New technology in the classroom is always super exciting for the teachers who get the joy of adopting new materials! This is often short-lived when the educator realizes how much planning will be devoted to not only incorporating the devices into the curriculum effectively, but also topics come up such as behavior management, care of […]
Classroom DIY
Classroom decor ideas for all classroom teachers. Includes ideas for storage, managing mailboxes, easy center stations, word walls, organized desks, and more! Have fun exploring!
DIY Washi Tape End of Year Classroom Awards!
Hey teaching friends! I know I mentioned my new love for washi tape in the Easy DIY File Folders post a few weeks ago, but I am seriously smitten with it! As I am not so much a crafty person, I have found that tape is definitely a medium in which I seem to be […]
Pretty Clipboards?
Do your old clipboards leave a little to be desired? I know mine did! They were covered in marker, crayons, and paint from student creations over several years. So, I decided to do a complete “clipboard makeover” and spiff them up a bit. Even craftier teachers can make their own personalized handmade clipboards for others teachers, […]
Breezy Birthday Treats!
Student birthday treats: You either love them or hate them. Personally, I love them. Mainly because I have had students in the past who came from families where their birthday wa never celebrated. And that breaks my heart. So no matter what, I make it a point to make a big deal when it’s a […]
DIY Phone Speaker
The best classroom teachers play music throughout the day: slow music to work, brain breaks to break up the day, and more. Using a classroom speaker amplifier is good for students who might not have perfect hearing, or perhaps they are sitting next to a noisy hallway. Having a way to amplify whatever you wish […]
Binder Clip Centers Signs
Hey teaching friends! How about a fun and easy way to display your classroom center signs? And I bet you might even have all the supplies you need already on hand! Score! Would you like to know step-by-step routines that put teachers back in control in just 4 weeks? Download the FREE Classroom Systems Starter […]
The Gifting Tree
Need an idea for a “gift basket type” of fundraiser item, without having the hassle of coming up with a gift basket theme, going to 10 different stores to get the materials, and making it look super pretty (well, maybe I am the only one who has problems with that)? Or maybe you have a […]
Student Gift Idea: Snowflake Window Clings! And a Freebie!
Hey all! Hope you had an awesome Thanksgiving Break and are prepping for the holidays! YAY! How about a new idea for students to create gifts for their loved ones? I know I was always looking for new ideas each year that don’t cost a ton to do, don’t take too much time away from […]
Marker Mug Magic
Hey teaching friends! It has been a crazy last couple of months to say the least! I hope your life is way more calm. 🙂 Today I wanted to share a fun and inexpensive gift idea for your colleagues. Seriously – it is so simple and fun! I don’t know what you all like to […]
Learning with Washi Feathers!
As I was thinking about US Thanksgiving, I thought about how I learned about Thanksgiving when I was in school. What I don’t remember learning a lot about was Native American culture throughout that process. {Keep in mind, this was a great many years ago.} So, while I was doing a little research, I did […]
Some DIY Love For Your Centers!
Are you looking for a new idea – or 2 for your learning centers? Need something a little more novel than the standards you have always used? Have you ever been in the restaurants where they place paper on the tables? I have noticed at those places that kids are busy drawing, playing games, and […]
Quiet Dice Solution
Hi there fans and followers of The Organized Classroom Blog! Today, I created another video! Whoo hoo! This one is from a tip from Janice! I mentioned how the sounds of 15 sets of dice hitting the table (or mainly the floor as they were being whipped about), was almost unbearable without carpeting. Janice’s idea was […]
Baggie Business
Hey teaching friends! Just stopping by today to share with you a pretty cool organized idea that was shared by Andrea C. on our Facebook fan page – I felt it was fabulous! With so many schools reducing the amount of copies a teacher is allowed, and not having the resources to go out with […]
Get Rid of Your Desk!
I know some are looking at the computer like it has alien doodads coming out of the top of it, but think about how much space a teacher desk takes up, and how often you use it. Of course, in some schools, the furniture is pre-placed and not allowed to be moved. In others, there […]
Absent Work Clips
Hey teaching friends! School attendance is a tough topic because many times chronically absent students aren’t out of school by choice. Sometimes (at least in primary school), the problem falls to the caregiver who may not be getting the child to school on time – or even out of bed themselves. That is a […]
Four Chair Pocket Choices!
I know chair pockets are a hot topic because it is SUPER nice to be able to have a place where students can easily get to their independent reading items without having to dig through a desk or go to a cubby to grab it. I always dreaded certain transition times in the classroom: lining […]
Soaring with Spring Snacks
Hey teaching friends! Today, I just wanted to share an idea that I did for my son’s preschool class for his birthday treat. I thought it would also be a great idea for an end of the school year celebration too! It was a huge hit with the teachers and students alike! I certainly can’t […]
Make Your Own Multi-Pocket Writing Folders!
So – today I have a super easy and quick idea for all of you who don’t want multiple pocket folders in your students’ desks! DIY multipocket folders from two 2-pocket folders with brads without needing staples, tape, binding machines, or anything else! Of course, you could make them even larger IF you want to […]
Storing Sight Words
Teaching sight words to new readers is vital to their literacy success when learning to read. Sight words are those words that come up repeatedly and may or may not follow the typically phonics rules. Many teachers like to send home sight word flash cards for students and parents to practice regularly outside of school […]
Making Some Classroom Mailboxes!
I don’t know about your classroom supply budget, but mine never seemed to take me far after I bought teacher supply necessities like copy paper, pencils, and chart paper. I LOVE the usefulness of student mailboxes, but paper sorter/organizers that can be used for classroom mailboxes can run around $100 for 12 slots (and that […]