Tricks of the Trade Thursdays

It's Thursday and its a Holiday! Happy 4th of July! 

I wanted to join this linky today because at the end of the school year, I got organized in an almost OCD way.

 

I want to make one of these: 

But, as with many of the items on my to-do list, it remains on the list. So, I used what I had. Long story, but I had a gazillion pencil boxes. Everything is labeled and put away in them. When I go back in August, everything will be ready. I think this may be a first. 

I am always envious of teachers whose desk are clear during the day. I try, I don't always succeed. 

I plan to have this for parent info at a moments notice: 

 

Papers are kept in hanging file folders. This does not stay on my desk though. It's on a table next to my desk and it is fabulous. I started it about six weeks into school last year and it has made life fabulous. Along with having an organized file cabinet per unit.

http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10025149&N=&Ntt=file

 This is not what mine looks like though. Just found it on Piinterest and I like it. Think mine will get a makeover. 

Mine has tabs for all my class period, one for each day of the week, one for copying, laminating, and needs to file. It is very helpful. 

This way papers are not cluttering my desk. 

Can't say its always organized but having these things in place, help a lot! 

Also, I have a Blogiversary coming up and would love to give my readers some fantastic prizes. If you can donate, please fill out the survey below. Thanks in advance. 

A bit of an OCD Moment

Today is the last day of school.

I started packing up my room this week. It became an obsession.

I haven't made one of these cute things. I may or may not this summer. My "to-do" list is pretty long.

But, I have a gazillion pencil boxes and I put them to use.

I am not sure if I will leave things this way when school starts, but for now, MY DESK IS ORGANIZED!!!

I am completing my 19th year teaching and I can honestly say, it has NEVER been this organized. So, I guess I am going to start year 20 with a bang!!!!

MS Sunday Funday- Organization

Today's topic: Organization

I like to think I am an organized person, and I think I was at some point in my life, but if I were honest, I am not now.
This is what my top shelf looks like.

But, this is the rest of it... this is my reality.

I do have bins and baskets for organizing my student journals and workbooks. This works really well actually.

I saw this in another teachers class and I am totally stealing it. This is how she keeps parent info for 100+ students handy at any moment. This stays on her clean desk. Mine, is not as clean, but I know I can do this.

Same teacher... Science teacher... these are her lab tables and she has each seat labeled so students know their job. LOVE this... I know, not Math, but organized!!!! These pictures are obviously from table #2.

Julie, from I Speak Math just shared her absent work hangers from The Container Store. I really like those. This year I started this:

It's a decorated cereal box. When I student is absent I put their missed work in this box and give it to them when they return.
I have been good about writing the students name on their missed work when they are absent. I think after seeing Julie's though, I am going to make more boxes and do one for each class I teach. My children are big cereal eaters, so I have plenty of box choices.

The purple binder from the first picture is what we call our "Wildcat Binder". It's like our bible at school. It holds all data, meeting notes, professional development notes, etc... It uses dividers and it truly keep us organized as a staff. We take it to every meeting we go have. I like that it is campus wide and the expectations are clear for all staff.

Also, this year I implemented the No Homework Binder from Jack of All Trades.
I made an adjustment to it though. Instead of alphabetical, I did it by class period and it has worked very well. This has been a life saver. My students are totally getting the concept. I have even used it to show parents missing work and unfortunately attached to a referral I had to write yesterday. It has been a great way to organize homework.

I admittedly struggle with organizing things. For example, I haven't quite figured out how to get all the papers back to students that I pick up.  We check homework every day. I pick it up. It sits on my table. Then what??? Do I even need to pick it up if we go over it and they sign when they don't bring it? I have to figure something out.
With so many students I have to get a handle of getting work back to them. I am hoping someone shares a fabulous idea for this today.

Seen these on Pinterest?


 I have the binder clips, just need to label them. I use post it notes right now for everything. They are life savers for me.

For me, I am good at organizing centers for students to work on, but after we use them how I do I store them for next year? This is a huge goal for me this year. We are using a lot of stations in class this year and I want to get a grasp on this.

I am looking forward to seeing other teacher ways to organize your classroom.