While the person who borrowed it, did not mean to have forgotten about it, it is still probably sitting in her room miles away from where I need it.  At this minute.

Has this happened to you before?  Sometimes I can’t even remember who I loaned the book or resource out to in order to retrieve it, which is even worse.  Especially if you are out of school for the summer and a mass staff email is not an option.

As a problem solver, I decided to find an easy and fun solution.

How about some old school book jacket envelopes and checkout cards?

You might want to check out:

Need some new ideas for lesson planning and calendar organization in the classroom? This 70 page digital book has you covered!

Includes 14 articles from Organized Classroom, including topics such as:
-Curriculum Mapping
-Setting Up Your Daily Classroom Schedule
-Digital Filing Cabinets
-Weekly Planning Resources
-Several To-Do List Templates
-Balancing Home and Work Life in your Calendar
-File Organization
…and even more!

Now available in our Shop!  And the second copy to share with a friend is half price!

See it HERE.

Library card templates are a great way to add a vintage and nostalgic touch to your DIY projects. Whether you are a teacher looking for a fun way to track your classroom library, a book lover wanting to create personalized bookmarks, or a crafter looking for unique labels for your homemade products, library card templates are a versatile and creative option. These templates are designed to mimic the look of traditional library cards, complete with spaces for the borrower’s name, date borrowed, and due date. 

With the rise of digital media, the use of physical library cards may be dwindling, but their charm and functionality can still be appreciated in various DIY projects. Library card templates can be used for a wide range of projects, from organizing your personal book collection to creating unique gift tags for special occasions. The possibilities are endless, and with the availability of free printable library card templates online, you can easily incorporate them into your DIY projects without breaking the bank. 

Whether you prefer a classic, vintage design or a more modern and colorful approach, there are countless options available to suit your style and needs.

How to Customize Your Library Card Templates

Once you’ve found the perfect library card template for your project, it’s time to customize it to fit your needs. Whether you’re using the template for labeling, tracking, or decorating, there are several ways you can personalize it to make it your own. One option is to add your own text or images to the template using a graphic design software such as Adobe Photoshop or Canva. 

This allows you to create custom labels, bookmarks, or gift tags that reflect your personal style and preferences. Another way to customize your library card templates is by choosing the right paper and printing options. Depending on the project you have in mind, you may want to use different types of paper, such as cardstock or sticker paper, to achieve the desired look and feel. 

Additionally, you can experiment with different printing techniques, such as using a laser printer for a crisp and professional finish or a vintage typewriter font for a more authentic look. By taking the time to customize your library card templates, you can create unique and personalized DIY projects that are sure to impress.

Creative DIY Projects Using Library Card Templates

There are countless creative DIY projects that you can create using library card templates. One popular idea is to use the templates as labels for organizing your personal book collection. By printing out the templates and adding the titles of your books, you can create a charming and organized display that adds a touch of nostalgia to your home library. 

Additionally, you can use the templates as bookmarks by adding your favorite quotes or images, making them a unique and personalized accessory for your reading adventures. Another creative way to use library card templates is by incorporating them into your gift wrapping and packaging. By printing out the templates on sticker paper and adding them to your gifts, you can create a vintage and personalized touch that will impress the recipient. 

Whether you’re giving a book as a gift or homemade products such as candles or soaps, adding a library card template label will add an extra special touch that shows you care. The possibilities are endless when it comes to using library card templates in your DIY projects, so don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with different ideas.

Where to Find Free Printable Library Card Templates

I know many classroom teachers are all about the electronic checkout systems in the classroom these days.  And that is fine for large collections of books for students that will be going in and out repeatedly throughout the school year.

This idea is just a little something nostalgic for those items that may not to be “checked out” often, yet it still contains an accountability piece so that you will never lose track of where your item might be off to in the coming weeks and months.

Start by grabbing the FREE download I created for you at the bottom of the page.

Next, print off the envelope templates on some thick scrapbook paper and cut out.  Cut out on the outside outline and fold on the inside lines.  Secure with tape, glue, or staples.

Print off the cards on any color of cardstock you like.  I had some weathered-looking cardstock on hand and thought it matched the old school look of the rest of my materials.  Cut them out.

Attach your cards and envelope on the inside cover of your resources.

Last – I made a matching little origami paper box out of more scrapbook paper to hold the cards and a pencil.  As someone asks to use a resource, simply have him or her fill out the card in the book and place the card in the box.

Every so often, check your box to see when the item was “checked out” and follow up to retrieve your item if sufficient time has passed or you need it for your own use.

