Best Classroom Hacks You Can Use Tomorrow

I love when I figure out a clever way to implement an idea, probably way more than I should, but I can't help it.  Classroom Hacks make me so dang happy because they're efficient and make sense.  Efficiency makes me giddy and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one, right!  I love clever tricks to help with management and organization. Anything to make my life easier!
 I want to share some of my classroom  hacks that you can use tomorrow in your classroom.

I have very high ceilings this year so I can't hang table point signs from the ceiling.  This year, I bought place card holders (like you see at weddings) and made cute table point signs.  Yes, I have 5 tables that are vowels!  When kiddos are being awesome, they get a table point. Super easy because they know to come grab a clothespin and clip it.  It's also a great visual if kiddos are being too chatty and you need to take a point away.  I've found this system is so much more powerful than tallying table points on the whiteboard.  Try it and let me know how much you love it!

Sit Spots are THE best because they give kiddos personal space and there is no more friends sitting in the wrong spot.  Since I don't have carpet this year, I'm using my sit spots in sitting areas like this one, our listening center.  I don't want to hear kiddos argue about where they sit, so I plop these down and have eliminated a potential problem.  Time saver and super cute!

Over the years, I've organized my center area a bazillioin gazillion ways and this is what works best, I promise!  The clear boxes on the left are our "may-do" centers.  Kiddos take the box to their seat and work on it independently.  No more lost items or kiddos asking, "I'm through, what to do?"  I stock this area with games and activities from this pack!  Want to know more?  Click here to learn about how I run literacy workshop.

This has truly kept me sane.  During my 3rd year of teaching, I was blessed with a copy mom.  Week-after-week, I would put post-its with directions on everything that need to be copied.  It finally dawned on me that I was writing the same thing, every week!  So, I started using clothes pins to write my instructions.  I just clip them to the papers that need to be copied and we're good to go.  6 years later, I haven't looked back!

I saw this idea last year on Instagram and knew I had to make it work in my class.  When friends turn their work in, they find their file folder with their number and simply place their work inside.  Now, if a kiddo forgets their name, because they always do, I know who it belongs to!  Plus, it makes filing papers in cubbies so much easier!

Speaking of cubbies, I sold mine a few years ago when I moved to Hawaii.  Last year, I bought a shoe organizer and it has worked perfectly.  

Kids need responsibility.  My class is well-run because everyone has a place and a job to do.  This easy chart lists jobs with a stick with each kiddos' photo and student number.  Jobs are changed weekly!

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I don't have time to pass out 5 different sets of Word Study words.  These magnetic pockets from Lakeshore have been a lifesaver.  I just place the work inside and students come find their folder and grab their work!

No more messy libraries, I promise!  Learn how to level your library here.

I've talked about creating these here for you.

I hope these ideas can help you get organized.  I'd love to hear your favorite organizing tips!

 Want more organization tips, click here!