Classroom Hacks make me so dang happy because they're efficient and make sense. I love when I figure out a clever way to implement an idea, probably way more than I should, but I can't help it. If you follow me on Instagram, you already know that efficiency makes me giddy and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one, right! I love clever tricks to help with management and organization. Anything to make my life easier!
I want to share some of my classroom hacks that you can use tomorrow in your classroom. This post contains Amazon Affiliate links where I'm paid a small fee from Amazon for sharing links.
I want to share some of my classroom hacks that you can use tomorrow in your classroom. This post contains Amazon Affiliate links where I'm paid a small fee from Amazon for sharing links.
1. Table Points
My favorite classroom hack helps with classroom management and table points. I have very high ceilings this year so I can't hang table point signs from the ceiling. This year, I bought place card holders (like you see at weddings) and made cute table point signs. Yes, I have 5 tables that are vowels! When kiddos are being awesome, they get a table point. Super easy because they know to come grab a clothespin and clip it. It's also a great visual if kiddos are being too chatty and you need to take a point away. I've found this system is so much more powerful than tallying table points on the whiteboard. Try it and let me know how much you love it!
2. Sit Spots
Sit Spots are THE best because they give kiddos personal space and there is no more friends sitting in the wrong spot. Since I don't have carpet this year, I'm using my sit spots in sitting areas like this one, our listening center. I don't want to hear kiddos argue about where they sit, so I plop these down and have eliminated a potential problem. Time saver and super cute!
3. Center Organization
Over the years, I've organized my center area a bazillioin gazillion ways and this is what works best, I promise! The clear boxes on the left are our “may-do” centers. Kiddos take the box to their seat and work on it independently. No more lost items or kiddos asking, “I'm through, what to do?” I stock this area with games and activities from this pack! Want to know more?
4. Copy Clips
This has truly kept me sane. During my 3rd year of teaching, I was blessed with a copy mom. Week-after-week, I would put post-its with directions on everything that need to be copied. It finally dawned on me that I was writing the same thing, every week! So, I started using clothes pins to write my instructions. I just clip them to the papers that need to be copied and we're good to go. 8 years later, I haven't looked back!
5. Turn in basket
I saw this idea last year on Instagram and knew I had to make it work in my class. When friends turn their work in, they find their file folder with their number and simply place their work inside. (See how it works) Now, if a kiddo forgets their name, because they always do, I know who it belongs to! Plus, it makes filing papers in cubbies so much easier! See where I grabbed the bin.
6. Cubbies
Speaking of cubbies, I sold mine a few years ago when I moved to Hawaii. Last year, I bought a shoe organizer and it has worked perfectly. I label the cubbies by number so I don't have to change them out every year.
7. Jobs
Kids need responsibility. My class is well-run because everyone has a place and a job to do. This easy chart lists jobs with a stick with each kiddos' photo and student number. Jobs are changed weekly! See how I organize the jobs in this video or grab the job labels here.
8. Differentiate work
I don't have time to pass out 5 different sets of Word Study words. These magnetic pockets from Lakeshore have been a lifesaver. I just place the work inside and students come find their folder and grab their work!
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9. Baskets
Use bins from Dollar Tree or Big Lots to organize your books in your library. They hold up well and are a lot less expensive than some of the teacher supply stores. I made a video for you to see some different options you can use. No more messy libraries, I promise! Learn how to level your library here.
10. Focus Board
Use washi tape to create a focus board in your classroom.
11. Memory Book
I love using this bulletin board display that turns into a memory book. I especially love that the students are in charge of hanging up their own work! I've talked about creating these memory books here for you. Get the writing and art activities for the entire year, here!
I hope these ideas can help you get organized. I'd love to hear your favorite organizing tips!
Want more organization tips, click here!
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Love this post⭐️?⭐️?⭐️?
Thank you, Katie!
I’ll try some. Thanks!
Hello Mrs. Kristen! I will be entering my second year of teaching first, and these tips are indeed helpful! I have a question about you jobs. How do you let students choose what jobs they want; as in who gets to choose first, second, third, etc.? Is there a system you use for this or do you randomly call on students every several weeks?
Thank you for your time, intentionality, and advice!
Hi Alexia,
In the beginning of the year, I explain all of the jobs. Then I grab the sticks with the students number on them and call them randomly to tell me what job they want. Once that job is full (2 people max for most), they have to pick something else. We switch out jobs about every 2 months. I’ve never had anyone complain (too much) because they didn’t get the job they wanted!
How do you keep the table signs from falling over?
My kids keep them in their table caddy so they don’t fall over that often!
Love this post! I’ve learned sooo many tips from you that have made my teaching day so much more organized and happier! Thanks for sharing!!
Great ideas! On the focus board what did the teacher use as the pink border ?
washi tape
I love this post. Thank you. In my School, the children move to other classes for lessons and some other come to mine as well… any ideas on how to manage the time it takes then to actually move out and not forget anything behind?
Just lots of modeling as you share your expectations. Practice a lot to help make transitions run smoothly the entire year!
Where can I find the I can posters for your focus board?
I bought them on TpT from Surfing into Second.
These are awesome! Almost makes me want to go back to elementary. Now…to see how to translate these great ideas to middle school, 8th grade. 🤗 Thanks for the inspiration!!
U rock! Where have u been all my life? This is my fifth year of teaching at least thanks for sharing! Cant wait to get to my room! My kids are gonna love these changes:)
You’re so sweet, thank you!
I appreciate your kind words, Jackie!
How do you connect them to the wall? I am sorry but I must have skipped over that part.
Just staple the 4 corners and the middle!
I love your tips- especially your memory book idea!!!!!!!
Unfortunately, I am unable to staple folders to the wall, since the walls are concrete. Any other hanging suggestions?
Wow! I have read a lot of blogs, but none of them have ever made me so inspired like yours. Thank you for all the tips, tricks, videos and resources. I love how everything you need is right in this one post! I love it! Thank you!!
Hi,
I’m going into my 3rd year of teaching and I wanted to implement the table points. I will be teaching Kindergarten this upcoming year, I wanted to know some strategies on how to introduce it to the class and how to implement it with them? Does the winning table get a prize? Do you have the start from scratch each week? Is Kindergarten too young to begin this with them? Any advice would be great!
We start fresh every week. On Fridays, the table with the most points gets our read alouds for the week in a book box. I’ve done food rewards in the past, going to lunch early, treasure box. etc. I used this in K as well so they can definitely handle it!
Wow….I have so much work to do! I am moving down to first grade, after10 years in the 4-6th grade classrooms, I’m so excited, though, and am thankful I happened to find you!
I teach high school and your ideas are great, but definitely geared for elementary school. I have a hack that keeps me sane. I label a wall, door with “Have you been a sent?” Then I take one folder for each class/level I teach. As I take attendance I label whatever worksheet, quiz or handout with students name and place it in folder, this way I don’t have to go crazy looking for what I did and it’s the student responsibility to pick up work. It really was a life changer when I came up with this.
Thank you for the great ideas!
I love the memory book. The link goes to a two print folder. Is that what you used? The way yours are hung it only looks like one.
Yes! Just cut it in half so one folder will work for 2 students!
I use clothespins with student numbers for turning in homework and graded work. I have a homework tray with black sharpie numbered clothespins by the window and another try by my desk with red sharpie numbered clothespins. I can see in an instant who has not turned in their work. Students will call out #5 and #16 haven’t turned in homework.