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!

A Math Fact Fluency Program That Will Have Your Students BEGGING to Practice Their Math Facts

As a teacher, you know that math fact fluency is an important foundational math skill. But, how do we get our students to realize how important it is? 

And dare say, how do we get our students to BEG to practice their math facts?

What is Math Fact Fluency? 

Math Fact Fluency is the ability to recall the answers to math facts problems quickly and accurately with little to no thinking.  It typically occurs after repeated practice as facts are committed to long-term memory.

To be considered fluent in math facts, students should be able to solve math facts without outside strategies such as counting on their fingers, drawing pictures or arrays, or using manipulatives or a number line.  

Math fact fluency is the foundation of more complex math skills.  If students do not fluently know their math facts, it makes it complicated for them to work on higher-level mathematics such as fractions, area and perimeter, and algebra.

Why Do Students Struggle With Math Fact Fluency?  

Many students struggle with math fact fluency because of the way that most traditional fact fluency programs work.

1. They try to master too many facts at once.  

Many math fact fluency programs have students practicing one math fact table at a time - kids start with the zeros, then move on to ones, then twos, etc.  This gives students at least 10-13 facts to learn (depending on if they are memorizing to 9's or 12's).  

The average working memory of an 8-year-old is only 3 new items!

2. They don't continue to practice with facts that were previously learned.

When students are memorizing facts one table at a time, they don't get practice with the facts they have already mastered, and they often end up forgetting them!

3. Students are not given time to practice.

With traditional math fact fluency programs, students simply take a timed-math test, and teachers hope and pray that the students are practicing.  

We all know that is just not reality!

4. Some students progress, and others flounder getting stuck at a certain level.

With traditional math fact programs, certain students move forward quickly and others get left behind.  They feel bad when they see others making progress and they just give up!

How Do You Teach Math Facts Fluency?

1. Focus on a few facts at a time.  

The Kicking It Math Fact Fluency program introduces just two facts at a time along with their math fact pair.  For example (3 X 4 and 4 X 3).  

2. Give Students Time to Practice Right Before the Test.  

The Kicking It Math Fact Fluency program has a built-in practice portion right before a test is administered. This way ALL students are practicing daily!

3. Give Students Who Are Stuck At a Level Extra Time to Practice.  

The Kicking It Math Fact Fluency Program has a way to monitor student progress so that you can give additional instruction and practice time to students who are not making progress.

4. Provide Students With Extrinsic Motivation.  

Most kids want to know, "What's in it for me?"  

They don't want to practice math facts because they don't see the value of it.  That's why I incorporated the use of karate style "belts" to help them feel as if they are earning something as they master each level.

Certificates are also included if you would like this option as well.

The Kicking It Math Fact Fluency Program  

If you are ready to try a math fact fluency program that will have your students BEGGING to practice their math facts, you're in luck!

I created the Kicking It Math Fact Fluency Program to help students master fewer facts and achieve mastery.

The program includes addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and factors, or you can buy each operation separately.

Games

I am a big believer in making learning fun, so of course, I have included math facts games in the resource!

Differentiation

We all know that students come into our classroom at a variety of different levels. We also know that mastery looks different for each student.

I have provided sets of math fact tests with fewer facts for any students who might need a reduced amount of problems to solve.

You can start students where they are - because the bundle comes with all four operations, you can have some students working on addition while others are mastering multiplication.

Math Facts Timed Tests

When it comes to timing the tests, I ALWAYS defer to the teacher as you know your students BEST!

I give my students about 3 and 1/2 minutes, but you can adjust that time as needed (or don't give a time limit at all).

Kicking It Math Facts Fluency Bundle

You can also purchase the individual operations separately.

Kicking It Addition

Kicking It Subtraction

Kicking It Multiplication

Kicking It Division

I also have a self-grading math facts test option. Read more about how it can save you time!

Make this year the one where your students master their math facts - and BEG to do it!

Back to School Welcome Letters Meet the Teacher

Are you looking for the perfect Meet the Teacher Template to use when you create your Back to School Welcome Letters?

Simply type in your own text on the ready-made templates.

Headers can be edited.

A Meet the Teacher's Aide and a Meet the Student Teacher option are also included.

The best part about these Meet the Teacher templates is that they ALSO include editable newsletter templates that can be used throughout the year!

There are 3 different editable versions!

I hope this newsletter, and Back to School Meet the Teacher letter templates make your Back to School easier!

Welcome Back to School Word Search

Back-to-school word searches are one of my favorite activities to have students do during the first day or week of school. It's an easy activity that students can complete without needing new instruction, so it is a perfect way to help students get back into the groove with independent work.

This Back-to-School Word Search features hidden Back-to-School Words for your students to find.

Word searches are a great activity for building and developing problem-solving and analytical skills. These puzzles are perfect for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders.

These word search puzzles are perfect for the first day of school soft start, fast finishers, time filler, morning work, and so much more!

Not only does this resource have a word search for Back to School, but, it also has word searches for the entire year! 

The resource currently has 20 holidays and 4 seasons included, and I will be adding more for each month!  Grab it now to save money!