Would you like to know step-by-step routines that put teachers back in control in just 4 weeks?

Download the FREE Classroom Systems Starter Kit now!

Simple.  Easy to put together.  Super economical.

FAQs

What are library card templates?

Library card templates are pre-designed layouts that can be used to create library cards for personal or educational use. These templates often include spaces for the borrower’s name, the date the item was borrowed, and the due date.

Where can I find free printable library card templates?

Free printable library card templates can be found on various websites that offer free printables, such as Pinterest, Etsy, and educational resource websites. Many libraries also offer free printable library card templates on their websites.

How can I use library card templates for DIY projects?

Library card templates can be used for DIY projects such as creating personalized library cards for home libraries, classroom libraries, or as part of a scrapbooking project. They can also be used for educational purposes, such as teaching children about library systems and borrowing books.

What materials do I need to use library card templates?

To use library card templates, you will need a printer, cardstock or heavy paper, and scissors or a paper cutter. You may also want to use adhesive or a laminator to protect the finished library cards.

Are library card templates customizable?

Many library card templates are customizable, allowing you to add your own text, change the colors, or adjust the layout to fit your specific needs. Some templates may require graphic design software to customize, while others can be edited using basic word processing programs.

Benefits of Using Free Printable Library Card Templates

There are several benefits to using free printable library card templates in your DIY projects. One of the main advantages is the cost-effectiveness of using these templates. Instead of purchasing pre-made labels or bookmarks, you can simply download and print the templates for free, saving you money while still achieving a professional and polished look. 

Additionally, using library card templates allows you to add a unique and vintage touch to your projects that sets them apart from store-bought options. Another benefit of using free printable library card templates is the versatility they offer. Whether you’re organizing your personal book collection, creating personalized gifts, or labeling homemade products, these templates can be used in a variety of ways to suit your needs. 

With so many different designs and customization options available, you can easily find a template that fits your style and project requirements. By using free printable library card templates in your DIY projects, you can add a charming and nostalgic element that will impress others and bring joy to your creations.

Have fun keeping tabs on your resources and keeping them in your possession for years to come,

~Charity

The post Keeping Tabs on your PD Materials appeared first on Organized Classroom.

THANKS for all you do!  You ARE changing lives every single day, whether it is noticed or not.  I truly appreciate all you do for your students.

Speaking of teaching being a difficult profession at times, I know personally for me, my first year was THE toughest!  In fact, my first full month, I secretly cried in my room every day after school.  And normally I am a collected person that can handle stress pretty well.  But it was completely overwhelming.

Had I known then that first year teacher anxiety was normal and just part of the first year teacher struggles almost everyone encounters, I would have probably felt a lot better.

Instead, I was trying to tackle new ideas for everything for classroom management, lesson plans, routines, grading, meetings {oh the meetings!}, parent communication, and more.  And each of these new experiences happened regularly all in a single day.

No wonder I felt sad or had feelings of worthlessness.  Luckily, my physical symptoms were minor and didn’t require medical attention, but headaches and fatigue were prevalent throughout that school year.  Not sure why I didn’t put two and two together to figure out that I was quickly hitting first year teacher burnout levels.

Luckily, I made it through and it DID get easier after that initial school year.  But that was almost 15 years ago.  With today’s additional stresses of school safety, income tied to student performance, and more, it’s a miracle anyone is still interested in entering the education career field these days.

But I am thankful there are dedicated and brave souls who have taken on the task of educating tomorrow’s future leaders.  Thank you for everything.

How to Deal with the Sunday Night Blues

Even veteran teachers can struggle with optimal mental health.  Many even have loss of interest in their career many times throughout their tenure.  The education field is losing great teachers every year to educators who have had to try and learn how to cope with depression and anxiety on their own.

As I was thinking about that year (which I did survive and which taught me so many valuable lessons), I posted a thread on Facebook that asked for advice you would give to a First Year Teacher.  There were almost 200 comments and all AMAZING pieces of advice!

I knew I would have to make a freebie eBook to compile all the responses!

Thanks to all who contributed – the eBook ended up being 30 pages long and would be a perfect gift for a graduating student teacher, someone new to the field (or even a different grade level), or just to review even for a veteran teacher.

More Ideas for Helping Yourself and Colleagues with Stress-Related Anxiety

I bet you know the feeling:  Sunday evening rolls around and instead of feeling well-rested from a couple days off work, your chest starts to tighten thinking about setting that alarm clock for the next morning, you immediately begin to run your mile ling to-do list for the next day of everything you need to get done before students even arrive in the morning, and you have nightmares of out-of-control classroom chaos.

