Classroom Organization

Anyone else notice their OCD the most when in the classroom? I always feel the need to have my classroom as organized as possible to provide the most structure for my students. In this post I'll go over a few of the organizational tools I use within my classroom to keep everything organized.

Student Bins

Each student has their own plastic bin labeled with their name (I have the bins turned around for confidentiality). In their bin we keep their own "Mat Man" pieces for Handwriting Without Tears (these are out of the bins right now), some writing and drawing utensils (crayons, markers, expo marker, and a pencil), scissors (each student has a pair based on their fine motor abilities, some use adaptive scissors), and a glue stick. Last year to help with keeping the classroom safer each student also had their own Playdoh, tweezers and pom poms, and a string with buttons for lacing in their own bin. This system helps us keep students materials organized and separated to help keep them healthy during this crazy time.

Fine Motor and Art Bins

Each Fine Motor activity is separated into a bin and labeled. This makes it easy to change out our daily Fine Motor activities. Some of the activities include Playdoh, foam shapes, tweesers with pom poms and lacing material. The art bins hold items such as color pencils, markers, dobbers, puffy paint, paints with Q Tips, water colors, stamps, cotton and pom pom balls.

Snack Bins

We have a snack bin for each of the three student work tables in the classroom. Each bin has a variety of snacks, a snack wheel (a black circle with velcro dots), and PECs for the snack choices in the bin.

PECS Visual Schedules

Each student has their own visual schedule to follow daily. They are low to the ground for students to access them easily. See my future post on Visual Schedules to learn how we use them. The owls have student's names on them.

Kitchen Area

All of my students love to play in the Kitchen Area. They practice their social-emotional skills by pretend playing. To help with organziation I only have about 10 to 15 play kitchen items out at a time and I rotate them throughout the school year.

Sensory/Toy Area

I have quite a few students in my room with Autism. These students have sensory needs. We have a fidget bin for students to use as well as a bean bag and a small trampoline. I also place toys in this area for students to play with when we have free time.

Library Area

My favorite part of my old classroom in Minnesota was my reading corner. These Preschoolers still love to look at books even if reading is a new skill for them. They always enjoy the classroom library. I put out books after I read them to the class and I try to find as many books as I can related to the theme we are doing.

Art Table

Each student goes the the Art Table each day. The table is ran by one of my paras. Some of their favorite art activities we do during every theme include painting with Q Tips and tracing letters, numbers and shapes in shaving cream. The art material bins are located right next to this horseshoe table for easy access to materials.

Academic Table

Each student also goes to the Academic Table each day. The table is ran by one of my paras. Students complete fun activities such as puzzles, matching games, and art activities. The activities are related to academic content such as numbers, letters, colors or shapes.

Individual Lesson Table

This table is used when students have Occupational Therapy or Speech Therapy. The Therapists use it to work with students one on one or in a small group. When it's not being used for Therapists it is where student go when it's their time for puzzles or blocks during centers. It is perfect for puzzles and blocks because they fit in the center of the table to keep them away from students until it is their time at the table.

My One on One Center

My one on one center is where I work with students on their IEP goals. I do plan weekly what I am doing to do with students. Then I make sure everything is in the bins so I am prepared for my one on one or small group lessons.

Circle Time Board

I use one of my whiteboard for Circle Time. On it I have the Calendar, Days of the Week, a clip for the Weather, the PECS for Circle Time, and the class daily schedule.

There are so many fun ways to oragnize your classroom! What are your favorite things to use to help your classroom stay organized? Remember every classroom has to be arranged to fit the needs of your specific students!

~Marissa