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March 2009

CLEARING CLASSROOM CLUTTER

Clearing clutter is more than just cleaning up papers and other things lying around. Clutter can be anything that’s out of order or unnecessary. Keep reading to discover ways to clear clutter that extend beyond the obvious!

Making clutter takes a lot less time than cleaning it up. However, once you’ve cleaned your clutter, keeping it to a minimum maximizes your time. Here are some time-maximizing tricks to keep your paper and supplies, your classroom management and your mind clutter-free.

PAPER/SUPPLIES

Focus on one area at a time. It’s very easy to get sidetracked when cleaning.

Put things away immediately. Procrastinating just creates piles you’ll have to deal with later.

Color code! Assign a color to each subject or class and coordinate your HANGING FILES, FILE FOLDERS, FILE CADDIES and LIFETIME BINDERS. Have your students use color-matched notebooks and POCKET FOLDERS. One glance is all it takes for you and your students to keep your papers, notes and files organized.

Organize your papers. Create three to five categories for all papers (to grade, to file, to read, etc.) and assign one bin to each (like THE PAPER WEDGE). Place papers in these bins throughout the day, then make sure the papers are in their proper location by the end of the day or week.

Cut back on homework assignments. Make sure assignments are relevant and are a good gauge of your students’ understanding of the subject.

Keep only masters on file. Discard leftover copies of assignments and tests.

Take advantage of products like our HOLD-‘EM-UP PADDLE BOARDS and WRITE ON! PAPER-SAVER POCKETS. They reduce time-wasting trips to the copier and save paper by letting students practice the same skill multiple times.

Find that hidden stuff. Just like dust bunnies, “stuff” can lurk in lots of hidden places. Periodically check under or behind your desk and furniture for items. Make sure bookshelves aren’t hiding books or things that don’t belong.

Organize miscellaneous items. For non-paper items that clutter up drawers, shelves and hidden spaces, have five containers: Trash, Recycle, Donate, Move (take home or put elsewhere in room) and Keep. If you need it, add a sixth “save” container for things you’re unsure about. Put next year’s date on the container. If you haven’t used the contents within that time, then donate, toss or recycle.

Organize supplies. Use STORE & STACK IT ALL, COLOR-PAK STORAGE TUBS or COLOR-CODE HANDLE BAGS to store manipulatives, miscellaneous craft items or anything else that needs a home! Separate supplies by student or teacher use and how often they are used. Keep often-used items within easy reach and infrequently used items in hidden or out-of-the way spaces.

Don’t think you have to fill every open space. Do your best to keep countertops clear, or use them for a specific purpose, like displaying books. (Our SIX-TIER AND COMPACT WIRE BOOK DISPLAYS, TABLETOP BROWSER and BOOK MATE DISPLAYS are all for table- or desktop use.)

Use your computer. Store lesson plans, worksheets, grades, student files and more on your computer to save filing-cabinet clutter. Be sure to back up your computer files on a regular basis.

Clean your computer. About once a quarter, check your computer files. Organize all files in folders by subject, then by unit. Create even more subcategories if you find you have too many files in a folder.

Clear your wall clutter. Does your room feel smaller than it actually is? Take a look at your walls. If they are completely covered, it’s time to clean them.

Keep your feet happy! Limiting your delivery runs will save time – and your feet! Create a box labeled “office” (our MATERIAL ORGANIZERS are perfect). Throughout the day, deposit all items you need to take there and deliver them once a day.

Keep your desk clean. If you have a desk, take a few moments at the end of every day to put everything away. It’s not an easy task, but one that will pay off when you come in the next day to a clean desk!

SCHEDULE, CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

Keep your routines clutter-free:
- Make every moment count. When students are working quietly, it’s a good time to catch up on your to-do list.
- Take silent roll call while engaging students in a review or introductory activity.
- Have designated spaces for homework and note collection so you don’t have to collect papers yourself.
- Have a system for students who need to excuse themselves so you can limit off-topic questions (i.e. have them stand beside the door until you give them the OK).
- Abide by your rules and consequences. Disciplining and arguments sap valuable teaching time. Consequences should be non-negotiable.

Use a timer. TIMERS are a great way to stay on task both in the classroom and at home. Try it!

Don’t clutter your lessons with busywork. Make every activity count. Make sure seatwork directly relates to the lesson at hand. Ask yourself if the activity is worth the time it takes to do it.

Set goals and stick to them. It’s more important to accomplish a few goals very well then to set many goals and leave them half-finished. Set year-long goals, but also set daily ones and prioritize them. You may need to alter your lesson plans in order to accomplish your priorities.

Foster independence in your students. Assigning students specific tasks will reduce clutter in your schedule and will instill in them a sense of responsibility.

Don’t bite off more than you can chew. When people clamor for your time, learn to say no. Don’t take on a new activity unless you can drop one. When you cannot avoid saying yes, include a caveat to your agreement: “Yes, but I only have an hour to give,” or “This week’s really busy for me, how about next week?”

MIND

Remembering all you have to do in a day, both in and outside of school, is sometimes your hardest task. Here are a few tricks to help you remember things:

Use repetition. When greeting new students or when meeting someone new, use the person’s name immediately and repeat it a few times during conversation.

Use calendar reminders. Microsoft® Outlook® is a great way to keep track of birthdays, appointments and events. Enter the information once and set your computer to give you a reminder.

Break it down into manageable chunks. If you’re completing a task, focus on one thing at a time. If you’re learning something new, break it into smaller chunks to make the information easier to retain.

Make lists. Add to them as you think of something. This works well for planning big events like field trips, as well as doing daily tasks.

Send a message to yourself. Leaving yourself an e-mail or answering-machine message is a great way to remind yourself of things you need to take care of.

Keep a notepad by the phone. Record all information, including the date of the call, so you don’t have to play the message back later.

Get a good night’s sleep.

Eat breakfast. It’s the most important meal of the day!

Take a little time for yourself every day.

HOT TIP: When clearing your room clutter, keep a tablet (or organizer) on hand. Examining your supplies can trigger many thoughts! Jot down supplies you need, things you need to do, new ideas or simply projects you may have forgotten about.

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