I have been there.

Job satisfaction is really hard to improve when you are dreading the time you have to spend at work.

Something I try to do when I am feeling anxious about work is to brighten a staff member’s day.  Not only do I get to see that person smile, but it feels good in return.  Plus, you never know whether he or she has been feeling down in the dumps too.

Check out these great options for spreading cheer to all who enter your hallways:

Candy Bar Staff Awards are a fun way for all staff members to recognize each other.  And get a sweet treat as an added reward too!

Secret Staff Buddies are like a cross between room service menus and secret gift exchanges for teachers!  Set the spending limit low (for example:  the cost of a stack of post-its or a morning coffee) and make it optional for participants each time so there is no added stress to something that should be a stress reliever.

Teachers Color the World has some free coloring pages for teachers to download and get moving.  Coloring for adults is popular.  It does help to take your mind off things even for a few minutes before you have to go pick up students from their special.

Are there other suggestions you think should be added?  Feel free to leave them in the comments below!

~Charity

The post First Year Teacher Advice appeared first on Organized Classroom.

Of course, when you take a group of students and chaperones outside of the security of your school, it can be a little stressful to say to least.

One of my favorite field trips was our annual trip to the mudflats when I taught in Southwest FL.  It was a county sponsored event every year for our third graders.  I personally wasn’t sure what a mudflat even was before I moved to Florida, so this was bound to be an interesting trip.

We loaded up 6 full classrooms of kids on the buses shortly after arriving at school.

We had coolers for cold drinks and anything else that might melt (I mean, we lived in FL after all).

All the packed lunches were stored in laundry baskets and put in a seat near the front with the teachers.

As we arrived, I have been told that we would be wading in water, so to plan on bringing the appropriate clothes, but I wondered how well that was going to go with a group of “gentlemen” in my class that year that I was terrified would wreak havoc and be drenched 5 minutes into the trip.

Well, I was in for a surprise!

Not only were the boys I was concerned about NOT jumping and splashing others, but they were fully invested in the lesson!

You might want to check out:

Need some new ideas for simple routines in your classroom? This 106 page digital book has you covered!

Includes 15 articles from Organized Classroom, including topics such as:
• Organizing Absent Work
• Helping Student Get Organized
• Remembering Names on Papers
• Organizing All the Paperwork
• Bathroom Break Tips
…and even more!

Now available in our Shop!  And the second copy to share with a friend is half price!  

See it HERE.

At the mudflats, the environmental leaders who were in charge, took small groups to wade up to their knees in the murky water and then they used nets scraped along the bottom to see what they could pull up and view.

There were tons of shells, insects, and small critters.

My students were engaged.  They were even excited to use the microscopes set up to view the silty sand closer to look for more hidden treasures.

All in all it was a wonderful day to spend outside of the classroom learning all sorts of science-y things.

No one was wet beyond their knees and everyone was still talking about what their group found long into the following week.  #success!

Free Youth Day Trip Ideas

Most teachers know the educational importance of field trips.

They realize that students will learn about the subject of the trip (which relates to learning objectives in the curriculum), but most importantly, they will also learn social skills and practice manners for group outings in public.

For some students, they may rarely go out in public places with their family.  Or they may not have been instructed on the appropriate way to maintain themselves when they do.  These are all teachable moments that can truly create better human beings as adults.

So what happens if your school has zero funds to allow you to leave the building?

How about a few of these ideas to find a suitable replacement:

First, contact local organizations to see if they are interested in sponsoring a day trip for your classroom.  Some examples could be a trip to the bank, local wildlife rescue, local theater, or even a grocery store stockroom.

Many organizations within the community would be thrilled to show students what they do and how they are making an impact right where they live.

Second, ask the local PTO/PTA group if they are able to contribute to the funding to secure buses for the trip.  Most field trip budgets will require the cost of transportation, including the fee that the bus driver will make for working those extra hours.

Third, you could ask for donations from friends, family, and student stakeholders to cover the cost of a trip.  Similar to “sponsoring a book” the donors might be thrilled to “sponsor a trip” for a group of kids.  Give them the reasons why you want to take the trip, how the students will benefit, and what they cost is.  Make sure you send pictures from the completed trip to the donors who invest in your class.

Another option is to have the field trip come to you!

There are tons of groups that have community members that would love to bring their world to the classroom and share with your children!

For example, I have had bank VPs who have brought in money and check registers, librarians who have brought puppets and crates full of books, and I have even had scientists bring in paper airplane packs for students to learn more about mathematical theories.

