I’m a list-girl. I’m the type of person who will add something to the list once it’s done just so I can cross it off. Please tell me I’m not the only one. I love this laminated planner because it’s simple and to-the-point. Just use a fine-point dry erase marker to list your tasks. You can get this planner for FREE!
2. Guided Reading Area
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Credit: One Sharp Bunch |
3. Construction Paper
Use a filing cabinet with hanging folders to store construction paper. You can also store it in letter trays if that works better for you. Either way, all of your paper is in one place!
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Credit: Saddle Up for 2nd Grade |
4. Folder Holder
I love how Meredith, from Creativity to the Core bought an IKEA trash bin, attached hooks to the wall, and hung the bin. Now, it’s a perfect spot to store folders, or anything really. Could you see how you’d use this in your class?
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Credit: Creativity to the Core |
5. Pencil Pouches
Have you ever thought to use Pencil Pouches to store centers? Brilliant, right? My favorite are the canvas pouches with a clear cover so everyone can see what’s inside. Keep everything students need in the pouches so it’s all in one place.
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Credit: Not So Wimpy Teacher |
6. Library Book Bins
I love my bright bins from Really Good Stuff. They are sturdy and match the theme of our classroom. Label them to make for better organization and you’re set. Use lexiles in your class? Label them with lexile levels so students can choose the books that are at their level.
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Credit: One Sharp Bunch |
7. Table Supply Caddy
I’ve never been able to love the idea of students having their own supplies in a pencil case. Maybe because I’m neurotic and the sound of kids rummaging around them makes me want to cry. So, I’ve always bought supply caddies. They’re inexpensive at Target in the Dollar Spot and Michaels. One supply caddy works for 5 kids, love it! Here’s a little tip: get cups to place in the caddy to store pencils and scissors {see below}. For crayons, get a little container to store crayons and stack them. This year, I bought them at Dollar Tree because they matched my colors, but I always used the white stacking ones in the past.
8. New Students
Eeeek, it’s Monday and you just found out you’re getting a new student? Do you scramble looking for all of that beginning of the year paperwork? Not anymore if you follow this organization trick! Grab a few folders at the beginning of the year and place important papers like your Back to School powerpoint, website log ins, class expectations, and all of that other good stuff. So next time you have a new kiddo walk in through that door, you’re prepared!
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Credit: Love Learning with Liana |
9. Math Supplies
I’ve talked about math center organization before, and love this favorite little tip of mine! Shoe hangars aren’t just for your closet anymore! I hang ours up in our math station and fill it with dice, paper clips, spinners, flash cards, and everything else that my kids will need for extension activities and reinforcement. The clear ones are best so students can actually see what’s inside!
10. Technology
Are you lucky enough to have technology in your class? What do you do with it all? I’ve got a few tips over at The Primary Pack as well as some freebie screensavers for your computers and devices.


All good tips! I'm a list girl too but I like good ok paper & pencil. I have a little notebook that I wrote to dos for home on one side and for at school on the opposite side. There's something I love about seeing things crossed off—I can visually see what I've accomplished for the day ha! How well do the wall pops stick to the table? I'm somewhat concerned they will peel up (like the kids' name tags after wear and tear) but I so love the idea.
They've been great after 5 months and no peeling!
My problem with the wall pops is that they get scratched and are hard to erase. My guided reading table doubles as my desk, so things are always getting stacked on it throughout the day. I discovered that you can get the same effect using colored paper and clear (glossy) contact paper. They work just as well and are easy (and cheap) to replace if they get scratched or dingy.
I love your blog so much! Love your periscopes too!
Mrs.Christy’s Leaping Loopers
Thank you for such a thoughtful compliment!
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As I find out I'm having to move classrooms most likely next year for the first time ever, I'm a little too excited to try some of these new ideas out! Great collection of ideas!! Thanks!
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Where did you get your table? I want one so bad!!!
It’s my friend’s table and she said her custodian put two together.
Do you know the dimensions of the table?
I don’t, sorry!
love your i pad station…do you have a printable on tpt for the rules posted with them?
It was a freebie I found on TpT!
Great! Thank you so much!!
Good luck with the new school year.
Great ! 😉
Good tips indeed
Awesome ideas!! Where did you get the rule posters in your technology center ?
They were a freebie on TpT!
Hi Kristen! You are such an inspiration. I’m going into my 27th year and you’ve made me excited about it. I’ve bought so much stuff in the past 2 weeks all because of your ideas and creativity. Thank you for fresh eyes! I would like to know where you get all your cute labels. Esp like the ones on your turn in basket. Keep up the great work. I can’t wait to decorate my room. Oh and could you plz share your Word Work ideas? Like the ones that go in the Lakeshore magnetic folders? Thanks a bunch!
Wow Amy, thank you!
Where can I get that table? I’m searching and can’t find that shaped table. I think it’d be perfect for my tiny resource room!
She had it made.
Do you think the letter holders that you have your ipads in would be sturdy enough for the white macbooks?
I also use them for our chrome books and they’ve worked great the last 5 years!
Where did you find pretty letter trays?
I spray painted them!
Im trying to make the storage crates. I have the bords cut. Did you use batting?
Here’s the tutorial I followed to make mine!
Love it all but most of all the small group table. Where did you get that? I’ve never seen that shape!
Ashley’s custodian made it!
Thanks for sharing!