You know that old saying, right? “A place for everything, and everything in its place?”
I kept hearing that as I worked in my room yesterday. Boy, oh boy. It was a disaster! I knew something had to be done. It wasn’t even a work day, but I went in with one goal in mind.
ORGANIZE!!!
This is the counter behind my reading table.
A lot of times it ends up being the put-it-here-because-I-don’t-know-what-to-do-with-it counter/bookshelf. Everything in a red pouch is for math intervention and I also had these piles over there:
What is in those piles, you ask? WHO KNOWS. That is why they had to go. Somewhere. Anywhere. Maybe even ~gasp~ the trash circular file that sits on the floor next to my reading table.
This was on that counter too, you know.
Except for the unpainted salt dough map. That wasn’t on my counter. BUT THE REST WAS.
As you can imagine, every day I would look at that giant mess and think terrible, terrible thoughts about a giant sweeping arm motion and a LARGE trash can. But, luckily, winter break rolled around, and I started to get my wits about me again.
So, I buckled down. I mean no Facebook, no Pinterest, no email, no TpT, no blog-stalking.
BUCKLED. DOWN.
If it was trash, away it went. If it belonged in a binder or folder, by golly it went in the right one. If it needed a bucket for organization, I grabbed an old one and re-purposed it.
No pile was left unturned. And this is what happened:
Clean counter part 1. No messy piles. No unwanted papers or books or JUNK. Reading group materials organized.
Clean counter part 2. Math intervention organized. Old papers tossed. Stuffed animals still looking on.
People, I felt GOOD. I felt so good I even tackled a bookshelf in some serious need. Did I take a picture? NO. But I promise you, the bookshelf looks great too and I feel like I could actually find something on it!
Just for fun, I took a picture of this little gem too. Because I still love it. Every day I love it.
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| One little bit of organization in an otherwise chaotic world! |
Now, the key will be to KEEP it this way. On that note…
The Clutter-Free Classroom is starting the Clutter-Free Classroom Project for 2013. This sounds like the perfect way to get organized a bit at a time and have help from everyone else who’s trying to get organized too! Head over to Clutter-Free Classroom to check out the details and how to participate.
Happy Friday!
The circular file…I love it!! Doesn't it feel great to clean and organize? Looks like someone else uses Do the Math.
Young Daze in 5th Grade
OH my gosh – I am so jealous! We can't get back into our rooms until the 1st day back (Monday) and it's a "work day", a.k.a a sit in meetings for most of the day & no time to get stuff done day. But, I have got to do some organizing!! Your room looks awesome ! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Kelly
First Grade Fairytales
This is what I'm doing Monday during our work day!!!! I can't wait. It feels so good to get organized. Your room looks great!
Megan
I Teach. What's Your Super Power?
Mrs. Young…it felt great! I hope I can keep it rolling! And yep, that's Do The Math…red pockets gave it away, huh? 😉 Have a great day!
Nichole
Oh no! I never understand why some buildings won't let their teachers in over breaks! I hope you can find some time on Monday! Thanks for stopping by!
Nichole
Thanks, Megan! Have fun organizing! Post some pics so we can all see and by inspired! 🙂
Nichole
Your classroom is looking good. 🙂 I need to do a classroom organization overhaul, too! Guess I should head over to the clutter free classroom….Lattes and Laughter
Thanks Julia! We can all get organized together…I will definitely need a support group. LOL
Nichole