Clutter-free Week 3, The Purge

Last week was a very hectic week for me. I had PD at the county on Monday, a two hour delay that took my planning time, and two half records days working on grades. The grades were due in the office at 7:00 AM this morning, so needless to say I worked on them for several hours at home. 

I didn't have much time to declutter, but I did clean off my corner shelf and paper organizer. It felt great to purge some of the old curriculum materials. My students were pleased because many took home new binders that I had emptied. I also gave away two dozen VHS cases that used to hold game and math manipulatives. I purged those this summer since I don't teach math any more. They were repurposed into pencil boxes.The custodians hauled away three boxes full of recycling and two bags of trash. I used my labeler to put labels on everything, so students can help me stay organized. 

 I still have a lot to do, but it is a start. Thanks for inspiring me to purge, Jodi! If you need some motivation to rid yourself of clutter, join her challenge.

Week One of my Clutter-free Challenge

Thanks to Jodi at Clutter-free Classroom for helping us all get organized for the new year.

It's amazing how much you learn to ignore when you are forced to look at it all day. You begin to not see the piles of papers, things that need to be filed, and more importantly the things that were not put back in order. The following pictures were taken when I walked in last Tuesday morning. I knew I had not put some things away when I stopped during vacation, but didn't realize the janitors wouldn't be back to empty trash. It made things look even worse than I expected.

View from the door

I don't have a regular desk, but my computer desk is somewhere in behind the piles! The storage units hold all of the desk items. The paper sorter needs to be sorted and relabeled so students can put extra copies back. Too many papers on the bulletin board to the left, and the file cabinet needs work inside and out. It holds binders of blackline masters. There are things on top of the cabinets behind the desk that need to be put away. I need to do something with my rug. Duct tape isn't cutting it! The little bookshelf needs organized. Some of those things haven't been touched since September. Time to pitch it! 

The toner cartridge in the box needs to be recycled. The AR computers need organized. I need to remind students about reshelving library books to keep baskets neat. 

My library needs straightening, but it isn't too bad.  The top shelf on the other hand needs to be de-cluttered. I don't think I'll need the fans for a while, although it was fifty degrees on Friday!

The counter needs a little work. It is the only place for my Cricut (LOVE IT) and one of my iPads. The Senteo Response Clickers need a better home. The leveled readers in the little crates are still in baggies. Those need to go! The other crates (on top) are more leveled readers for guided reading.   

                                      

The display frames need changed out. The students want their pictures (flipped earlier to protect students' identities during a photography session) and their new art projects showing. 

The "Talk Show" area isn't bad but the sticker needs to  be removed from the storage unit. Magazine crate under chair needs sorted and the raggedy ones need to go. The stack unit by the door needs new labels for the various classes and subjects to encourage students to turn in completed work to the right place.

The bookcase in the corner holds the grade level copy of all curriculum and support materials, as I am lead teacher. I should find another location. The rest needs to be sorted, recycled, and purged. The snowman with "snow" needs to be packed up but has been almost our only snow! It was for our unit before break. Student cubbies need to be cleaned out. I saw one had papers from September in the bottom! Out of sight out of mind?

Notice I didn't show the insides of cabinets?  They really aren't too bad. I spent days organizing and purging before school started. They may not be so good when everything gets sorted and things I need to save need a home.

Any ideas or suggestions?

--Marcia

I Don't Own Stock but...

I don't own stock in Target, but probably should.  I used to joke that I cashed my paycheck there because I bought so much at Target. Now, I'm almost sure my pay is delivered directly to them electronically! I didn't realize how much of my classroom organizational items were bought there. It was so much more obvious as I took my pictures for the Clutter-free Classroom Project challenge.  My classroom library baskets (see previous post) and my light colored bookcases, bins for leveled readers, their storage crates, and the colored drawer unit were purchased there.

My all time favorite purchases were my student cubbies.  They are actually 2 sets of the 8 cube units from Target. I turned them on their side, and put them on wheels. (Built by me with our previous maintenance man watching!) The cloth bins are also from Target. It bothers me they don't match, but I couldn't get the light one any more when I added more last year. They are what you see as you enter my room. I don't like the fact they make the entrance congested, but it is a necessity for me.

When we departmentalized, I didn't want to use desks, but had no choice. I turned the desks backwards so students kept everything in the cubbies. It greatly reduced theft of personal items and kept the clutter out of sight. I had less interruptions when students forgot items needed in another class. They crept in, got their items, and quietly exited without interrupting my instruction. I seldom close my door, so they also act as a buffer for distractions from the hall.
How do you control your student supplies? Have ideas to help me as I challenge myself to become clutter-free?





Need to be Clutter-free?

The Clutter-free Classroom is starting a Clutter-free Challenge with daily posts, freebies and linky parties. This promises to be beneficial to all of us. Take a peek and join in the challenge. Click on the link to go to her fabulous blog.

Marcia

Clutter-free Classroom Clutter-free Challenge