A last option is to try a virtual field trip, which students love too!

I LOVE the Discovery Education website’s virtual field trips.  Sometimes if I have an extra few minutes to fill, I pop one on and have students write down at least 1 fact they learned while watching.  They really enjoy them!

Field Trip Permission Slips

When creating a field trip permission slip, you don’t need to write an essay.

If your school district doesn’t have a basic PDF template for you to fill out and print to send home with students, you can create one yourself or grab one from the list below.

• Field trip Packet
• Field Trip Checklist
• Editable Field Trip Permission Slip
• Field Trip Permission Form- Editable
• Editable Field Trip Permission Slip
• Field Trip Letter with Permission Slip

More resources:

• Field Trip Report Form
• Field Trip Writing Pack
• Guided Field Trip to a Factory
• Zoo Field Trip Printables
• Field Trip Wrap-Up Form

What if you are a new teacher and will be hosting your first ever field trip?

It can be downright terrifying.

No worries!  Organized Classroom and the fans at our Facebook fan page have your back!

Thanks to all who contributed to the latest free eBook:  Field Trip Tips for Teachers!  Yay!

Filled with ideas and helpful hints, it just might give you a suggestion you had never thought of before.

Click here to email your freebie

Read, relax, and enjoy the learning experience!

Chances are the students will – and you don’t want them to have all the fun alone!

~Charity

The post Field Trip Tips for You! appeared first on Organized Classroom.

It seemed for me that every time Janelle needed to use the restroom, it started a chain reaction.  First Janelle went, then it was Ayisha, then Jacqui.  I’m fairly certain they were plotting the end of the world on the back of a bathroom stall door.  Ha!

But it does become obvious very quickly into a new school year who will constantly test out how often you will allow a student to use the bathroom – and for how long said student can be out of the room before you start asking questions or sending out the search parties.

Can I Go to the Bathroom?

This is a question we hear a lot and without even mentioning the infamous “I don’t know, can you?” reply, perhaps we need to take a closer look at why the student may be asking to leave the room.

You would assume that all teachers would know of any medical conditions that required the student to use the restroom more often, but you know what they say about people who assume {If you don’t, then it means it makes an ass – out of – u -and – me}.

Perhaps if you notice that a specific student needs to go more often, the first step would be to check a cumulative file, and make a quick phone call home.

There are probably officially laws and maybe even a school policy about appropriate bathroom usage, but honestly, you might just want to make that parent phone call something informal and keep it light.  

Simply ask if there is an underlying medical issue or if the student has mentioned anything about not wanting to be in class for a reason. That one quick discussion may cut down the requests immediately.

You might want to check out:

Need some new ideas for simple routines in your classroom? This 106 page digital book has you covered!

Includes 15 articles from Organized Classroom, including topics such as:
• Organizing Absent Work
• Helping Student Get Organized
• Remembering Names on Papers
• Organizing All the Paperwork
• Bathroom Break Tips
…and even more!

Now available in our Shop!  And the second copy to share with a friend is half price!  

See it HERE.

How many bathroom breaks is normal?

Every child will be different.

True story:  a a child I was a bed wetter.  Embarrassingly until I was well into high school.  Apparently I had an immature bladder.  Not cool for me.  And I needed to use the restroom more than my peers.

My teachers probably assumed I was lallygagging in the hallway, but no one wants to wet their pants at school in front of everyone.

How Long Should a Bathroom Break Take?

This is where you have a little more control of the situation as you can collect data that shows how long a specific student is missing learning while he or she is out of the room.

Some teachers even create hall passes that discourage leaving the classroom at all so that students are using the bathroom during transition periods instead of during academic time.

Obviously these are for older students – and some may even raise a sanitary concern (blehhhhh germs), but you know your students and school culture the best to know what it is needed.

Teaching a Routine for Managing Bathroom Breaks

Regardless of your age range though, students should be aware of your classroom system for taking a break when an emergency bathroom request is needed.

Make sure you are explicitly teaching these (and other) classroom routines from the very first day of school so everyone knows how to ask, when to ask, and what is the procedure.  

It will save you from making a not-so-fun phone call home about a potty accident and needing a change of clothes.

1 – Expectations

Explain to students in no uncertain terms how to let you know if they have to go.  Will you have a hand signal such as this?

Or perhaps you have a little nurse station where they need to check in?

2 – Choose the restroom

Every school will be different.  At the upper levels, there is a school bathroom.  At the elementary level, there may be facilities right in the classroom as well.

