The Clutter Corner is a monthly feature dedicated to classrom organization tips.

Getting Organized

Many of us struggle to contain clutter at home, and for educators, classrooms pose a similar challenge. EducationWorld offers the following strategies to help you de-clutter and get organized in no time.

Start Early

The beginning of the school year is the perfect time to put a new organizational plan into action. In those last few days of summer, get your file holders in place, set up your art station, and find a home for student resources. All of this and more should be done before the kids get there. As you set up, think about regular tasks students can do that will help maintain order in the classroom.

Develop a System

Identify the areas you need to address and get to work. If keeping on top of paperwork is your issue, create a file system. For example, homework, tests and quizzes go in one folder, and graded items go in another. It can be easy to say, “I’ve just got to get out of here,” and stuff a stack of homework into your desk or bag. That, however, opens the door to doing it again, and before you know it, you’ve got disorganized piles creeping up on you. When storing student supplies, have kids keep only what they need in a small pencil box or basket at their desks. The rest can be kept in a closet in clear, labeled storage boxes for easy access when supplies at desks need replenishing.

Enlist Students’ Help

This is their classroom as well, so instill a sense of pride and ownership by having them keep things in their proper place. With certain things like specific student materials, you can solicit their opinions as to where they should be kept.

Follow up by keeping on top of them to return items to their place and recognizing them when they do so. We are all creatures of habit, so it won’t take long before they fall into the routine and take pride in their orderly classroom. Try assigning student jobs that help to keep things organized (e.g., the class librarian keeps books in order on the shelves; the stocker provides supplies to students on an as-needed basis).

Spend a Little Money

This is often the last thing a teacher wants to hear, but think of it as an investment. Purchase different-colored file folders (color coding helps with organization; e.g., yellow is for student work to be graded), hanging-file storage boxes, expandable accordion-style filers (“valets”), baskets, paper-sized trays, and clear shoeboxes or bins with lids. A messenger bag with storage compartments for files and electronic devices is another good investment. These items often are available inexpensively through retailers such as Target and IKEA. Tools like these can make all the difference in the world. By designating containers and folders for specific classroom materials, you are assigning them a “home.” If something has a home, you are more likely to put it there as opposed to “piling” it.

Purge Regularly

Plan a weekly trip to your class or school recycling bin (this can be a rotating job for students). Hold regular free “tag sales” for items you want to discard, but which might be of use to someone else in your building. (A good rule of thumb is that if you haven’t used something in two years, seriously consider throwing it out.) Use a scanner and store as much as possible electronically rather than in hard copy. Respond to items in your staff mailbox immediately, then throw out the papers as soon as you have taken action (e.g., once you have put an event date on your electronic calendar.) Set up a system where students’ graded papers go home at least once a week. On the days leading up to that, these papers can be filed in students’ mailboxes or take-home folders. Non-graded work can be discarded once you’ve recorded any pertinent informal assessment information about the student.

Reclaim Your Desk

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Reserve your desk space only for items you use daily. For example, a three-ring binder can be used to organize essential, frequently used documents such as lesson plans, parent communications, substitute instructions, class lists, administrative forms and school memos. Try a set of stacking trays or a tiered wire file-folder holder for storing other essential items. For any items used less frequently, make sure to designate a home for them elsewhere in the classroom.

Consistency is Key

Creating a plan and getting everything set up is the easy part. The real hurdle is maintaining the system every day. You have to be militant about it. There will be times when you just don’t feel like putting everything back in its proper place. When that happens, ask yourself if you’d rather spend 15 minutes cleaning up now, or two hours doing it in a few weeks. The longer you avoid maintaining your organizational system, the more daunting the process becomes.

Seek Help

When all else fails, ask for help. There are likely dozens of other teachers in your building who have struggled with organization at some point. They can be a great resource for organizational tips that are very specific to your area and your school.