Organizing The Paper Chaos

This just came in and I had to share It is perfect for the classroom. It can even be embroidered at the top. Could have it say "While You We're Out" and place each days work in a pocket for those kids who were absent. Buy it the special set item #1311 or alone #4121. Just click picture to go go to my homepage.

How about these great bins #4119 and #3890

Managing Fast Finishers

I wanted to share my Scholastic post with you today about what to do with those Fast Finishers.  You know the ones who are done before some kids even start.  You can read about over at my blog on Scholastic and get a set of my Fast Finisher Cards there too.

New Year- New Post-New Ideas

I'm BACK!I've been MIA due to too many commitments- I need to learn how to organize my time a little bit better, or just learn how to say NO!  between the two blogs, my two teacher stores- Teachers Notebook and Teachers Pay Teachers, I am also working for Scholastic writing a weekly blog post for their Top Teachers section.   A few weeks ago I wrote about getting organized for the new year  I wanted to share the article with you.  I think you will find some great tips.  It is never to late to start organizing.

New Bags for Fall

With school starting, I've been swamped.  I promise I'll be posting more often with organizing tips.  However, I wanted to share the new Thirty-One Gifts catalog with you.  There are some fabulous new patterns this fall and a new Super Organizing Utility Tote.  This one zips closed.  Many of you have emailed me asking if the Organizing Utility Tote had a cover like the Large Utility Tote does.  Finally, I can answer yes!!!. Here are a few of the new items.  Also this month if you spend $31 you can order another item and receive 31% off the second item.  If you are interested in ordering, you can shop my website.

Thirty-One Gifts

Large Utility Tote item #3121

"NEW Super Organizing Tote Item #3893

Organizing Utility Tote Item #3105

Organizing Parent Helpers

I'm back in the classroom.  I haven't been able to post for a while due to not being allowed in my classroom.  Now that we are in there working  and preparing for our students I can once again share my quick organizing tips with all my readers.  I have a parent volunteer system that I've been using for 20 years now.  It is so simple.  I use large manila envelopes that have been laminated.  I place the prep work, directions and a sample, if necessary inside the envelope. The envelopes are placed in a box outside my classroom door.  Parents can sign-out an envelope and return it by the due date.  Usually I have prep work that involves cutting, tracing or stapling.  Below is what my envelopes look like.  I've also included some free decorate labels to attach to the front of your container.  Just click the polka dot label to get your freebie.

Puzzle Storage

Storing puzzles in the classroom has always been such a challenge.  I can't stand the wire puzzle racks as all puzzles aren't created equal.  Some are just too big or too small to fit the rack.  This leaves the puzzles falling and scattering pieces all about. I don't like to store things away form the kids- out of sight means out of mind.  After searching for better puzzle storage I came across a few different options.  I decided to go with the containers.  Shocking I know given my recent confession in regards to my plastic container obsession.  After several trips to the Dollar Store I found enough different sized containers to fit my puzzle pieces.

Large Floor Puzzles
The large blue containers are a much needed improvement over the cardboard boxes as you can see from my photos below.  I salvaged the picture from the box and taped it to the inside of the  lid, so students will have it to refer to.  I labeled the front of the box with a number and did the same for the back of each puzzle piece.  This way when I do find a random puzzle piece I will know exactly which container to put it in.

Tray Puzzles 
I really debated over what to do with these.  As I said earlier I was using the wire rack, but the rack didn't work, puzzles always fell.  Originally I bought smaller plastic containers to put them in and my intention was to label the puzzle pieces with numbers and write the corresponding number on the puzzle board. I would really like to use this system.  However,the containers do take up more space,and I just don't have the room.  Instead I stacked all the tray puzzles in one large plastic container that is kept on the shelf next to the big floor puzzles.  I will rotate these puzzles for the kids to use.

Someday I may get super creative and take a photo of each puzzle and put it in a photo album with the puzzle number, for the kids to flip through and select their puzzle.  Until then, they will just have to use the method I'v put into place.

Organize Your Classroom Blog Hop

This is a fabulous post over at Raibows Within Reach.  So many different organizing ideas all in one place.  I just had to share.  Grab a snack and hop over there.  Be ready to take notes there are some great ideas.