January 13, 2012

Organizing

How many of you have a massive drawer or container of stickers?

If you are a primary teacher you probably do.

I wanted to share one of my organization tips with you.

Like most of you I love containers, containers, and more containers.  A number of years ago I picked up this little expanding file from Big Lots that has about fourteen or fifteen sections in it.  Didn't know what I was going to use it for but I liked it so that was all that mattered, right!?

Inside of this handy, dandy thing-a-ma-jig I now have all my stickers.  Yes, you heard that correctly, ALL!

I cut file folders down to a size that would fit in each section and added a sticker to the front with the name of a month.  I got the stickers I used at the Dollar Tree in their scrap booking section.



Then, I sorted all the stickers into folders.  If they went with  a specific month they went into that file.  If they could be used for anytime they went into an "anytime" folder.  If they were subject specific they went into a "spelling" or "science" folder.  If it was a sheet of stickers that was too large to fit in the folder, I just cut it in half or fourths, or whatever so it fit.



Now, each month I pull that month's sticker folder and keep it in a spot where I can use it easily while correcting papers.

No more digging through a messy drawer or container searching for the dang snowman stickers for what seems like forever.

In addition to the drawer of stickers, I've tried using baggies for sorting my stickers in the past, but this is my favorite and by far most successful and easy solution.

I keep this on a shelf behind my new small group/desk area.


Also on this shelf I have my two Sterilite Clearview 3 drawer storage units that I keep my daily teaching materials in.

I have one drawer labeled for each day of the week and the extra drawer is sub only materials.

My kiddos know where to go to grab a set of papers or book, etc. for me if I need it.  I literally can say, "So and so, go grab today's math papers and bring them to me."  I also can pull the day's drawer out and take it with me anywhere in the room.


Every sub that I've had has made positive comments about the drawer system.

I've used hanging file folders in the past and the papers slipped and bent.  Didn't like that!

I've not had any problems getting everything to fit in the drawers, but I don't do a ton of paperwork.  However, you can get drawers that are wider or deeper.  Mine are slightly larger than 8 1/2" X 11" paper size.

The only thing I don't put in the drawers are art projects, big books, or manipulatives.

If you give either of these ideas a try, I'd love to know what you think.
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17 comments:

  1. Love the sticker idea. The teacher I replaced left an abundance of stickers in a plastic container. They are so unorganized that I haven't even tried to tackle the box. I will have to give your sticker organization a try and then maybe I will actually get to use them! =)

    Ms. Smith
    The Adventures of Ms. Smith

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  2. I love your cute crate seats under your table!!! How did you make those?? Fabulous!

    Rebecca
    Teaching First

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  3. Great sticker idea! My stickers are in a big ziploc and I have to search through the bag all the time to find what I'm looking for... it's a pain!

    A Cupcake for the Teacher

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  4. I have an expandable file that I use for stickers but I haven't organized them by month. I like that idea. I have a hard time putting my stickers back in the file. I think that's my biggest organization challenge. Putting things back. I also use the drawers for each day but I love the idea of the last one being a sub drawer. I might have to reorganize that and try a sub drawer. I don't like to be out often without planning but it always seems to happen.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  5. Genius Erika! I just sorted through everything I have yesterday and found tons of stickers!!! Will be implementing this system next week!

    Come by and check out my 500 follower giveaway :)

    Have a great weekend!

    ❤ Mor Zrihen from...
    A Teacher's Treasure
    Teaching Treasures Shop

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  6. Great idea Erika! Thanks for answering my question about your daily materials. I love your sticker organizer. I think I might have to go get one of those!

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  7. On behalf of subs, I thank you for the sub drawer! Lol :)

    I've been in a few classes where the teacher had a sub drawer/box/crate/tub and it does make a difference. Thanks :)

    Journey of a Substitute Teacher

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  8. My current system is to have one or two little busybodies become familiar with my sticker collection. Then they can tell me, "There's a sticker for that!" =)

    New Follower,
    Emily
    Sedcond Grade Silliness 

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  9. What a great idea! I just found extra expanded folders and was wondering how I was going to use it. Now I know! I also use drawers for my daily work. It was worked wonderfully. I absolutely love your picture of your area. I totally want to get rid of my desk now. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Apples and Papers

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  10. Oh my freakin' goodness!! Haha! What an awesome idea! My hodgepodge of stickers currently reside in a half torn photo box (minus the lid) in my desk drawer. I am wanting to head to Walmart now to go get started :) Thank you so much for sharing!! Gonna go pin this now!

    Haley
    followingoptimism.blogspot.com

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  11. Wonderful idea! I must ask about the crate seats. Did you have to lower your table for the seats to sit high enough? I was looking to make a set but the crates seem so very low to me. I don't know if it would work for my third graders.
    Doris@thirdgradethinkers8

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  12. Love these tips and love those adorable seats in the picture!

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  13. What a great idea! I love reading how people organize materials since I am soooo bad at organization!

    I received my giftcard! Love it! Thanks!!!

    Latricia
    Wild About Second Grade

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  14. Please come organize my classroom! :) I love the idea and am going to work on it. Right now my stickers are in a box - it's a mess!
    Love your classroom!

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  15. I need to organize my table like yours. I know this was about stickers, but I couldn't stop thinking about your crate chairs and clean table. I stack all my stuff on my round table because I don't have a desk. But I need my kids to be able to come work with me there and it's only clean when I leave to go home or come in the morning. :(

    Kimberley
    First in Maine

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    Replies
    1. It is easy to stack stuff on the table but I try to be good about putting things where they belong. This time of year is the hardest for staying organized for some reason. Keep trying and don't give up!

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  16. I just wish I had all that shelving space!! ha!

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Thanks for filling my bucket!