Mission Organization: 21 Ideas on Organizing Your Teacher Area

As you know from last week's post,  I have started a series this summer for all the areas of organizing your classroom. WOW!  There is some amazing stuff out there! I am having fun looking at all the pretty pictures of your rooms.

I really wanted to round up posts just like some of my favorite crafty blogs like Tatertots and Jello.  I completely trust the author of the blog, Jen, to bring me some simple and fun crafts & decorating ideas.  After pinterest, her blog is one of my go-to sources.  So, I thought I'd do the same for you.

This week, we are sharing ideas on organizing your teacher area.  Whoop!

Do you have a traditional teacher desk? In my first year of teaching, back in 2000 (wow-some of you were probably in elementary school as students-ha), my principal wouldn't allow a teacher desk.  He said I would probably never sit down during the day unless I'm working with students so it was just taking up space. I looked at him like he was cRaZy! However, I have to say--I wholeheartedly agree with this wonderful principal!!  I used my kidney table as my work area.  It was perfect.  And after looking at a TON of pictures from you amazing teachers, it looks like many of you have done away with the desk.  NOW, I will say that I did have a desk when I moved to another school but it was only for storage.  Period.  I never worked there.  I like to spread all my material out!  This girl needs her space.

So here are 21 ideas for your teacher area:  Enjoy!  If you hop over to another teacher's blog...leave them a comment...we all love knowing there aren't just crickets out there.

(P.S.  This week, I'm doing something a little different.  I'm not putting the images in a collage but listing them individually.  I just like seeing the images big and beautiful.) I'd love to know if you prefer it one way.

In no particular order:
{link is right under the image}

 1. Using the kidney table and those fabulous milk crates from Kindergarten Khronicles

2. Using a cabinet for storage from Third Grade Thinkers

3.  A little DIY Project for your supplies from Pre-KPages

4.  Covering your teacher desk with fabric from First Grade Glitter and Giggles

5.  Have a chandelier displaying cards or other important notes over your desk from The Cornerstone for Teachers

6.  Chair pockets ready to go for students when they come to meet with you from Simplify and Teach

7.  Storage behind teacher desk from The Resourceful Room

8.  L-shaped desk from One-Extra Degree

9. Team Teaching desks and file boxes on top of desk from A Day in the Life of a Classroom Teacher

10. Label, Label, Label from The Creative Chalkboard

11.  Small desk adjacent to teacher desk for projector from Life in First Grade

12.  Small trapezoid table instead of teacher desk or kidney table from Emily Stuff

13. Labeling all the small drawers from Ladybug Teacher Files

14. Keeping frequently used worksheets close by from Adventures in Teaching

15. Idea for a built in desk from The Teacher Diva

16. close up of labels for supplies from The Teacher Diva 

17.  Putting important papers in binders from The Autism Helper

18.  Putting the projector on the teacher desk from What Happens in 2nd Grade

19. Using stackable drawers behind teacher desk and a rolling cart from Teaming Up to Teach

20.  Having a refrigerator behind teacher desk from Controlling My Chaos

21.  Using furniture from IKEA from Falling into First


Do you have a post on teacher areas?  Share the link in the comments below.  I'd love to share more ideas!

Have a great week!
Don't forget to enter the giveaway {which is worth $100!!!}

~April

Supply Giveaway Time!!

Are you a Classroom Supply Addict?  Or as my friend, Ashley, calls herself "The School Supply Addict?" I like to call my little habit of finding new supplies and collecting them: "Organized Hoarder." :)

Last year I had the opportunity to do a website review for MPM Supplies.  They have such a fabulous site.  Have you heard or ever ordered anything from them?  I hope so! I got some chart paper and markers and it just made my heart skip beats when it came in the mail.  I know, aren't we crazy??!!

Well, guess what?
Not only is MPM Supplies offering 10% off orders using this link HERE but they are also giving away a $50 GIFT CARD to one winner!!  Ya-baby!  The discount is only available for one week so you can either shop now or wait until next week, find out if you are the winner, and you have 2 days to use the code and your gift card.

