...organize different items! Now, my role has changed a bit in the last few years, but I'm going to share some organizing things I did when I was teaching and then what I plan to do now that I have an office rather than a classroom.
A couple of years ago, I realized that my math supplies needed a MAJOR overhaul! We were changing math programs, so I was able to keep my old supplies, but I had received a lot of new manipulatives and materials to use with our new series. So what did I do? I took EVERYTHING out of my cabinets and began organizing by topic. It did not make any sense for me to have globes next to my place value mats. I know this sounds pretty obvious, but I had just started putting things in my cabinets when I started teaching because I didn't have much. After five years, I had really ramped up how much I had (as well as accumulating some supplies from a teacher who retired). It was time for some organizing. I took a day, went into school in workout clothes, turned up the tunes, grabbed a large Dr. Pepper on the way in, and got to work.
*Freak out mode started here...when I realized just how much stuff I had and it was all over my room!
**But I didn't give up. I was surprised at how many bins I already had after cleaning everything out. Although I really wanted to buy matchy matchy bins, I figured it was probably a waste of money. But, oh my, it was SO much easier to find everything and to remember what I actually had for each topic. It was all in one place, and if other people needed things, I felt MUCH better about opening my doors and being able to find it right away.
So now that I've been in my admin. position for a couple of years, I feel like I actually know what I need to access on a daily basis and how things should be organized for efficiency purposes. So, I'm starting with my files this summer! When I first started I would realize the need for a new file folder, make it, and shove it in front of the rest of my files. This summer, things will go from manilla to color coded, and from scrambled to alphabetized! I. can't. wait. This will make things so much easier, and will also help when I need to add files because I'll know where to put it.
** This is going to be an empty space, because my office needs a total makeover this summer! I'm not committing to anything staying the same other than the furniture. :)
*Here's a picture of all of the blogs participating in the Diggin' Into Next Year Linky! Head over to join in on the fun and see how everyone else is organizing, or reorganizing, next year!
