Cheap Organizing Ideas

[km693]

Hi! I just transferred from a Christian school where I got reimbursed for supplies to a public school where reimbursement seems unlikely. I need to create an organizing system so my kids can access their own pencils, crayons, papers etc. for their study group. Does anyone know how I can do this without spending a fortune at the container store? I know you veteran teachers have many tricks up your sleeves!

[rialeigh]

I've used plastic containers like frosting cans to hold pencils, scissors, etc. I've also seen plastic baby wipe containers used for lots of storage and organization. Plastic coffee cans work well too. I've also found lots of baskets, etc at the dollar store that have been very handy for books and folders.

[MissLindy]

The dollar store has been a lifesaver for me! Some of things that I have bought there have been baskets, but I also have used other items for organizational tools. Here are some of my examples:

Ice Cube Trays - I use those for sorting items for math or for dividing craft items up for any type of art project we use. They are usually in 2 packs too.

Plastic Shoe Organizers (the ones that hang from a door). I have used these before and have purchased one for each table and have hung them up in various parts of the room. Each pocket is then labeled - pencils, scissors, glue, rulers, ect. I can roll up the papers that I will be using for the class and put them into their own pocket too. Then you can have jobs for students to retrieve the needed items from their organizers depending on what you are using that day.

Yogurt cups are GREAT to pour paint into, especially if you are just going to throw is away when you are finished. I use Q-tips often! I use them as paint brushes, the students dip them in glue paint glue on (that way you really only have to open up 1 bottle of glue, pour onto a paper plate at each table and it is not as messy).

I hope this helps!

[MrsR]

Like MissLindy said, the dollar store is amazing!! I have used containers from there that seem like they would be perfect for you. Each container has a handle with 6 compartments each...perfect for pencils, scissors, crayons, etc. Be sure to check several dollar stores, they all seem to have different things!

[peaches2u]

Seat sacks or chair pockets most call denim chair backs are the absolute best and the best company that has them is Tapestryandroses qtm. She sells them on ebay and is having a labor day sale I hear. Write and ask her for one of her catalogs. She is wonderful and they are so well made!

[javamomma]

Pringles cans will hold pencils, glue sticks, and scissors!

If you decide on an item let parents know, you will have plenty in no time.

[joanna123]

I 've been drinking Crstal Light all summer and I kept looking at the containers thinking, "I know I can use them for something at school." They are a great size and have a very sturdy reusable lid. So I saved as many as I could. I hot glued them together and made the coolest organizer. You tip it on its side so all the openings are facing you. You could make it as big as you wanted to~ You can keep new pencils, scissors, pens etc..... I also like to cover each canister with scrapbook paper. I also made one to keep my popsicle sticks with kids' names in. I am always losing them. Have fun!

Another friend just brought me a babyfood container. It's a new kind (my kids are 18 an 21!) made of plastic with a little lid. She keeps dice for math games in them. The dice don't fly around or make noise.:)

[Ms.Bunny]

All of the members are soooo right there are many ways to help you out. reusing can or container is great. i always save y yogert and penut cans jus in case. i use them for art projects as well as storage. The dollor store is amazing. the often sale containers and buckets for like 2 or three for a dollar. Good luck!

[Barbara Dyer]

Perhaps you could ask the parents to provide a zippered container for their child ~ less spilling and the children are responsible for their own supplies.
Good luck

[mkcornflower]

Cans of all shapes and sizes work great for all different things..and they make a great art project too! Construction paper, glue, crayons, etc, and have the kids cover and decorate their own cans. Have a shelf to keep them all on and they can get their own can when its time to use those items. Also, I don't know where your from, but besides relying on the parents only, if you need something, there is a group that you can request things that you need and more than likely someone will have it...free. Its a yahoo group called freecycle. I think its freecycle.org, but you can probably search yahoo groups and see if they have one in your area. It's been a lifesaver for me. People post things to give away and if they need something, they post a wanted. You give and get everything for free and I've seen several people that give away baby food jars, wipe boxes..things that most people would think was trash, but make great storage containers and craft items for kids.
Have fun and good luck!

[Zookeeper]

Ask parents for a plastic shoebox container to hold items - put it on the supply list for the year. Dollar stores are wonderful!!
I've also used the shoebag over the doors of my cupboards and labeled for all items.

[ginger11]

I use Q-tips often! I use them as paint brushes, the students dip them in glue paint glue on (that way you really only have to open up 1 bottle of glue, pour onto a paper plate at each table and it is not as messy).

What grade do you use this idea for?

[Chef Dave]

Ask for empty boxes at a supermarket. Heavy duty boxes are very useful for storing things and the ugly cardboard exteriors can always be covered with colored butcher paper.

When I was an elementary teacher, I used these boxes to store group supplies. Each box contained paper, rulers, glue, safety scissors, and cans of crayons and pencils. I also went to the Office Depot to pick up a file box. I put color coded manila folders in the file box. Each student had a plain folder that was used for on-going work. Each student also had a blue folder that was used to store student writing projects.

Here are some additional ideas:

Visit your school cafeteria and ask the kitchen manager if you may have some plastic crates. A lot of food service suppliers provide milk in heavy duty plastic crates which are stackable. School cafeterias often have a stack of these crates which aren't being used. Some managers are insistent about returning these crates to the food supplier but others are not so picky.

If you go to the dollar store, get some stackable plastic bins. They're very useful for arts and crafts, storage of manipulatives, and/or toys.