What supplies are on your list this summer?
Chart paper?
Sticky notes?
Dry erase markers?
Stickers?

Or maybe these fun pens to make your Teacher Planner more colorful?

In addition to this gift card, I've decided to also give away a $50 VISA gift card so you can go to your local copy store to print out a Teacher Planner and have it bound (or you can use it for whatever :).

There will be one winner.  Enter through Rafflecopter below.
Contest starts today Friday, June 14th and will run through next Wednesday, midnight Central Time, June 19th.  Winner will be announced on Thursday morning, June 20th.

What supplies do you need?  Good luck!!!
~April
  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mission Organization: 21 Ideas to Organize Your Classroom Library

This summer I'm going to start a new series here called Mission Organization: Teacher Style.  My hope is to bring you some inspiring ideas all in one place.  Pin on Pinterest  and refer back to these amazing classrooms when it is time to think about YOUR classroom.

My inspiration came from some of my favorite crafty bloggers.  I know I LOVE when they do a round-up of ideas like this post HERE from Tatertots and Jello or this post HERE from Everything Etsy.

1. Just Another Day
2. Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits
3. Mrs. Moorman's Class
4. Highlighting Authors from Mrs. Bond's Fantastic First Grade

5. First Grade Fresh
6. Lucky Frog's Lilypad
7. Paint Stirrers to separate books Run!Miss Nelson Has The Camera
8. Free Labels for Themes from Kindergarten Works

9. What Happens in 2nd Grade
10. Kinder-Craze
11. First Grade Spies
12. 2nd Grade Shenanigans

13. Que Marropa
14. PreK Pages
15. Ms. Fultz's Corner
16. Love, Hugs, and Ladybugs

17. One Teacher's Take
18. Eloise Nay
19. Joyful Learning in KC
20. Freebie--Growing Firsties
21. Lesley Carter

And one more from Making Centers Work.

Do you have an organizational tip or post for classroom libraries?  I'd love for you to share in the comments.

Happy Organizing!
April

Happy Summer 2013!

My son has already asked me, "What are we going to do today?"  and it is only the third day of summer break.  I know I need a plan...FAST!

To ease his mind {and mine}, I made this printable for summer plans that I would LOVE to share with you. Whether you are a teacher, mommy, or both, I think you could have fun with this.  

Our days will consist of library days, water days, craft days, cleaning days, and playdates but I made this printable blank so you can fill  in your days.

I bought the frame at Hobby Lobby, put the printable in, and DONE.  (this printable fits an 8x10 frame but you could put it in a smaller frame too)  Now, I have a place to write what is going on and bring in some color to our room.

I would love to hear what you plan on doing.  You could join our Summer Bucket List Linky Party or leave a comment below.

I hope you have a very fun summer!

~April

Papers Galore? No problem! Organize it!

Allright-how many papers are put in your hand in one day?  Be honest.  Oh maybe just a gazillion. Right?!  My gosh, teachers have so much paperwork. I remember (many, many moons ago) one of my mentor teachers gave me some great advice.  If something is in your hands, put it away..put it where it goes.  Right then.  Don't stop.  Great advice-right?  What about if you don't know where it should go? I remember walking around forever with something in my hand, not knowing where it should go and then BAM.
On my desk.
Problem Solved.  Ha!!
So, I created a little organizer to help you with all those papers and information you are collecting.  In hopefully, what you think are some really fun designs.  If it makes you smile just a little bit more, why not make it fun? Go on with your organizing self! Make your life a little easier.

Here are some pictures of the Teacher's Classroom Organizer:

In bright colors...

In black and white colors:

There are over 35 printables/charts to help you stay organized with your class, parents, and support personnel (volunteers, staff, substitute).

There are over 30 covers ready to go.  Plus a blank cover is also included for you to either write on or edit in Power Point.

Yes, the Classroom Organizer is editable in Power Point.  You can choose to print out the PDF file and write or you can type in fields in the document in Power Point.

PLUS, the Teacher's Classroom Organizer comes in all 6 designs to match the Teacher Planners.  Wahoo!!  I am just so excited to share with you I can't stand it!

