Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Organizing a Resource Room

I'm new to the blogging world, so I thought I would start with an area I'm very familiar with!  I've been a resource room teacher for the past 7 years.  Teachers who visit my room almost always comment on how organized it is.  Substitutes also leave comments about how organized everything is and how easy it was for them to figure out what to do!

Here are some tips for organizing your room:

1.  Keep a separate folder for each group.  I just use basic pocket folders.  You can get packages of 10 for a dollar at Target during back-to-school time. Make sure each folder is labeled with the group name and time.  For example: 5th Grade Math 1:00 - 1:30

2.  Keep any copied paperwork for students in that folder along with incentive charts, etc.

3. Label bins or areas on a shelf to keep materials. Have a separate area or bin for each group.  So your 5th grade math group will have workbooks, teacher guides, spiral notebooks, the group folder, etc.  Stack them neatly on the shelf or place them neatly in a bin.

4. Separate reading, math, and writing programs, games, manipulatives, etc. and store them either on separate bookcases, or put all the reading materials on 2 shelves and math on the other two (you get the idea!)

5.  Do the same thing in your closet or the area where you keep your personal references and materials (I have tons of Minute Math books, Daily Language Review books, etc. that I copy from.)  It's much easier to find the items you need if they are separated by subject area.

6. Keep markers, crayons, glue, scissors, highlighters, and anything else you may need for a lesson in each teaching area.  I use plastic pencil boxes to store them in (you can get them for under a dollar during back-to-school time.)  You are working with students with a variety of diabilities and behavior problems -getting up and looking for supplies is a sure way for your group to go wild!

7. Keep pencils, erasers, and pens in an easily accessible container.  I use a round desktop organizer that has 2 areas to keep pens and pencils standing upright and that has drawers to keep paperclips, etc.  I do not leave this sitting on the table, I keep it back in my area and pass out pencils when needed (otherwise students play with the pencils, container, etc. instead of listening!)

8.  Keep lesson plans and a list of students in each group at each teaching area.  Make sure that you put student's general ed teachers and their phone extensions next to each student name.  It will save you (or a sub) time when you need to track no show students down!

These are just some general ideas.  Here's a freebie to help you get started! These are owl themed folder and bin labels.  There are 3 different designs (1 for reading, 1 for math, and 1 for writing.)  You can print on Avery labels or print on cardstock and laminate.  Happy Organizing!  Click on picture for link.

Labels created using artwork by Trina Clark.  Check out her website: digiscrapkit.com