One of my readers, Tracy, recently contacted me about where I put all my center activities when they aren’t in use. I get this question quite a bit, and I guess it’s interesting to find out how other people solve the problem of having ‘all that stuff.’
Yes, having all those resources on hand is a great problem to have, and the fact that you now have them printed, laminated and cut is fabulous, but where can you keep them so that next year this time, you can just grab and go? I don’t claim that what I do will work for everyone, but in my small room and with the storage and shelves I currently have, this is the best system for me.
Depending on the type of activity I need to store, I either use a simple rubber band or, the old stand-by, a ziplocbag. I like to use rubber bands because they are easier and flatter…
especially for larger flat items like these.
But when there are smaller pieces . . .
. . . a ziplocdoes the trick.
I also always make sure that I have the student ‘I can’ sheet with the activity to remind me how the game or activity is played.
These file storage bins are the perfect sized for my shelves.And for my lifestyle, I like the fact that I can grab them and take them home if I need to go through them after the boys are in bed and I’m doing some planning late at night.
I have probably around 25-30 of them in my room.Each labeled either by theme, or, for those items that are not dependent on theme, by skill.
See . . . Nothing really earth shattering, but a simple way that keeps me organized and my station activities readily available. The only thing I would change is to have them all the same kind and color . . . it is really bugging me that they don’t match but what can you do?.
UPDATE: For all you that absolutely HAD to have these labels. I went ahead and made up a freebie so that you can also get these. There are some made up labels and then an EDITABLE version as well. So go ahead and click the picture below to download your copy. And if you’re interested in the totes, they are available from Amazon by clicking HERE!
Hope this helps you guys get a glimpse at what works for me.
With nearly 20 years of experience as a full-time kindergarten teacher, I’m committed to creating a classroom where learning is joyful, engaging, challenging, and fun. Each day, I work to ensure that my students feel successful through instruction that considers their unique interests, learning profiles, and readiness levels. I believe that students should be excited to come to class and enjoy a myriad of hands-on activities that encourage exploration and discovery.
While I continue to teach full-time, I find so much joy in connecting and building friendships with teachers worldwide. It’s why I started this blog back in 2012. My hope has become a reality as I have been able to forge relationships with teachers, sharing ideas and building friendships beyond my little neck of the woods through professional development sessions and this blog.
So by all means, take some time to look around and explore A Differentiated Kindergarten. Gather some new ideas, fun tips, and most importantly, don’t forget to reach out and say, ‘Hi!’
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