As long as I can remember, I've always been a very organized, color-coded, alphabetic order, “let's make a to-do list” kinda girl. Clearly, classroom organization would be my strength. Most people who walk in notice it right away. “Wow, you're organized!” is the most common compliment I get from new parents on Meet the Teacher day. I believe that a well-organized classroom runs smoothly! If you think you are a Type B, unorganized teachers, don't fret- I've seen smoothly run classrooms by teachers who do not have an organized bone in their body. Everything has a place and if you and your students know where it is- then it works. Your students will benefit if you are put together and organized. If you want to get more organized, here's my top classroom organization ideas and tips

Label everything

It doesn't matter how you label things, whether you use sharpies and write it on, or print fancy ones from TPT. Just label everything, especially for Kindergarten! I like to have labels that have a picture of what's inside the bin, so that the ones who can't read, can look at the picture and put it away. If students find something on the floor, make them be responsible to put it back where it belongs. If they aren't sure or can't find where it goes, then I have them put it in a Lost and Found bin on my desk. It's just a little blue bin and usually is filled with marker caps by the end of the day.

Photo of four bins labeled Pencils, Colored Pencils, Glue Sticks, and Dry Erase Markers for teachers working on classroom organization.

Be Prepared

One of the areas of classroom organization I needed to improve on was preparation. My first year teaching there were a few days when I needed a last minute sub. I had to drive down to school, very early in the morning, while very sick and throw together sub plans. My commute my first year was 25 minutes each way, so clearly this was the LAST thing I wanted to do. I started organizing my weekly plans and copies before I left for the weekend. I kinda got into this routine and it has helped me so much!

On Monday, I spend planning for the following week. I write everything down in my planner, print a copy, and save it to copy on Friday. Friday morning, I get to school a bit earlier and head straight to the copy room. First, I make all my copies. Next, I separate them by day into these bins when I get back to my room. Finally, I add in any other resources, such as read-aloud books, center activities, etc. I like using these bins better than drawers because you can fit so much more. Plus they are pretty to look at.

Colorful classroom organization bins labeled with the days of the week.

Now if I am ever sick, all I need to do is write in the sub plans that everything they need is in the labeled bin. Do you see why labels are SO great?!?!

Make To-Do Lists

Image of a to-do list that keeps ypur classroom organization in tip top shape.

It doesn't have to be a cool pad like this one, (that I found at Staples) but it needs to be written down! Use a sticky note, and stick it somewhere you can see so you will do it. I am constantly forgetting what needs to get done, so I have sticky notes everywhere. When I think of something, I write it down, and save it for later. Here is a to do sheet you can use with sticky notes to make to-do lists for the week! It is a freebie in my TPT store.

Image of weekly planning page for teacher classroom organization.

Although I love writing things down, I have recently started using the app Trello for my “on the go” to do lists. I love that you can organize it into different categories, and make to-do lists within each tab!

Clean your desk every day

Image of a cluttered desk that needs to be organized.

Raise your hand if your desk looks like this HOT MESS at the end of the day? If we teach our students to clean up after themselves, we should be too! While my students are cleaning the classroom at the end of the day, I take that time to clean up my desk. It sets a good example for my students to see! Now, when I need to tend to some other bigger problem during clean up time, I make sure to clean my desk before I leave for the day. NO MATTER WHAT! When I walk in the next morning, I want to see a nice clean desk. Then I can get right to work rather than feeling the need to clean it up.