If you have followed me log enough, you know I am obsessed with being organized! It’s a blessing and a curse at the same time!!  I feel like this is what keeps me grounded and able to function as a teacher!  Since I am new to blogging, I thought I would start with the things I’m doing in the classroom and post a few of my favorites ideas and links to the products I love!  Feel free to send me any questions you might have!!

1. Storage bins!! Storage bins!! Storage bins!!

I keep all my stations, whole class lessons, and read alouds organized by months and six weeks in these cabinets!  I love the 11 x 14 stackable bins the most.  It has taken me 2 years to get these cabinets like this.  A little at a time is always what I recommend or you will truly get overwhelmed and quit or drain your bank account…not good on a teacher’s salary!! Here is a LINK for these exact bins!  You will not be disappointed with this purchase, just take it slow and don’t overwhelm yourself!!!

2. Mini Salt and Pepper Shakers

If you like to let your students be creative with glitter without the mess, these are your answer!  They are perfect for easy storage and no mess. Only a little comes out at a time. Amazon has a great deal on a set of 24 HERE for a set of 24 shakers.  You will need a mini funnel and can usually find those at the dollar store. OR…just roll up a paper plate to fit and then you have a disposable funnel for free!! PLASTIC PENCIL boxes are perfect for storing these too!

3. Chromebook Storage on a Dime!!

Yep, that is just a plain ole pan lid organizer for your kitchen!! BUT…it works fantastic for storing chromebooks.  If you are like me, you can’t stand to have cords everywhere either. This little thing helps keep it all organized and ready for use.  Click HERE to purchase one and start getting these things tangle free and organized in a very inexpensive way!

4. Beanie Baby Storage Boxes!

I love all things clear!  If I can’t see it, I don’t use it #forreal!! These are simply beanie baby storage containers from the past that house all my math manipulatives.  They are stackable and work for a multitude of different things to organize! I have seen other storage containers like these, but they tend to be upwards of $10.00+ dollars.  I found them HERE on Amazon for much cheaper!

5. Electrical Tape!

I have all my subjects organized by color in my classroom!! My students organize their materials by color using electrical tape. For instance, science is red because red is my favorite color and science is my favorite subject to teach, math is yellow, writing is green, etc….  This is a very easy and visual way for students to know exactly what color folder or composition notebook they need quickly! Click HERE for a large package with multiple colors!  The tape also works great for organizing different genres of books in your classroom library!

Teacher Tip….The tape also works great for non-verbal ques like this one!!  STOP HERE! 🙂

 

 

 

 

6. Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner and Supplies

My students are taught that it is their job to take care of the classroom!!  At the end of the day, all my students have a job cleaning up the room and getting it ready for the next day! This is how I keep my classroom organized and clean!!  When you have 20+ kiddos working together helping out everyday, it’s easy to stay organized!! I am including links to my favorite items we use daily!

Lightweight Vacuum

Cordless Sweeper

Swiffer Dusters

Swiffer Wet Jet Mop

Large Duster

7. Fold up Tray Tables

My students love working on these fold up tables.  They are easy to store and move around.  Dry eraser markers work great on the surface of these as well!!  These FOLD UP TABLES and do not take up much space are a must have in my classroom and allow students to spread out during different lessons!

8. Under Shelf/Cabinet Organizer

 

This is one of my favorite organizers EVER!! I use an under the counter/shelf organizer to house Kleenex over my sink.  My hope is that they will do their business, then immediately wash up and get back to work.  I can’t make it more visual than this! I also use these organizers for other items inside my cabinets like paper, tape dispensers…the possibilities are endless (I have them in my home pantry housing my onion and potatoes). I am linking the 15″ basket you see in the pictures HERE BUT, be sure to check the size you need for your own cabinets or shelves.  They come in a variety!!

9. Crazy Crayon Holder!!!

I made this by using a sock drawer organizer!!  Here is the LINK to the exact one I used. These can be cut easily with scissors to fit any size area!!  Before I hung it up, I stapled some poster board to the wall so it won’t get marked up!  I also hot glued all the connecting parts together!  I used 8 screws to mount it up on the wall and added a little hot glue to the screws for extra strength!

10. Teacher Supply Organizer

I love all things clear and here is another example!!  I found this beauty in the cake decorating isle of Michaels!!  It is supposed to hold cake decorating tools!! However, this works fantastic for holding office supplies and such!!  Don’t forget to use your teacher discount at Michaels if you purchase one of these too!

Happy Organizing!!!

This post contains affiliate links for Amazon. By purchasing an item on the Amazon site using these links, I will receive a small commission on your purchase.

I am always looking for new ways to organize items in my house and in my classroom.  I find it even more exciting when I am able to turn something that might not seem like much use, into something very useful. AND if it’s free…that’s even better!!  Never feel bad about asking parents, neighbors, and friends for these items.  I have never had anyone tell me no and people are more than happy to help a teacher out!!

Here are a few of my favorites!!

Play-Doh Containers

Don’t throw away the Play-Doh containers!!  These work beautifully for holding water while water coloring.  As a former Kindergarten teacher, I had tons of these!!!!

Soup Cans

Keep your empty metal cans or baby food jars!!  These make great holders for art supplies.  I found a Lazy Susan at Walmart for less than $5.00!!! Then I painted the cans with high gloss spray paint in my school colors and then hot glued all the cans down to the base. To hold the smaller items, I glued baby food jars to the cans and base of the Lazy Susan.  I used a little super glue on those to ensure they wouldn’t fall off.  For very little money, you have a custom organized art supply rotating organizer!!

 

Baby Food Jars

Again, those baby food jars work like a charm keeping crayons organized.  Cups found at Walmart, 6 for $1.00, are perfect for keeping colored pencils neat and tidy.

 

Remnant Fabric Pieces

Want to make a new bulletin board for push pins?  Buy some 12 x 12 cork squares. Then, pick up some remnant fabric on the discount shelf and a bottle of spray glue adhesive.  Iron the fabric so that there are no wrinkles, spray the glue on the cork, and lay the fabric on.  Refer to the pictures to see how to do the corners.

Salad Dressing Containers

These are so perfect for keeping bingo chip holders, beads, small office supplies, etc…..I love using these for special snacks and when I do my “book cooks”!!  Click here to stock up!!

Containers

Do NOT be afraid to ask stores for their empty containers!!!!  They throw them away anyway and are usually more than happy to give to a teacher if you let them know!!  I always look for sturdy containers that I could use in my house or classroom.

Prescription Bottles

Make sure to get the ones without a child safety on them or your students will never be able to open them.  I use these to put money in for counting money.  The kids love this and it keeps everything organized.  Click here to grab some classroom money and get started organizing!!

Ugly Magnets!!!

Yes, those ugly magnets that are on clearance because no one wanted them but me!!  All you need is a can of chalk spray paint and a chalk pen!!  I made a set for my team and they hang on the metal part of our classroom door!!  The nice thing about these is, you can wipe them off and write what ever you want!!

I hope some of these will work for you and I would love to hear about it if you do!!!  More ideas to come soon!

Happy Organizing!!

This post contains affiliate links for Amazon. By purchasing an item on the Amazon site using these links, I will receive a small commission on your purchase.