I have around 160 kids. Well, they’re not technically mine, but for the 180 days that I am responsible for filling their brains with knowledge, I call them my own. If you’re new here, I am a high school mathematics teacher. I have regular Algebra 1 classes and then I also have cycle Algebra Remediation classes (this means on a six letter day cycle, I have different students on days A, B, and C, than I have on days D, E, and F. Basically– double the students). Life can get a little hectic because quite frankly, that’s a LOT of kids.
I really couldn’t do it if I didn’t stay organized. Over the last four years, I’ve developed some organizational techniques, some of which I’ve adopted from other fantastic teachers along the way and some of which I’ve made up on my own. I’ve purchased most of the organizational items for my classroom throughout the years from Staples and Amazon (told you I’m a big-time Amazon shopper)! I’m sharing all of my techniques with you today so that I can help other teachers (who may also have a large amount of students) get organized too!
Binders: I organize all my materials for my classes into these binders with page protectors. These binders are super sturdy and have really stood the test of time. I’m constantly in and out of them for my class materials. Then, I use these tabs (you can write on them!) to label the pages so I can easily find everything. So, when I get to a specific lesson, I find the appropriate binder, turn to the page protectors and take out everything I need for that lesson. It’s made my life so much easier! I have book ends holding all my binders in place! I also have a 3-inch binder where I place my attendance rosters once they’re full (I always save past attendance even thought it’s in the computer), seating charts in tabbed double pocket dividers, and bell schedules and other important info. This binder stays on my desk at all times! (It’s also great for the days I have a sub.)
Post-it Pop Ups: OMG, I LOVE my Post-its! I purchased a Post-it pop-up dispenser a few years ago and it’s just really convenient. I’m always using them for hall passes or when I’m grading to label and organize my big piles of tests and assignments! (I have 8 different sections of classes this year– and last year I had 9!) As a teacher, I’m continuously multi-tasking, so being able to quickly grab a Post-it with one hand is more glorious to me than some might think! There are different types of dispensers (some really cute ones too) and you MUST use Post-it pop-ups in them. Regular Post-Its won’t work. (They have to open like an accordion to properly work in the dispenser).
Clipboards for Rosters: Clipboards are my friend. I have my attendance rosters, homework check rosters, and restroom pass rosters all on their own clipboard (which all obviously need to be different colors).
Class Folders/Folder Rack: For each class, I have a folder labeled with “work for absent students” on the left and “return to students” on the right. When students are absent on test day, I put their name on the test/quiz with an “Absent on Test Day Label” (more about these below) and place it in the right side of that class folder. All of my folders are in order Homeroom through Period 8 in a wire folder rack on my desk. Also, each student has his or her own folder that stays in the classroom in my possession (in my filing cabinets). I create labels before the first day of school once I get my rosters with the students name and class period (these obviously change a lot after initial schedule changes, but it’s still best to have the majority of them done). Students place their assessments in these folders when they are returned to them. This makes it great for parent meetings and IEP meetings because of all the students’ graded work is in one place.
Absent on Test Day Labels: I love labels too. I created a label template where I record the date as soon as the assessment is missed. Then, I am able to code if the absence was excused or unexcused. This is great for if your school as an absence policy for test days (ours is one unexcused absence per semester on test day– otherwise, the test is scored a “0”).
“What Did I Miss?” Board: I created this board originally on White Board contact paper. It’s an easy way for students to see what they missed on the days they were absent from class. They can see any homework that was assigned and which notes were missed. Now, I have a large white board (which is much better than constantly replacing white board contact paper which eventually gets crumply from every day use) where I wrote the permanent titles with permanent marker and fill in the info each day with my favorite dry-erase markers (small size).
Planner/Desk Calendar: You guessed it– I like to plan. I not only use my iPhone Calendar, but also use a personal planner, and have a desk calendar on my desk at work. I like to be able to see my week/month visually.
These are home made white boards that we use in class to “post our tweets.” I laminated each one and Velcroed it to the bulletin board. It’s a great way to check for understanding.
Meeting/Phone Call Notebook: I like to have a little notebook to take to department meetings, parent meetings, IEP meetings, and to record details of phone interactions. This one is perfect (and cute).
Class Baskets: I have a colored basket for each class period in the back of my classroom. I got mine from Five Below. My students know these baskets are where all assignments get turned in. On test days, they know assessments go in the wire basket on my desk.
Calculator Storage: I have graphing calculators in my classroom. If you’re a math teacher, you know these are worth more than gold. I engrave mine with a code and assign every student in each class a calculator number. I store them here and assign each spot a number as well (yep, it’s a shoe organizer and it works perfectly). It’s also really easy to tell when a calculator isn’t returned. So, none have grown legs and walked out of my room. It also creates an awesome routine. Students come into class each day and take their assigned graphing calculator. This obviously works for regular scientific calculators, too (or whatever model you’re using in your classroom)!
Sharpie Pens: If you’re one of my close friends, you know how I feel about Sharpie pens…<3 I use them for EVERYTHING. I’m a huge fan of the medium point, but if you’re not into that, I recommend the fine point— my first love. I use these to create hand-written assignments sometimes. The print copies perfectly on the copy machine.
Colored Pens: I rarely use red pen to check my papers. I prefer to use blue, purple, pink, green– something not as abrasive. My two favorite types of pens for grading are here and here.
Rose Gold Desk Items (of course!): These are honestly just pretty. I love them and it’s funny because the kids like them too. I have the stapler, tape dispenser, and pen holder. They’re actually the “knock-off” version of the Kate Spade set. They’re just as pretty and work perfect! Sometimes, they go on sale too (which is when I got mine), so just keep an eye on them!
This is my Steelers Countdown, which begins each year with Brett Keisel (at 99 days of school left)! Today, was 75 days of school left.
Bell Work: Every day, my students come in to my classroom and immediately get started on the daily bell work that’s on the board. Sure, it’s a little work upfront (I prepare it the day before), but it’s so worth it. My students are in their seats, not talking, and working on the bell work while I take care of attendance and distributing missed work from the previous day. On Mondays, they take the bell work paper and on Fridays, I collect it. We go over the question that’s on the board each day. For my lessons, I use Mimio Technology, but for the bell work, I like to have it on the board when they come in, so I use my favorite dry-erase markers (they no longer sell them at Staples, so I buy the huge box on Amazon). I prefer them over the Expo markers 100%.
Class Number List/Bulletin Boards: At the back of the room, I keep a class list, where all of my students can find their “class number.” This is their number for their “clicker” (student response system) and their calculator. I laminate these and have them always visible (for new students or those who might forget). For my bulletin boards, I make everything with my Cricut— great investment if you’re a teacher! You can create content on your computer or iPad (letters and images) and send it wirelessly to the Cricut machine and it cuts it out. I often laminate items for my boards with my Scotch laminator and use the thermal pouches for this!
Teacher friends, hopefully post this has helped you in some way– or else, it’s completely convinced you that I’m crazy! But in all seriousness, I am so much happier and less stressed at work when I’m organized. I would go insane having 160 students’ work not where it’s supposed to be. I think everyone has their own system and that’s great, but I think we’re always learning and revamping along the way! I know I am! Happy organizing!
xo,
Ashley
Leave a Reply