How to Improve Your Classroom Organization Methods

An organized classroom is a productive classroom.

As a teacher, you know that good organization leads to good student productivity. Maximizing your teaching time provides a higher quality of education for your students and a better working atmosphere for you. If you need a little boost in the area of classroom organization, try some time-honored techniques that have been helping educators just like you for decades.

Things You'll Need

• Calendars
• Lesson plans
• Written schedule
• Classroom rules poster

Instructions

1. Leave for work a little sooner. When the students arrive, you’ll be ready to start the lessons. Write the classroom schedule for the day on the chalkboard or a white board and before long, the students will automatically consult the schedule upon entering the room. By making the schedule visible to the children, you avoid repeating yourself every time a child asks what to expect that day.

2. Teach in fast-forward motion. Children have short attention spans but they will pay attention if you present the lessons in a brief but concise manner. By organizing your lesson plan a week in advance and reviewing it the night before, you’ll be prepared to teach the children without pausing to consult your notes.

3. Prepare a base schedule and stick to it. Not only will a set routine allow you to complete the day’s lessons, it will tell the students what to expect and, in return, they will be ready. For instance, allot a specific time each day for room assistants to pass out graded work at the beginning of each class.

4. Organize the classroom rules by importance and make a poster to display. Write the rules as briefly as possible. For instance, “Raise your hand and wait to be called upon” tells the students that outbursts are unacceptable. Avoid repetition in your rules and list only the most important ones. More than five or six rules on your poster will lessen the importance of all the rules in the students' minds.

5. Brief your students every Monday on the high points of the week’s curriculum. By sharing the anticipated events, the students will mentally prepare themselves. Disruption in the classroom often stems from confusion. By presenting the upcoming week’s plans to the children, they are ready when you shift gears.

6. Instill organization in your students. Not only must you strive for a high level of organization; your students should learn to organize their school day as well. Before class ends, write tomorrow’s assignment on the blackboard and any special items the students will need to bring.

7. Forewarn your students when a test or quiz is scheduled. Although some teachers like “pop” quizzes because they feel a student’s progress is more accurately reflected, studies show this method of teaching is viewed as "unorganized" by the students and as a result, lowers their level of respect for the instructor and their own preparation for class. Announce tests and quizzes at least one day in advance, if possible.

Tips & Warnings

• Relax. Organizing your classroom is a constant work-in-progress. As you teach, you will find some methods work well for you and others fail miserably. Don't try to force a method that is not working for you.

Resources

• Sign up for a free trial and download lesson plans.