7 Easy Classroom Storage Ideas

Students bring a ton of supplies with them to school, not to mention all of the things the school (or teacher) provides them!  The trick?  Where to store all of the things?

Here are some classroom storage hacks and ideas!

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase using one of my links, which helps to support the blog.  All opinions are my own and I only promote brands and products that I have used myself and truly love. 

1. Classroom Library

I love to use Sterilite Stacking Boxes for my classroom library.  They are super durable, and strong enough to hold many books without toppling over.

I can usually find these on Amazon. Here is a 6 pack of the small white ones.  You can find medium white ones here. The large ones are great for picture books.



2. Storage Ottomans  

We made our own storage ottomans a few years ago as a class project.

But... if you are not feeling particularly handy, you can find these ones over at Amazon.

3. Pencil Management  

Amazon has a 6 pack of the small Sterilite 3-drawer organizers in black.

4. Anchor Charts

I was absolutely in love with this anchor chart storage system from Cheryl at Primary Graffiti shared on her Instagram Account. You can create this using these hanger holders.

Unfortunately, my classroom walls are sheet rock and I can't install them.  So... I came up with this instead.

This is similar to what I got.


This would be another great option. I found an example of a teacher using it on Pinterest.

Priscilla from Teacheriffic in 2nd Grade shared this storage unit made out of PVC pipe.

This post from First Grade and Fabulous shows you how to build one yourself!

5. Student Book Boxes

Because I have tables in my classroom, I need a place for students to hold their supplies.  These book boxes from Really Good Stuff are AMAZING!  



6. Miscellaneous Classroom Supplies

I love using the Sterilite Shoe Boxes to store miscellaneous supplies such as crayons, glue, etc.  I actually bought the white ones here, but used spray paint to make them green.  The spray paint holds up pretty well, but I usually need to re-do them every school year.

7. More Classroom Storage Ideas

And... if you are looking for a little more classroom storage ideas, you may want to check out my Organization Pinterest Board.

How do you handle Classroom Storage?  I would love to see some of your pictures and blog posts!  Link up below, leave a comment, or join our conversation on Facebook!

The Together Teacher Chapter 11 - Subdue the Backpack Explosion

If your students are anything like mine, you have a few that are, well, organizationally challenged, and when they open their backpacks, there may be an explosion! This chapter in our The Together Teacher book study is devoted to helping your students to become Together Students!  Love that!  Read on to see How to Subdue the Backpack Explosion!

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase using one of my links, which helps to support the blog.  All opinions are my own and I only promote brands and products that I have used myself and truly love.

It is time for another chapter of The Together Teacher in our book study. Today it is time for chapter 11 which is all about getting your students organized.  Our hostess this week is Nicole of Southern Love of Teaching.

If you have missed my previous posts from this book study you can find them below:

                                                                 

                                                                              Chapter 10

                                                                              Chapter 9  

                                                                            Chapter 8

                                                                            Chapter 7

                                                                            Chapter 6

                                                                            Chapter 5

                                                                            Chapter 4

                                                                            Chapter 3

                                                                            Chapter 2

                                                                            Chapter 1

Maia says that she could easily devote an entire book to the topic of keeping kids organized - (ain't that the truth?).  I know that many of my own organizational challenges in my classroom comes from the collections of student learning (and not learning for that matter - you know, the notes, the pictures they draw, the little trinkets and toys they bring in). Paper lives on my desk, on their tables, in their book boxes, behind the furniture, in the hallways, busting out of their binders, it is everywhere!  Thank goodness this chapter gives us hints for getting it under control!

Contain Student Papers

Set Clear Expectations for Desks and Lockers

Maia suggests starting the year with a diagram of what student desks should look like.  In my classroom I have tables and students keep their things in book bins.  I have explained what should go in them (binders, writer's notebook, unfinished work folder) and what things should not (toys, garbage, returned work).

Avoid the Overstuffed Binder

Teach your students how to use their binders by giving explicit directions of what should be kept in them and where those things should go.

Past and Present Student Work

Students love having their work on display, but you want to make sure it is current and not just a dust collector. Maia gives several examples for displaying work including:

*Using sheet protectors to easily change out work,

* Creating a clothesline with clips strung across the room

* Dedicating a board outside the classroom for displaying work.

* Setting up student files or portfolios

How do you keep your students organized?  Link up below to share your thoughts on this chapter.  Don't forget to head over to our giveaway page to enter our current giveaway!

Next week Amy of The Core of Grade Four will be our hostess!

The Together Teacher Chapter 10 - Arranging Your Classroom to Run Like Clockwork

It is time for another chapter of "The Together Teacher" in our book study. Today it is time for chapter 10 which is all about taming your email.  Our hostess this week is Ellie from Middle School Math Moments .

If you have missed my previous posts from this book study you can find them below:

                                                                             Chapter 9  

                                                                             Chapter 8

      Chapter 7

                                                                             Chapter 6

                                                                             Chapter 5

                                                                             Chapter 4

                                                                             Chapter 3

                                                                             Chapter 2

                                                                             Chapter 1

We have all had those days when the bell rings at the end of the day, we smile at our students as we say goodbye, only to turn around to notice that our classroom looks as if a tornado has hit it!

This chapter helps us to organize all the stuff (and boy do us teachers have a ton of STUFF!) that is in our classroom for both us and our students. Maia describes various stations that can be set up around your room no matter the size of your classroom.

A few of these stations include:

Teaching Station

This is your home base where you keep all of your teaching materials for the day.  It should contain all the days handouts, supplies, etc, that you will need throughout the day.  

The Entry Way

Much like at your home where you might keep your car keys, purse, etc. this should be a place where your students can start off either picking up supplies for the day or dropping off items such as homework or notes.  Now that I teach elementary, I don't really have this set-up because my students enter the room at the same time and it would just be a mess.  However, when I taught 7th grade math, I kept my Do Now sheet at the door for the students to grab as they came in.  This made the transition to getting started seamless.

In this section, Maia mentions student mailboxes as a place where you can distribute papers to individual students.  When I taught 7th grade math, I used milk crates with hanging folders in them for this purpose (each period had their own crate).  I still use this system in my elementary class.

Having a Well Stocked Pantry

Well, not really a pantry, but you want to have all of your "ingredients" on hand as you teach.  No more searching for a dry erase marker or hunting down dice for a math game.  Have your supplies ready to go and easy to find so you don't waste time looking for them.  I keep my supplies in buckets on an easy to get to shelf.

I also keep my teaching books and small group work supplies behind my desk where I do most of my small group teaching.

Classroom Calendar

Students love knowing what day it is and what to expect.  I keep a calendar where they can see all of our upcoming assemblies, important days, birthdays etc.

Classroom Library

Students are encouraged to read when they can find books that interest them.  Maia suggests organizing your books either by level or by genre so students can find them easily.

Cleaning Supplies

Let's face it, learning is messy and sometimes you just don't have time to wait for the janitor.  Maia suggests stocking up on a few cleaning supplies for those occasions when you need to do a little tidying up.

A few of her suggestions:

*Paper towels

* Regular cleaning towels that can be laundered

*Clorox wipes

*Dry-erase board cleaner

*anti-bacterial spray

What things do you do to keep your classroom in order?  If you are following along link up below.  And don't forget to visit our hostess, Nicole of Southern Love of Teaching for chapter 11 next week.