Classroom storage is at a premium in even the most spacious of classrooms. Figuring out where to put everything at the end of the school year is equally as challenging! That’s why we asked Really Good Teachers from around the country to share with us their tips and tricks for storing and organizing items in (and out) of the classroom. Check out these three ideas from veteran teachers who know what it’s like to have more teaching materials and supplies than they have storage space for in their rooms and homes.
Classroom Storage Solutions for End of the School Year
Book Organization Solutions
This idea comes from Melissa, a Kindergarten Teacher, from Plant City, FL. “As I get my classroom library ready for the next year, I make sure all books are back in their home and update my database of books,” she explains. “I have over 1,000 book titles to date. I keep all of my books in labeled plastic magazine file boxes. I organize the boxes by topic, theme, author, and favorite characters. ‘I Can Read’ books get their own box. I am working on adding mini-labels to each book (to make it easier to find homes for them) and on adding library pockets for class checkout. I do have a few books that don’t fit in the boxes, and they just live on a shelf. Keeping the books organized this way makes setting up my class library each year a pleasure.”
Storing Math Manipulatives
Marie, a 1st Grade Teacher, from Lago Vista, TX describes how she packs up her supplies at the end of the year to make classroom set-up a breeze. “At the end of the year, I store my math manipulatives in clear plastic “shoe boxes” similar to the Stackable Storage Tubs With Locking Lids from Really Good Stuff® ,” she says. “The boxes or tubs store plenty and stack easily. Come next year, I’ll be able to see at a glance what I have and where each manipulative is when I need it.
Large Item Storage
“When storing larger manipulatives and posters, I use under the bed plastic boxes,” explains E., a K-5 Special Ed Teacher, from Dry Ridge, KY. “They fit perfectly into my large two-door cabinets. I can put several boxes on each shelf. I place the items in there and hide them neatly until needed. Since they are clear, it is easy to see what is in them, easily labeled with contents.”
What’s your best tip or trick for making the most of your classroom storage space? Leave a comment below or join us on the Really Good Teachers forums to share your expertise!
Cid says
I have a similar way of organizing my classroom library. I like the idea of mini labels to assist in finding the correct home for the book. I may have to try that next year. Since I teach second grade, my book bins are labeled with both the category of book and a picture(s) so it is easier for students to put them back correctly.
Kiersten says
This is a great idea. You may want to try visiting the website, classroom.booksource.com. You can keep track of your classroom library electronically, plus the students can check in or out books! It’s a great resource.
Amanda Lawson says
I organize my books by AR Level. i really like the way you organize yours and it seems like it would be much easier for students to find exactly what they like to read.
Cynthia says
Thanks for the tips. I’m trying to decide how to set up my library next year 🙂
Alice pomeroy says
I have the set of neon green magazine holders for my students to keep their journals in. They love the bright color.
Judy Harris says
My classroom library is around 1,000 and it takes me all summer to get it separated and organized. I have a student job each week for someone to keep the shelves neat, but the books still get out of order. Thanks, definitely going to give it a try.
Christin Frank says
I like your organization idea….I agree that students are more likely to read if they can find a book they enjoy. Your idea steers them in multiple ways- topic, by author, character, etc. Students will love this too!
Anne says
I have boxes that hold my books according to author, genre, etc…, however, I like the idea of using these baskets so the books can be seen easier without having to rummage through them every time a book is needed.
Christy Setzke says
I organized my library in the similar manner. I have also labeled the books according to the Fountas & Pinnell reading guides. Then I took the time to separate the books into categories. Special books for each month and holidays that I wanted to use to for teaching were pulled and placed into special covered bins. The months of November and December so far have three bins between them.
Janet Reynolds says
I have found an inexpensive way to organize books using cereal boxes. Cut the box diagonally but up from each end 3 or 4 inches and you have 2 book organizers out of each box. Cover with contact paper, scrap booking paper and apply a label. This is a good way to recycle/reuse something that will end up in the trash–and save you money too!
Sarah says
I love the idea of putting mini-labels on each book! Could be time-consuming, but will save a lot of time later if kids have a visual that helps them put books back in the right place!
Wendy says
I organized my books into baskets by subject and coded them with shapes/colors stickers on the baskets. Periodically I go through the baskets and get rid of books that are no longer in decent shape. I also will periodically have students help me check/resort the books when it appears that they have not been put back in their proper places.
