Organize It!

Flylady for Teachers!

I just found a new Yahoo group that is designed to help you organize your classroom!  If you're not familiar with the Flylady concept it's fabulous.  The Flylady was originally created to help people keep up with their housework and all other home related cleaning and organizing tasks.  The Flylady sends daily e-mail reminders telling you what tasks to complete each day to keep your home tidy.  Now this wonderful service has expanded to include teachers and their classrooms!  Here is the link:  Flylady for Teachers

Unit/Theme Storage

The picture below shows all of my theme storage tubs in my garage.  Each tub represents a theme; some themes have two tubs.  I store everything from puzzles and manipulatives to story props and books inside the tubs.  This picture only shows some of my boxes, I have another tower of these in another corner of the garage.  I purchased my tubs from Target, they are Sterlite brand, the largest clear tubs that they sell, you can usually find them on sale two or three times a year for only $5 each. 

My Desk

This is my desk area, I'm very fortunate to have my own computer and telephone. 

File/Paper Storage

I used to store all of my papers in file folders in a file cabinet, however the files were always messy and things were difficult to locate quickly as they were jammed too tightly into the file cabinet.   After changing classrooms three times and carting the files from school to school I decided to re-examine my storage options.    Now I use Clear-View three ring binders to store all of my papers according to theme.  The front and back pockets hold sample projects nicely and when all the binders are lined up on a shelf I have easy access to everything.  I purchased different sized binders according to how much I had to store for each theme; for example my Farm theme is very large so I purchased a two inch binder for that theme, but most of my other themes fit into one inch binders.

Desk Organization

See the organizational resources section at the bottom of this page to order this item now.

The other five pockets are used for the following:

	Phone Log: To record dates, times, and reasons for phone calls to and from parents for documentation purposes.
	Transportation: Since I have two classes I laminate the folder and staple the AM transportation list to the left inside and the PM to the right inside.
	Copies: Anything that I need to make copies of I place in this folder with a Post-It indicating how many, my assistant or volunteers will make the copies.
	Papers to send home: There are always papers that need to be sent home from the office, I just place them in this file and check it daily.
	Emergency Contact List: We are required to have a class list and emergency contact info for all students on hand at all times in case of an emergency.
	*You could also use one of the slots for a substitute file, but I use another method- see below for more details.

Desktop Organizer from Scholastic

This ready-to-personalize, sturdy file box holds 10 file folders with labels designed especially to meet teachers' organizational needs. It's just the place to manage a teacher's seemingly endless stream of forms, notes, reminders, and paperwork. A 32-page companion book is packed with instant forms and logs, plus hundreds of practical tips for getting-and staying-organized. Teaching just got easier!

See the organizational resources section at the bottom of this page to order this item now.

Desk or Other Organization

Substitute Folder

I used a Clear-View three ring binder to create my sub folder.  It's very important to be super organized for a sub so they will want to come back to your classroom again.  It's very difficult to find a good sub who is willing to take jobs in early childhood classrooms so anything I can do to make them want to come back is worth it.  Every sub I have ever had has told me how much they appreciate the sub folder and how helpful it was to them so it's definitely worth the effort.  You also never know when you're going to get a first time sub so it's better to be safe than sorry.

The binder is divided into the following sections:

	Important info:  This page has a list of important telephone extensions, name of principal and asst. principal, name of team leader, names of teachers to go to for help and their room numbers, name of my assistant, class times, lunch time, planning time, directions to the teachers lounge and bathroom.
	Map of the school
	Daily Schedule:  Our daily class schedule
	Class List(s)
	Attendance
	Lesson Plans
	Detailed lesson plans:  My lesson plan template is broken up into six boxes per day, I have taken each box and written detailed, step by step directions on how to do each thing.  For example if the lesson plans say "calendar time" the detailed plans tell the sub to point to the day of the week on the calendar, what exactly to say, and how to locate the Days of the Week song on the sub CD as well as how to operate the CD player.  If the plans say "bathroom break" there are detailed instruction on how to line the children up, how to locate the student bathrooms, and the expectations for hallway and bathroom behavior etc.
	Dismissal procedures & Transportation lists: I have the procedures listed; many subs just open the door and expect the children to leave but that is far from the case with pre-k.
	Sub CD & Play List: A special CD that I make just in case I am ever absent suddenly (you never know).  The sub CD is located in the back pocket of the binder.  We use lots of music in our classroom and this CD has come in handy more than you would think.  I record basic songs that all the children know in addition to our daily routine songs such as our Good Morning song, Good-Bye song, Days of the Week song, Clean-Up song etc.  This makes the children feel comfortable and helps the sub at the same time.
	Emergency Procedures: I leave detailed instructions about what to do in case of a lockdown or a fire drill, including an evacuation route map.
	Notes:  I include blank notebook paper in the back and ask the sub to please leave me a note to let me know how it went.  I also ask her to leave me her sub number (we have an automated system) so that I may call her again.
	In the front, inside pocket of the binder I leave a book or two to read as well as a sheet of stickers for her to give the kids at the end of the day.