| Another important classroom skill is organizing | | | | drawer for easy access when needed. Next, they put |
| materials. The beginning of the school year is so hectic | | | | out the various colored folders they have brought, |
| on its own, why make it worse by not having a plan | | | | along with their dictionary, and flash cards; to which I |
| for all those student supplies? | | | | hand them a freshly printed sheet of address labels |
| Plastic rectangular baskets from a dollar store are my | | | | with their name. They label these fine items and put |
| favorite weapon against clutter. My trade books are | | | | away in their desk or cubby. |
| separated by reading levels, genre, and/or holidays. In | | | | Last, but certainly not least, the students will make piles |
| my supply cabinets, there are baskets for writing | | | | of things such as crayons, markers, pencils, glue sticks, |
| utensils, crayons, craft supplies, and markers. I even | | | | red pens, and highlighters on my front table. From |
| use two baskets near my desk to collect and return | | | | these piles, I will place a small amount in a plastic |
| papers which are labeled accordingly "IN" and "OUT". | | | | basket which sits in the center of a cluster of student |
| But, the very best way to organize student materials is | | | | desks (I have four clusters of desks in my classroom). |
| to find a way to have a community collection and | | | | The pencils are placed sharpened side down in a large |
| divide the wealth accordingly. | | | | cup that also sits in the basket, which in turn, sits on top |
| When my students come to school in August with | | | | of a colorful vinyl covered place mat. The rest of the |
| their backpacks full of new school supplies, several | | | | supply piles are neatly arranged in an upper cupboard |
| things occur. First, they unload everything onto their | | | | and will be rationed out to the individual groups as they |
| desk so we can sort through it. First, they label their | | | | are used up. |
| rulers and scissors with a black permanent marker | | | | Our classroom becomes a community in spirit AND |
| (they are third graders). I then collect all and place in a | | | | supplies! |