When I taught third grade, we were lucky enough to have one boys and one girls restroom that was shared and located in the middle of 2 classrooms, so students didn’t have to go far out of sight.  

But, we also had hallway bathrooms, which I made sure we utilized as we were coming from or going to specials.  That way there was less reason for students to begin the bathroom chain reaction cycle once we were settled back into our classroom and ready to learn.

If your students are older and will be traversing the hallways unattended, make sure you specify which restroom he or she should be walking to.  Otherwise that student may be walking 5 miles to the other side of the school as an extra time waster.

3 – Know your hall pass right away

If your students will be leaving your room completely, use a hall pass that is appropriate to the age of the child.   Obviously, if you are an elementary teacher, you would have something completely different than a middle school teacher. {ALSO – Free Hall Passes below.}

Lanyards, a bottle of hand sanitizer, or a plastic keychain might be a good bet.

I know for middle and high school teachers, they are fully aware that a small hall pass will get left and lost in the bathroom quite quickly.  

So the trick is figuring out how to make the hall pass something most students wouldn’t want to use, thereby encouraging students to instead utilize the facilities between classes, not during them.

As with so many other things in the classroom, it becomes a balancing act.

4 – Document who is out of the room

You will want an easy way to see who is out of the classroom and for what reason.  Mostly in the case of a lockdown drill or other emergency.

Have all student names on a magnet and have the student move his or her name to the Restroom space on a magnetic board.  Or even write the child’s name a she or she leaves the room.

I used to allow students to take bathroom breaks during our independent reading session daily and they would silently come to the board and add their name to the boys or girls list.  After he or she had returned, they erased their name and the next child went.  

It was a pretty seamless routine and one that worked without any noise or fanfare.

In that same breath, make sure you are teaching students what to do if there is a fire or other emergency while they are in the bathroom.

5 – Set a timer if necessary

You know your students.

You know who is abusing the restroom privilege or who is using the restroom more than usual.

If one student in particular is gone for an excessive amount of time, start setting a timer when he or she leaves the room and documenting how long that child is out of the room.

If nothing else, it gives you black and white data to take to parents and/or an administrator if it becomes an issue that needs to be addressed.

6 – Have conversations

You know your students and who is most likely “farting around.” 

Use empathy if it’s a student who doesn’t normally abuse the situation. Perhaps there is more to it why he or she just needs a learning break. Something going on at home, not feeling well, menstrual cycle started, or an issue with a student sitting near them in class.

TALK with students before jumping to conclusions.

Would you like to know step-by-step routines that put teachers back in control in just 4 weeks?

Download the FREE Classroom Systems Starter Kit now!

As with most everything else, having solid classroom systems set up can make the difference between chaos and a class that pretty much runs itself even when you’re not there.

Need a set of Hall Passes to print, cut, and use? I’ve got you!

Click here to email your freebie

What are your best tips for managing bathroom breaks in your room?  We would love to hear in a comment below!

~Charity

The post Managing Bathroom Breaks appeared first on Organized Classroom.

Sometimes (at least in primary school), the problem falls to the caregiver who may not be getting the child to school on time – or even out of bed themselves.  

That is a tough situation for everyone.

“Janet” was always late. Every day of third grade.

I met with parents for a regularly scheduled parent teacher conference and she was on time for 2 days after, then late again every day after that.

The thing was that Janet’s family lived across town.  There were 12 people living in the house and the parents worked all sorts of crazy hours trying to make ends meet.  If someone overslept and missed the alarm (which happened frequently), then Janet – and her siblings – missed the bus.

Sometimes they didn’t have access to a car.  On the days they did, it took a long time in traffic to get across town.  If they didn’t have a car, she was not just late, but marked absent.

It became apparent very quickly that this situation was not going to change no matter how much the parents were talked to.  I do believe they were doing the best they could.  Thankfully, I had the empathy to try and put myself in their shoes.

You might want to check out:

Need some new ideas for simple routines in your classroom? This 106 page digital book has you covered!

Includes 15 articles from Organized Classroom, including topics such as:
• Organizing Absent Work
• Helping Student Get Organized
• Remembering Names on Papers
• Organizing All the Paperwork
• Bathroom Break Tips
…and even more!

Now available in our Shop!  And the second copy to share with a friend is half price!  

See it HERE.

Even if Janet’s parents weren’t struggling to get her to school, and it was simply because they didn’t care (let’s get real – that does happen in real life), then I still can’t control that.

If it is out of my circle of control, then the one thing I CAN control is my reaction and how I could help the student catch up on the work she was missing out on whether by choice or not.