Just print and go! Copy the puzzles and have activities for students to complete during the whole year!

Grab this Amazing Word Search Bundle Here.

Other Back-to-School Activities

Back to School Math Facts Color by Number

Back to School Read Alouds   

5 Fun Back to School Activities, Icebreakers, and Community Building Games   

Do you use word search puzzles in your classroom?

First Day of School Bracelets and Poem

I saw these adorable First Day of School Bracelets on Facebook, and I knew I had to share this great idea for helping your younger students feel less nervous about the first day of school!

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. 

If you teach younger students, this would be a great gift to send home before the first day of school, or to pass out at Meet the Teacher Night!

You could also use this with your own child if they are getting ready for their own first day of school!

Although I didn't find the exact one pictured, I did find this great freebie version of the First Day Jitters Bracelet poem on Teachers pay Teachers!

You can find the bracelets on Amazon here.

This activity would also pair great with one of my favorite back to school read alouds, First Day Jitters.

If you use this activity with your students, I would love to hear about it!

And, before you go, don't forget to enter our weekly giveaway for teachers!

Beach Color by Number Printables

These color-by-number beach printables have a fun theme for the summer, or for a fun beach day theme!

 Color-by-number pages are a great way to help students practice their math facts.

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.  

Beach Color by Number

Kids love to color! It's a great way to cure summer boredom while keeping their math facts skills sharp!

These Beach Fun Color by Number Worksheets will help your students to practice their addition facts and multiplication facts while coloring summer-theme pictures including: a pail and shovel, sand castles, waves, beach balls, and surfboards.

Whether you are a teacher, parent, or homeschooler, your students will love this fun summer math activity!

You can use this as a math station or math center, for review work, as a fast finisher activity, to leave for a sub, or to supplement your math curriculum!

Addition Beach Color by Number

Multiplication Beach Color by Number

Pull out the crayons or markers and let your students have fun while learning their math facts with these beach math fact printables!

Helpful Tools We Love For Color by Number Activities

* Printer I absolutely LOVE my HP Printer that uses Instant Ink! I love it because I can use as much ink as I want for one low cost!  No more running to the store for printer cartridges! Try it out for free here! 

* Crayons While you can use any crayons with these worksheets, my favorites are the twistable crayons!  They color so vibrantly and they last a long time!

Color by Number Worksheets

Looking for more color by number worksheets?  You will love these fun color by code activities!

Teacher Giveaway

Before you go, don't forget to enter our weekly giveaway to enter to win a $25 Teachers pay Teachers gift card!

Fun Activities for the End of the School Year

Do you need some fun, low-prep end-of-the-year school activities to fill up those last few days of school?

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. Research Projects

Have students research a topic they are interested in.  You could have them create Google Slide Shows, videos, or traditional posters and reports.

I have some ready-made research projects that are print and go!

President Research Report

Countries of the World Research Report  

2. Jelly bean and Toothpick Towers

The end of the year is a great time to work on STEAM collaborative activities.  I have previously shared blog posts about a Jack in the Beanstalk and a reading ottoman building project.

Another fun activity is to have your students build towers out of toothpicks and jellybeans.  Give each group of students one box of toothpicks and one bag of jellybeans.  The group with the highest standing structure in 3 minutes wins.

You can add additional time or criteria (must include certain shapes or angles) to make the activity take longer.

3. Escape Rooms

Escape rooms are always a fun way to review previously learned material and have a little bit of fun!  You can find some great ones on Teachers pay Teachers.

4. Special Days Countdown

Countdown the last few days with special themed days.  Some ideas could be: movie day, craft day, reading day, electronics day, board game day, Lego day, etc.  

5. Color by Number

Color by Number activities are a great way to keep your students busy and engaged those last few days of school.

I have a ton of these in my Teachers pay Teachers store including these:

Sports Color by Number

Unicorn Color by Number

Summer Color by Number

6. Mental Math

My students always love these Mental Math task cards and the end of the year is a great time to bring them out!

7. Scoot Games

Scoot Games are a great way to get your students up and moving!

Check out this Sidewalk Scoot Game that is perfect for the end of the year!

8. Teach the Teacher Day

Have your students create lessons and then teach them to the class! You can have them create lessons over things you have learned during the year or some of their hobbies.

9. Bucket Lists

Have your students create a bucket list for their summer!

10. Write Letters of Advice for Next Year

Have your students write letters of advice for your new students coming in the fall.  They could also write letters to their future teacher with advice for teaching them.

11. Minute to Win It Game Day

Have a game day with Minute to Win it Games.  I love this freebie on Teachers pay Teachers!

12. Frisbees

Give your students a Frisbee as their end-of-the-year gift.  Have Sharpies available so that they can sign them for each other.  Then take them outside to play catch with them!

13. Kickball Tournament

Challenge another class in your grade level to a kickball tournament.

14. Classroom Awards

Have your students vote for each other to win classroom awards.  You can read more about hosting a Kid's Choice Awards here.

Do you have any fun activities for the end of the school year?  I'd love to hear about them in he comments below!

And, before you go, don't forget to enter our weekly giveaway for teachers!