Hey teaching friends! I know many are finishing up the end of the school year, others are (rightfully) relaxing for the summer, and even more are thinking about next year’s classroom theme and doing some fun classroom projects you normally don’t have time to tackle during the school year!
One such project just might be organizing those supplies all over the classroom. Personally, I prefer to hide my “stuff” to create a cleaner look around the room for the times when visitors are in the class. And I love Sterlite containers to help me organize student supplies, manipulatives, books, art supplies, papers, folders, and more! I like the Sterlite brand because it is easily accessible to most – you can almost always find them in your local big box stores – and they are pretty economical. Now, if you are wanting to have an entire wall of Sterlite then you might want to start saving now because they aren’t THAT economical, but I bought all of the plastics I will show you below for less than $50 and there is quite a bit of storage space there.
Another option is to ask for Sterlites during the holidays or end of the school year when parents never know what to get. They know you might love a Starbucks gift card, but if you have enough Starbucks cash to last you 5 years, perhaps a clear Sterlite is just what you would prefer. 🙂 I have a large collection because I like the fact I can mix and match them and that whenever I changed classrooms – or eventually brought them home – they were mine to keep. They never go out of style!
For those that love having them, but also know that the clutter can accumulate quickly, I just created Sterlite Container Templates! Yay! These are super cute and will available in the themes below. You can always create you own as well! You just need to measure the dimensions of your drawers, create the templates in a word processing program, print, cut out, and tape to the sides. Or just use scrapbook paper! Any of the above would work great – and you get to decide what matches your classroom decor!
My templates include labels for 5 different Sterlite containers, and have editable form fields in both .pdf and Power Point versions for you to customize your labels with anything your heart desires. Another fun bonus are the patterned side panels! Mix and match the designs to keep them all the same, pick 1 or 2 to coordinate, or use all the coordinated designs to match the entire theme.
Each theme is also coordinated with the Common Core Lesson Planning Packs, CCSS Complete Vocabulary Programs, Classroom Essentials Teacher Binder Sets, Personal Planning Calendars, and Classroom Parent Handbooks! If you click on any of the links or images below, you will find the entire collection of that theme, including freebies!
Have fun finding your favorite and getting organized in classroom cuteness! Enjoy! What is your favorite way to use Sterilite in your classroom? I would love to hear in a comment below!
~Charity
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I just wanted to add to your suggestions for storage. My parents had an excess number of the snap lid food storage containers. They gave me the extra and I found that they work good for keeping supplies in also. Not draws but still works for me.
Love it!
The idea is very good. I have liked it. There is a lot of creativity it.