School Organization Tips
An organized school environment makes the classroom run smoothly. The students pick up on the organizational system, making it easier for them to keep their own things in order. The organizational system varies depending on space, materials and the teacher's personal preference, but many of the organizational ideas work for all school settings.
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First Day Organization
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The first day of school sets the tone for the school year. Strong organization from the time the kids walk in the door the first day establishes an emphasis on keeping things straight. Create a designated space for each child to keep his personal belongings on the first day. Have an activity waiting for each child on the desk so the kids can jump in and stay busy. If kids are bringing in school supplies, create a drop-off area with labeled bags or boxes for each child. This allows them to empty their bags and keep the materials sorted. Collect any class supplies like tissues and label the personal items before returning them to the students.
Grading Paperwork
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Paperwork piles up quickly in any classroom. An organizational system for handling paperwork allows you to check and return it efficiently. One option is to create a separate file for each student when turning in papers. The work is already presorted for you when you review it so you can easily return it to the students. Another idea is to assign each student a number that corresponds with her number in your grade book or grading program. You easily match up the two numbers when recording work.
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Student Files
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An informational file for each student allows you to keep personal paperwork and information together. Choose a file drawer in a secure location so students don't have access to it. Any time a parent sends a note from home, the child is involved in an incident or another noteworthy event occurs, place a copy of the report in the file. Keep blank forms on hand so you can document problems in the classroom for the files. This serves as a record for conferences or if the parents express a concern about something in the classroom.
Color Coding
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A color coding system makes it easy for you and the students to identify items in the classroom. Color coding works for things like books, student materials and files. The color coding system can also be used to identify materials in the classroom that the students are free to access. Mark your personal items with a separate color to let kids know they need to ask before using those items.
Material Organization
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A logical organization system is to keep materials in the area where they are commonly used. Keep all related materials together in a container with a lid to prevent losing pieces. For example, place all blocks in a large plastic tub with a secure lid. Place the tub on a shelf near the building center. Large labels on the containers help keep materials organized. For preschool and lower elementary classrooms, add a picture to the label to help students identify the contents.
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References
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