I needed a system to remember to get her the work she was missing.

Need something super simple for making sure students who are absent get the work they missed when they return? 

I made these super fun {and VERY easy} clips in about 10 minutes!  Cute!

Supplies needed:

• Plastic bag clips
• Packing tape
• Cardstock
• Printable tags (see below)

Check out the 43 second video below for directions!

Why does attendance matter?

As pretty much any teacher can tell you, students that come to school regularly will have a much better chance at academic success than those that do not.

While data and facts also support this – they are not even needed.

Having a consistent safe place where there is hope and forward progress will show improvement of all students who are part of school communities.

School districts should continue programs that educate caregivers about the importance of coming to school and how it impacts their children socially and emotionally, as well as academically.

Would you like to know step-by-step routines that put teachers back in control in just 4 weeks?

Download the FREE Classroom Systems Starter Kit now!

Some other ideas for encouraging good school attendance

10 Classroom Systems You Need to Be Using Right Now – Make sure you have a system in place for tracking attendance and interventions tried

Pocket Chart Make-Over – Use ideas for creating positive attendance rewards

Report Card Comments Roundup – Suggestions for how to documents attendance issues

Need some Absent Work Clip Tags to make your own clips from above? I’ve got you covered!

How do you take care of absent work in your class?  We would love to hear all ideas in the comments below!

~Charity

The post Absent Work Clips appeared first on Organized Classroom.

By implementing these strategies, teachers can create a positive learning environment that promotes responsibility, cooperation, and organization among young students.

With consistent reinforcement and involvement from both teachers and students, maintaining a tidy classroom environment can become an effortless and enjoyable part of the daily routine.

Streamlining Clean-Up Processes

Today I want to share another simple, cheap and effective tip to deal with messes in your classroom.

In our class, we are all about art and one of our favorite art activities is painting.  We all know how messy students can be when painting, especially kindergartners!  

Now, I don’t mind a mess, in fact, my motto is that messy=successful!  But, I do like to contain the messy and make cleanup a bit easier.  

My solution:  plastic shower curtains!

Before we do a painting project, I place the plastic shower curtains over the tables.  The students get to paint like Picasso with no worries of getting paint on the tables!  

Now, the floor is a different story…

When we’re finished painting, I wipe the shower curtains off with a damp cloth.  

You might want to check out:

Need some new ideas for simple routines in your classroom? This 106 page digital book has you covered!

Includes 15 articles from Organized Classroom, including topics such as:
• Organizing Absent Work
• Helping Student Get Organized
• Remembering Names on Papers
• Organizing All the Paperwork
• Bathroom Break Tips
…and even more!

Now available in our Shop!  And the second copy to share with a friend is half price!  

See it HERE.

They dry quickly and I fold them up and store them in a re-usable shopping bag.

And our tables are ready to go with no mess!

I found my curtains in the clearance section of Wal-Mart for $1 each during the back to college season!  You can’t beat $1 and fun colors!

Organizing Toys and Materials

To make clean-up time more efficient and effective, it is essential to simplify the organization of toys and materials. This can be achieved by assigning a designated place for everything, making it easily accessible for students. Clear labels and visual cues can also help students quickly identify where items belong and how they should be returned.

Regular Assessment and Adjustment

Regularly assessing and adjusting the organization of the classroom is another way to streamline clean-up processes. This involves reevaluating the classroom layout and storage solutions to ensure everything is optimized for easy access and use. By regularly reviewing and making adjustments, teachers can ensure the clean-up process runs smoothly and efficiently.

Optimizing the Classroom Environment

By implementing these strategies, teachers can create a tidy and organized classroom environment that promotes efficiency and productivity. A well-organized classroom not only saves time but also helps students develop essential skills such as responsibility and self-discipline.

Maintaining a Tidy Classroom Environment

Once an effortless kindergarten cleanup strategy has been established, it is important to maintain a tidy classroom environment on a consistent basis.

This can be done by regularly reinforcing the clean-up routine and expectations with students, as well as providing positive reinforcement for those who consistently demonstrate responsibility and teamwork.

Additionally, regularly assessing the organization of toys and materials can help ensure that everything remains in its proper place.

Want a fun alphabet finger painting worksheet pack to use with Greg’s shower curtain idea above? Download your free pack right here!

The post Easy Kindergarten Cleanup! appeared first on Organized Classroom.

So, I’m sure you are wondering if I love to keep and save anything that I think might be useful in the future, then why, oh why, would I want to get rid of my filing cabinet.  

Well, the truth of the matter is that I have realized that I can keep everything I use or want and have it to use in a much more efficient manner.  

