Innovative Tips and Tricks for Classroom Organization

In the classroom, making every corner and square inch count is a challenge that requires creative solutions. Before you learn new names and faces, you can streamline your space in innovative ways for another year of meaningful learning.

As you look for clever, budget-friendly ways to minimize clutter and keep daily materials within reach, check out our favorite classroom organization tips and creative teacher strategies.

Use Color Creatively

A splash of color can bring joy to a learning space and add a new level of visual organization. Consider color coding subject bins, folders and notebooks to streamline everyday learning. Whether you implement color-coordinated art supplies or create a color-coded library to make it easier for students to return items to where they belong, using this organization method is a game changer for everyone!

Upcycle and Repurpose Materials

Show off the versatility of everyday objects in your classroom. From using salt and pepper shakers for glitter to turning milk crates into instant cubbies or bookshelves, upcycling everyday materials and repurposing items for DIY storage solutions can help minimize the clutter and make your classroom more functional.

Designate Specific Classroom Spaces

Set up a designated area where students can turn in assignments, pick up missed work and obtain extra copies of important forms. This helps prevent paperwork from piling up on your desk and teaches students responsibility for their work. Whether you implement learning zones, reading nooks or homework stations, designating specific spaces in your classroom helps to support an organized learning environment.

Level Up Your Labels

Find what you need sooner! By using clear labels throughout your classroom, both you and your students will have an easier time navigating the space. Labels keep everything organized and help incorporate your own personalization.

Find New Desk Inspiration

Do you live by your school calendar? Reimagining your desk organization can help you start each day with a clean slate and manage your busy schedule. To keep your desktop tidy, consider using a budget-friendly makeup caddy as a storage solution!

Post-it^® Notes, created by National Inventors Hall of Fame^® Inductees Arthur Fry and Spencer Silver, are a teacher favorite, whether you’re creating your classroom seating game plan or need to keep your daily to-do list visible. A classroom job chart is a great use of Post-it Notes, allowing flexibility for them to change every week or month.

Create a Substitute Binder or Bin

Organization is the foundation of preparedness. Create a go-to substitute bin or folder that provides preplanned lessons for your students to keep the flow of learning going in your classroom. We recommend including a daily schedule, class roster, seating chart and behavior plan. Your substitute will look at you like a hero.

Get Students Involved

Invite students to help level up your classroom organization. When everyone has a shared responsibility to keep the classroom tidy, students develop a sense of ownership over the space and are more likely to keep their individual workspaces organized. We also recommend assigning rotating student jobs like "Library Helper,” “Paper Collector” or “Chair Stacker." Establishing effective classroom management sets an amazing example for your students as they learn the benefits of organization along with other life skills like time management.

Keep Growing and Learning

From book bins to DIY shelves and labels, organization is key to running a classroom with structure, routine and focused learning. Keep exploring our blog for more innovative ideas to use in your classroom.