The two subjects which can cause the most clutter are math and science. Keep your math items organized by topic, in easy to grab bins to pull out when teaching that topic. Remember that students need constant reviews of previous topics, so keep the bins in a place where you can get to them again.

At the beginning of the year, review your science curriculum to see which items you will need. Gather all the supplies you are able to store ahead of time. Place items in bins by chapter. List them on index cards which face out and checkmark which ones are already there, and which ones will need to be acquired closer to the lesson (like food). When getting ready to start a new chapter, pull out the bin to review the needed items. If some things are used for more than one chapter, store them in the earliest chapter’s bin, with a note to move them to X chapter when done.

Want to keep papers organized? Have a hanging file for each month with files for major events that happen in that month (February: Black History, Presidents Day & Valentines, etc.). Then, have hanging folders labeled 1-31. As you make copies for daily use, place them into the folder with that date. Pull out each day’s folder the afternoon before and place it on your desk so you are set to go.

Make a plan for every paper you’ll need to keep for each unit of each subject (such as activity pages, teacher guide, study guide, test, lesson plan, etc.). Have a folder or plastic sleeve if you use binders) for each one so that you’ll notice if it’s empty and those materials need to be prepared.

Keep high-use items like water bottles, tissues, and sanitizer in a small bin to the side of desks on the floor. Use rubber bands to attach them to the legs of desks to keep them in place. Add a paper cup or small cardboard box to use a mini trash can (for non-food items only). This way, students won’t constantly need to get up to toss tissues or pencil shavings in the trash.

Can’t keep track of pencils? If your students have metal desk sides, use magnetic pencil holders to keep them on the side. A quick walk around the room will show you who is ready.

Have a drop ceiling? Use ceiling hooks to hang decorations and student work.

If you are new to a school/class, don’t invest in nice storage equipment until you know it is a position where you will stay for a while. Instead, use whatever recycable containers you can get your hands on to store things.

If files are becoming so bulky that the pages all bend and sink inside the folder, use a binder clip to keep them straight and using only the space they need.

Be prepared for recess. Have a tote bag with the following items to make recess time be lots of fun and run smoothly.

• Clipboard with school paperwork for behavior issues or accidents.
• 2 pens (for the above)
• 2 pencils with erasers (for students)
• Bandages
• Wet wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• Mini pack of tissues
• Miniature trash bags (doggie bag rolls work well)
• Sunglasses & a hairband for you
• Sidewalk chalk
• Long and regular jumpropes
• Bubble wand
• Soft throwing disk

Want to be able to change students’ desks without having to move their desks? Place hook and loop fastener on the front of desks and back of name tags. You will be able to move them as often as you like.

Always looking up the percentage of a certain score? Write out the percentages that go with each number of correct answers directly onto a test’s answer key (or a copy of it if you’re not allowed to write on it). This way, when you grade the test, the scores are already calculated for you.