The other benefits of “downsizing” in my classroom include more space for my students to work and more room for things that matter on a day to day basis.

You see, I have created a new filing cabinet on my computer.  One that allows me to file with much more detail and one that is much more easily accessible.  

Additionally, it just fits me and the way I do things.  

I am not one for just doing everything the same way I did it last year.  

In fact, like many of you, I am always looking for new, engaging ideas for my classroom.

You might want to check out:

Need some new ideas for lesson planning and calendar organization in the classroom? This 70 page digital book has you covered!

Includes 14 articles from Organized Classroom, including topics such as:
-Curriculum Mapping
-Setting Up Your Daily Classroom Schedule
-Digital Filing Cabinets
-Weekly Planning Resources
-Several To-Do List Templates
-Balancing Home and Work Life in your Calendar
-File Organization
…and even more!

Now available in our Shop!  And the second copy to share with a friend is half price!

See it HERE.

 
That being said, I have tended to accumulate more than I have reused.  If this sounds like you, I want to share my online filing cabinet with you.  By no means is this cutting-edge technology, but it has made my lesson planning and “filing” much more efficient and user friendly.  

No more stacks of paper to file away at the end of the week, month, or dare I say semester.

To get started with creating an e-filing cabinet, I went to my computer.  

I am a PC user at home and a MAC user at school.  What I will show you today is from my home, but can easily be done on a MAC as well.  

I started with the Libraries that were automatically on my computer in the Windows program.  In a sense it has given me 4 different filing cabinets: one for documents, pictures, music and videos.  

I use the Documents filing cabinet for my school things.

Once in the Documents filing cabinet, I have created many different folders, just as I would have in a traditional filing cabinet.

As you can see, there are folders for personal things and work things all together (and even a couple that need to be re-filed).  

I do all of my school things in the A+ Teaching Stuff folder.  Why A+ Teaching Stuff, you ask?  

Quite honestly, because I wanted easy access and A+ puts it at the top of my list, where as School Stuff, would have put it toward the bottom.  

Here’s a glimpse inside the A+ Teaching Stuff folder.

I have tried to create folders to cover the different areas of my Teaching Stuff to further add some organization to my filing.  

Instead of everything together I separate out my school resources (divided by grade levels that I have taught) from resources that I create for my blog or TpT.  

Inside each folder you will likely find more folders until I get down to the very last topic or unit.  This allows me to keep like items together and saves me time when looking for something specific.  

Here’s an example of how it works for me. Here’s my Kindergarten folder.  I have it divided my subject matter or topics.

When I am looking for something for social studies or math, this makes it easy to get right to the source.

Inside the Social Studies folder I have further divided the topic into the units that we teach.  Each unit has its own folder which allows me to quickly and easily find items when I need them.

And with a total of 4-5 clicks I have limited my viewings to my resources for our USA unit.  In this folder I keep everything I have, including items I have made, bought or found on the Internet.  

When I am ready to plan I can look through these files and pick and choose the items I would like to use.  

I have also saved a lot of ink since I only need to print the page or pages I want to use.  And by using a multiple layers of folders, I am not viewing thousands of files simultaneously or trying to remember what I might have saved a file as.

The best part of all, all of these resources don’t take up any more room that my computer.  I can also easily copy them into my Dropbox and access them from any computer.  

Now lesson planning doesn’t mean I must be in my classroom (since that’s where my files are) and I’m not toting home stacks of resources to look through.

It is a fairly quick and easy process to set up your own e-filing cabinets.  There’s no right way.  My advice would be to organize in a way that makes sense to you.  You will be the one using it!

One last thing – I don’t miss my big metal filing cabinet a bit.  I did lose my Magnet Center, but that just gave me an excuse to create this in my classroom.

Thank you Pinterest for the idea of using an oil drip pan to make a magnet center.  I never would have thought of this on my own!  Tucked away behind my classroom door, I know how usable space in a generally unusable space!

Would you like a list of 44 Digital Filing Folder Categories to get you started? Download it below!

The post How To Create a Digital Filing Cabinet appeared first on Organized Classroom.

I don’t know all the answers, but I can tell you that everyone struggles with this and perhaps there really isn’t such a thing as work/life balance anyway.  

Furthermore – maybe we should stop striving for something that actually might make us LESS effective.

Hmmmmmmm you say?

If you think about work/life balance as something that you are trying to multitask, it suddenly makes sense that by trying to do EVERYTHING at once (work, maintain a household, run our kids everywhere, have hobbies, stay connected to friends and family members, and on and on), you are actually less effective at each of those things, just like you would be if you were trying to read a book, watch TV, surf work ideas on Pinterest, and cook dinner at the same time.  

