Student Supplies: Staying Organized

Creating access to all the supplies students need to do their daily work, can be challenging.  Over the years I've tried different approaches, table top caddies being used as communal property, a supply station, ziplock bags inside desks and individual pencil boxes.  When I was teaching second and third grade, I used individual pencil boxes for students to keep their supplies in.  I felt the students were old enough to be responsible for their own belongings.  Each student was given a pencil box that contained pencils, erasers, markers, colored pencils, crayons, scissors and a glue stick.  It was their responsibility to keep track of their supplies.  If they were to lose something, they would be able to borrow what they needed from my left-over container. The left-over container was made up of old supplies from the previous year and supplies I'd find on the floor after-school.

Using the pencil box approach was great for older students, but kindergartners and first graders are messy and not all were capable of keeping track of their items.  I'll admit that last year I did try the pencil boxes with my kindergartners and it was a huge disaster.  Mid year I collected the boxes and brought out the shared table caddies.  Having these little ones share supplies worked well.  Best of all it taught them to SHARE and learn to WAIT THEIR TURN.

This year I'll use table caddies again.  I found these last spring at Target and decided to save them for the new year.  You can often find containers like these at the Dollar Tree or Target's Dollar Spot ($2.50), or pay more at places like Really Good Stuff and Oriental Trading.  I've also found some similar to these in the auto department at Walmart.

To go with my new theme this year in my room, I've made table labels.  I printed the labels onto card stock, used my personal laminator from Costco- only $20, and then I used my Xyron sticker maker to apply adhesive to the back.  To keep the caddies clean, I am using frosting containers to hold everything.  I know what you are thinking, that is a lot of frosting- Yes it was, but my kids make cupcakes all the time- we've been saving the containers all year.

You can grab your labels right here for FREE!!!

The Ultimate Bag and a Super Sale

Many of you know I am a Thirty-One Gifts consultant.  I love their bags and have far too many according to my family.  I wanted to share with all my readers, this month's special.  If you've always wanted that Large Utility Tote, now's your chance to get it for only $10 when you spend $35.  So if you loved my Teacher Work Bag, now you can get it for $30, have it monogrammed, then get the Large Utility Tote for $10.  That's two great bags perfect for the upcoming school year.

MY WORK BAG: THE ORGANIZING UTILITY TOTE #3105

LARGE UTILITY TOTES

Storing Construction Paper

Construction paper is something we all have in our classrooms.  However, the majoirty of us probably store it the same way, in stacks.  Depending on how tall your stack is, it can be really hard to get to the papers on the bottom.  Last year I used a file crate with hanging folders to hold my paper, but the crate had to sit out on the counter taking up a lot of space.  A few days ago while rummaging through our local Beverly's Craft Outlet store, I came upon these.  I have about 10 of these at home in my craft room all holding scrapbook paper. When I saw these I immediately thought construction paper.  Not sure why I've never thought of it before.  They hold about 200 sheets of paper, don't take up much space, and they will fit in my cupboard.  I payed about $2 for each of mine because our store is closing, but you can get them at most craft stores and on Amazon for around $7 or $8 and probably cheaper with a coupon.  They are the Cropper Hopper 12x12 Paper Holders.    For the 12x18 construction paper, I still have to stack it in my cupboard.  my husband is cutting me extra shelves to add to the cupboard so I can have only two colors per shelf. Pictures for those will be soon.

Clipins

I've joined the I Made it Mondays over at 4th Grade Frolics

For over a year I've been using binder clips with push pins to hang things on my walls.  One day while browsing the hook aisle at home Depot I saw thumb tacks and thought Hmmm maybe I could glue these to clips- thus "Clipins" was made. Below are a two samples of what I've made.  The black flower thing is a wood flower bought in a pack of 10 from the Dollar Tree.  I painted them with chalkboard paint that I bought at JoAnn's.  Forgive the smeared writing.  I only have large sidewalk chalk at home. The red polka dot pin is covered with ribbon.  You could also use scrapbook paper.  Now hanging items on my bulletin boards will be easy and I won't be poking holes in artwork or other important papers/

Pencil Cups

I found these cute little tins at my Target's Dollar Spot.  I think they will look much nicer then ny grungy frosting containers I was using last year.  I have a bunch of Avery Mailing lables 5164 3 1/3" X 4"  I printed the  images on the labels, but you could print on card stock and laminate before adhering.  I should had laminated now that I think of it to help keep them clean.  Maybe I'll try clear contact paper.  The important part is you have cute pencil cup labels.  Click pictures below to get yours FREE!

Cover Up- Your Plan Book

A while ago I shared with you my teacher plan book.  As I plan for my return in August, I have started making my plan book for next year.   I will be using one of the following covers.  You can get these at my Teachers Notebook Store.  There are twelve different covers, one for each month if you can't decide.

Plastic Drawer Makeover

I've already started organizing and redecorating my room for the next school year.  While sitting at my desk the other night I looked over at my sterilite containers that hold my paper supplies and thought I should decorate these and take them to school.  I grabbed some scrapbook paper, a paper cutter, clear adhesive and my laminator.  Cut the strips to fit inside the drawers and secured them with roll-on scrapbook adhesive.  The tops of these containers were yucky.  One had a heart stenciled too it from when it belonged to my daughter.  I laminated the pieces for the tops, secured them and I was done.  The whole project took about 20 minutes.  It took longer for me to decide which paper to use.  These container hold the different papers we use throughout the year.

More Storage Options

I've heard from several readers that Target is out-of-stock on the red clip boxes that I use for my Math Work Stations.  I've done a little research and here are a few options.  When ordering make sure to check the dimensions of the boxes.  You want to make sure it can hold a standard piece of paper and be at least 3-inches tall.