organization linky party!  I love being organized (who doesn't, right?) but sometimes it can be hard to STAY organized.


Here are a few ways I try to stay organized!!

The first is more for my kids than me.  I am lucky to have cubbies for each student.  I bought baskets at the Dollar Tree for each kiddo to have in their cubby.  They keep their math toolbox inside, as well as hats and mittens in the winter, lunchboxes, stuffed animals that sit and watch them work, basically anything small that could find its way rolling out onto the floor!  They work great and they look cute too! :)


This is where I keep my daily plans and activities.  The top five drawers are for Monday-Friday. I keep everything I need for that day in the drawer.  The extra drawers I use for writing paper, larger projects, or whatever I may need it for.  I have thought about having drawers for the kids to turn their completed work into (and maybe one for incomplete as well?!) but I haven't set that up yet.  But these drawers are colorful and cute and very helpful in staying organized!!  I've seen them at Michaels, but they were about 30 bucks at Walmart (super deal!!).  I want more.  I just don't really need them ;)


Here's the shelf where I keep most of my reading and math binders.  I know, most of them aren't labeled, but I know what they are!  I feel like labels would make it less pretty!!  The top shelf I have my Scott Foresman units, 6 traits of writing stuff, my month-themed book, and binders for center ideas.  The bottom shelf is Scott Foresman black lines and the rest are decodables and other books to use in reading groups.  Does that sound organized?  It may not sound it, but I know exactly where everything is! (Even without labels!) 


I have this on my desk to keep track of things I need to file or copy and for work that any absent kids miss.  I try to keep it nice and empty!


I think I mentioned this last tip in another post, but it definitely helps keep me organized.  The top shelf is all math games.  I have a basket for each addition strategy.  The bottom shelf is centers. I have a basket for social studies, language arts & reading, writing, math, and science.  The kids can choose any of these centers when they finish their work.  They are pretty good at keeping it organized!


Join in the party and share a few ways you organize your classroom!!!
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13 comments

  1. I love all of the baskets. So colorful!

    Diane
    Fifth in the Middle

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    1. Thanks Diane!! I have so many of them! :). I love them because they keep everything nice and neat!

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  2. Sarah,
    I love your organization ideas and pictures, thanks for sharing. :o)
    Vicky
    Traditions, Laughter and Happily Ever After

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    1. Thanks Vicky! It's so fun seeing how everyone else organizes! I'm always looking for new ideas :)

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  3. I use these baskets all the time too! I like how you have them organized by strategy though...need to do that next year!
    Kheila
    Two Friends In First

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    1. It's been a big help in organizing all the strategies!! I hope it works for you :)

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  4. Thanks for sharing. I love peaking at other teachers organizational ideas. So inspirational.
    Have a great day.

    School Is a Happy Place

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    1. I love seeing how everyone organizes too! I love finding new ideas :)

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  5. I really like your folders. I've never seen colourful ones that like.

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    1. Not sure what happened to my comment:) "I've never seen colourful ones like that before"

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    2. Aren't they cute?! :) I think I got them at Staples! They had lots of pretty ones :). I've seen some recently at Target too!

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  6. I found your blog through the Optimum Organization linky party. One day I'll get one of the rainbow colored drawers like you have and do something with it in my classroom. Do the baskets you use from Dollar Tree hold up well? I have thought about using something like that for my 3rd graders as individual book baskets.

    Julie aka Southern Teacher
    Southern Teacher WBT

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    1. Hi Julie! The baskets hold up pretty well for my centers. For books they may be too heavy. They often tip over if they aren't propped up against something (that's why they're all lined up like that :) ) The Dollar Tree did have other rectangle baskets that were similar, but much more sturdy that would work great for books :)

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