I am not sure any of those items would be done well – and probably result in the smoke alarm going off at some point too.

So what is the solution?

I believe doing more of less.

Not only will this save your sanity, but it will result in you getting far more focused time on the activity you are currently paying attention to and allow for above average results.  Effectiveness at its finest.

So, what are some tools that can help you to do more of less?

Here are 5 time-saving tips:

1.  Fridge Board

Make a weekly fridge board.  Have 2 lists that anyone in the family can add to and cross off as items are completed:  Need to Do and Want to Do.   Need to dos are obvious.  Cleaning out a room that hasn’t been organized and is long overdue.  Changing a light bulb. Washing the dog.   Things that aren’t part of your normal weekly routine.

Want to dos are a list of items that the family wants to do or experience.  This might include a cake tasting night at home.  Family game night.  A date night for you and your significant other.

For every 3 items on the Need list that get marked off, the family gets to vote on a Want to item (or take turns picking it).  This really helps to get everyone in the family involved so you don’t feel like you have to do it all.

How can you adapt this for your classroom?  Exactly the same way.  Need to get the classroom library organized or pass out last week’s homework?  Students will help in order to secure a popcorn snack silent reading block as a reward.

Want to know more about time management strategies for classroom teachers?

Check out Teacher Life Balance Academy HERE!

2.  Set work hours

Most likely you have heard of Parkinson’s Law that essentially means if you have 5 things or 3 things to do in the next 8 hours or you will be fired, you would spend the entire 8 hours to complete the list, no matter whether you had 3 or 5 items to complete.  We fill up the time allotment regardless.

If you know you have to complete extra grading or lesson planning at home, set a timer for 45 minutes.  Whatever you get done is what gets done in that 45 minutes.  If you don’t get it finished, you don’t continue to work.

Having a set time to start and finish helps procrastination and dawdling (I know you are surfing Facebook while “reading those essays”).

3.  Using a crockpot or instapot

Whenever you can do something simultaneously – and not jeopardize your effectiveness at all, jump on that idea fast!   A great example is using a crockpot to cook dinner while you are at work – or working outside in the yard.  It does the heavy lifting while you can pull your focused attention elsewhere.

There are millions of crockpot recipes out there – Pinterest will show you the way.

4.  Batch your work

Don’t you hate it when you lose time during trnasitions at school?  It always drives me bonkers if you are switching with another classroom and you have to pack everything up, get in line, get quieted down, walk to the next room, wait quietly again until that teacher is ready, switch groups, get the next group back to your room, get settled in seats with supplies ready, and only then are you able to start focusing on work.  It really makes me crazy to lose all that amazing instructional time.

Believe it not, there are many, many things you can save transition time on at home and at school too.  When you are grading or doing the laundry – make sure you do it all at once.  Otherwise, each time you start and stop you have to remember where you left off, make sure you have collected all the relevant supplies again, and get your mind back in the game.  Even if we are talking about minutes or seconds – those time fragments can add up very quickly.

Batch your tasks so you are getting larger chunks of those actvities done at the same time.

5.  Your to-do list should only contain 3-5 items daily

How do you pick what items MUST go on your list?  Pick items that get you closer to a current goal first.

Good example:  I want to get my classroom (or home) organized so my 3 activities are emptying out the 3 drawers near the sink and repacking them into organized groups, make a list of the read alouds you keep in your secret teacher spot that students don’t have access to, and purging any old papers from your desk.

Bad example:  I want to get my classroom (or home) organized so my 3 activities are grading, lesson planning, and reorganizing the entire supply cabinet by pulling everything out and completely obliterating the currently picked up classroom.

Start with 3 items and if you are finding that you are able to get those 3 completed with a reasonable amount of time left over, then up the list to 4, but never go over 5.  You want to feel challenged, but still accomplished at the end of the day knowing that your efforts were helping you to get to an endpoint of some sort.

Work/Life Balance is not impossible if you start looking at it a different way.  Instead of trying to spin many plates in the air at one time, start thinking about spinning just one plate in the air, and then switching it up when the time for the next focus is upon you.

Do more of less.

Want a list of 10 classroom “Want Do” ideas that cost little to no money, plus 2 premade templates?

Download it below.

What are some of your best time-saving tips for teachers?  I would love to hear your ideas in the comments below too!

~Charity

The post 5 Work/Life Balance Tools appeared first on Organized Classroom.