For pages and titles of covers, please check out the previews in my store. Tons of information is given in the product description and the downloadable preview.

Right now (June 3, 2013) I have uploaded the
Teacher's Classroom Organizer {Chevron Chic}

Teacher's Classroom Organizer {Who Has It Together?}

Teacher's Classroom Organizer {Happy Day!}

Teacher's Classroom Organizer {Black and White Damask}

Teacher's Classroom Organizer {A Shade of Grey}

Teacher's Classroom Organizer {Chalk It Up!}


So, is this something you think you could use? Stay tuned for some summer fun. I can't wait!!

~April

Everybody Here?

Oh ya!  A little freebie coming to you today!  As you could probably guess from my Facebook post yesterday, I am SO excited to share with you my next big project.  I think it is going to help you out tremendously.  Well, that is the goal!

AND IT IS OUT!!!  Tremendously excited to share with you the Teacher's Classroom Organizer.  There are 6 different designs to choose from.  A perfect match to the Teacher and Lesson Planners.

For more information, please check out THIS POST.  Right now, the Teacher's Classroom Organizer-Chevron Chic and the Teacher's Classroom Organizer-Who Has It Together? have been uploaded.  I will be uploading the rest in the next 2 days (June 3, 2013 and June 4, 2013).

And now, how about a freebie??!

Everyone could use an Attendance Sheet-right?  Let me tell you, I've always done attendance online but then someone mentioned to me that their school server crashed and days were lost and nobody knew who was absent when.  Technology.  Gotta love it :)

Here is a little freebie to wash away that concern.  With having it written down, no worries about computer malfunctions!

Right now you can get the Attendance Page in either Chevron Chic or Happy Day! All designs of the Teacher Planners will be uploaded soon.

Hope you can use it!  Just in case.  You never know.  Do you take attendance online or do you write it out?

I'm linking up with Maniac Monday!

SUMMER BUCKET LIST 2013!!!!

We are having a party today!  It is our 2nd Annual Summer Bucket List Linky Party.  Miss Kindergarten, Cupcake, and I had so much fun last year, that we thought we'd do it again.  Thanks to PINTEREST, there are plenty of projects to be done!  What will you be up to?  Can't wait to read yours :)

Mine?

1 Mom, 9 Aunts, 2+ Kids {and a Partridge in a Pear Tree}

Happy Mother's Day!  To all you moms out there who work day in and day out at this whole "mom thing": I hope you have a wonderful day!

Today I thought  I would share some very special ladies in my life.  I am extremely blessed to have my mom in my life.  She is a strong woman with a passion for Christ and creating all sorts of things with her amazing talent of sewing (she sewed my wedding dress, to name just one thing) and crocheting/knitting. She loves to read and loves her grandchildren.

Who Do We Appreciate?

love this graphic from The School Supply Addict!

Monday morning and it is on!  Teacher Appreciation Week that is!  I appreciate each one of you. Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!  I especially know your kids do.  It might not always seem like they do but they do.

To celebrate, I am having a HUGE SALE on Teachers Pay Teachers.  I want to participate fully in the sale so all of my resources will be 20% off starting today.  Yup.  Today.  The sale will last 3 days.  In addition, if you want an extra 8% off, Teachers Pay Teachers will have an additional percentage off with the code: TAD13 starting tomorrow, Tuesday, May 7th and ending May 8th.

I thought it would be fun to join a couple of parties so I am linking up with Stephanie from Falling into First and Christina from Bunting, Books, and Bainbridge.  So fun!

First Party Stop:

I know you are thinking about next year--face it :)  You want to get some things in your file ready so in June you don't have to worry about it (as much).  Well, I have come out with some tools to help you with that:

6 different Teacher Planners to choose from:

Choose from those with Bright Covers:
Happy Day!
Chevron Chic
Who Has It Together?

Or Black and White and Grey Covers:
Chalk It Up!
A Shade of Grey
Black and White Damask

And Student Planners for K-3rd Grade:
Kinder
First
Second
Third