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TIPS FOR
ORGANIZING
TEACHING RESOURCES AND MATERIALS
Color Code Everything (Use the same color for all
materials for each subject or unit.)
 | Try to use
colors that are the same as the copy paper you use.
This way you can color code assignments and handouts.
It also makes it easy to separate papers for grading.
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| For items
where the color can't be changed to suit your needs,
use colored labels. Be sure to cover the labels with
clear tape so they will always look fresh and new.
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| Use colored
electrical tape for resource books for teachers and
students. Students will find it easier to return the
books to the right place in your room. You will find
it easier to find what your are looking for when you
need it. Put the tape on the binding so it shows
easily. If you need to code the books further, you
can write a large letter on the spine. For example,
if science is orange, an astronomy book would be
orange with a large A on the spine.
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| If you teach
more than one class of students, use a different
colored 2-pocket folder for each class. In the
folder, put items for that class, such as the class
roster, papers to return, reminders of overdue
library books, make-up work for absentees, an ideas
that might clarify a problem that the class had
yesterday, etc.
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Three-Ring Binders
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Tear
apart your teacher resource books at the spine,
3-hole punch the pages, and put them in a binder
which you have labeled with the name of the book.
This way, you'll never have trouble photocopying a
page that won't lie flat. You can also color code
your binders according to subject--blue for math, red
for reading, etc.
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Instead
of stacking your professional magazines, tear out the
articles and put them in binders. Label each binder
with its own subject, such as literature, and then
use dividers for the subdivisions, such as historical
fiction and fantasy. Again, color code your binders
according to subject.
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Inside
each binder, place plastic sleeves. Then put your
papers inside these sleeves. You can also photocopy
through the sleeves. This will help protect your
papers, and you don't have to punch holes in them.
This is helpful if some copiers will not allow you to
use masters that have been hole punched.
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Store
your binders on a bookshelf, in boxes, or in your
filing cabinet with the spine showing.
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| If you
are looking for cheap binders, try Goodwill and
other thrift shops. You can usually find good 2 inch
binders for less than a dollar each.
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Plastic Tubs or Cardboard File
Boxes (These
are sometimes referred to as "bankers' boxes.)
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Label
a tub/box for each month. Then store items for that
month in the box. Examples are calendar materials,
special books for that month, holiday projects, and
samples of art projects. If a student finishes an art
project early, have her make an extra one for you to
use as an example for next year.
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Label
a tub/box for each unit or project. Then store items
for that unit in the box. Examples are assignments
and directions, special books, supplies, and a
bibliography of teaching resources not kept in the
box.
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Crates/Square Shelving
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these for storing sorting trays, boxes of
manipulatives, containers of crayons and colored
pencils, etc. Sam's has some that are flat white
squares that you put together into cubes for
lightweight shelves. You can put hooks on the back to
hold aprons, a broom and dustpan, a mirror, etc. They
are easy to see through and around for classroom
management.
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Rain Gutters
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rain gutters to display books that you want the cover
to show. For more information, click on the link
below.
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