Allison says
I base my classroom library organization after Beth Newingham’s. If you haven’t checked out her site, you definitely should – http://hill.troy.k12.mi.us/staff/bnewingham/myweb3/library.htm. She has some phenomenal ideas!
Karen Harris says
This is important for so many reasons. Not only does it keep your books organized, it teaches children classification and differentiation regarding genre and fiction/nonfiction. It is an on-going lesson that the kids practice all year,
Karen Harris says
The other great bonus of these fileboxes is the weight. I used to use larger tubs, divided into sections by cool orgainzing tabs. The only problem with this is that the tubs became too heavy for my second graders. Kids can easily lift-out the magazine boxes to browse, which also helps to relieve the crowded congestion at book shopping time. I like to add the clear plastic pockets to the front of the magazine file. That allows me to slip-in a colorful label, while also making it easy to reclassify the books.
Marianne Griffith says
This is a great filing system with organizing tabs. I have lots of How to Draw books in the art room and this would help the students find the type of drawing book they wanted faster!
Ellen Parker says
What a great idea to use magazine file boxes to store our books. I am always looking for ways to better organize my classroom. Thanks for the tips!
grace gRant says
magazine file holders are my new best friend!
Felicia Christian says
I teach third grade and my students were not always the most principled when it came to putting the books back in the correct tubs. We had a class meeting and the kids came up with the idea of having a class library card. Each student decorated a 3×5 index card with their name and designs. I put an envelope in each book tub with the tub’s name or theme. When a student wants to borrow a book, they put their card in that tub’s envelope and when they want to return the book, they look for the envelope with their card in it. This was a great way to ensure students are returning books to the correct tub and making sure students only had one book in their desk at a time.
Lesa says
Always enjoy looking at how others organize their classroom libraries! Such a big task-thanks for the ideas!!
Marie Madden says
I, too, do a very similar thing. I also went to putting a label on the back of each book to identify which box it went back into. This way it is SSOOOO much easier for the kiddos to keep the library neat and organized. I rely on a few capable students to do this each year for me. Also, I put a little label on the front of the box to match the label on the back.I tried keeping a database of all my books, but kind of stopped doing that. I was wondering why you do that? Should I be keeping up a database?
Paige says
I got some great ideas for organizing my library especially since I am moving into a smaller space. May be spending some of my teacher allotment on these baskets.
Christin Senechal says
For books that I own personally, I had a set of address labels printed with “From the Library of Mrs. Senechal”. I chose a bright pattern from http://www.vistaprint.com. It’s easy for the kids to differentiate them from the school library books. Also, I love the metal wire bins in the photo – anyone know where those are from?
Jenny Galla says
I love that the covers of the books are shown. This builds the student interest levels and encourages them to pick up the books. Very cool!
Tiffany Coleman says
I use magazine file boxes for The Daily 5. An amazing book about organizing centers and differentiating instruction in the class room. I love the magazine book boxes.
Belinda says
Great idea! Love your baskets. Love books, too!
Hattie says
I am always looking for new ways to organize my books. Thanks for the great ideas. I can’t wait to put some of them into effect.
Thanks again
Jenna says
Love your organizational ideas!
Caitlin says
I still havn’t found a way to organize my books that works for me. Every idea is appreciated!
Amanda says
My library is “organized chaos”. I am searching for a way that works for my students and I. I’ve been looking at various storage options and just haven’t been able to decide on one way. Thanks for the suggestions!
Christina D. says
These would be great for organizing some workbooks that I have in class.
Julie P. says
I use ideas close to this as well. It makes things a lot easier!
Daina R. says
I use a similar idea. Thanks for sharing!
Leah Demain says
Wow! Cool ideas, I can wait to reorganize my library his summer
allison brocking says
What a great idea. Will look foward to trying it in the fall.
Kristin Cappelli says
I really need a better way to organize my books! I don’t have book bins or magazine files because they are expensive, my books are on shelves. Will be checking out some of these ideas!
katialpz says
Great Ideas! I Organize them on shelves by level because I have different groups and ages. I run a free book club. In order to have more books for the children I sell books also so I get to keep some copies for the children that come here. I organize the books also by chapter books, board books, fiction, and non fiction.
Children just need to sign out the book and I simply erase it from the list once is returned.
If you want to check some books here is the link
bookandgifts.highwire.com