Classroom Organization Ideas

Let’s get real. Being a teacher is hard. Especially these days! Y'all deserve all the credit in the world for everything you do—much of it ON YOUR OWN DIME! Rely on Big Lots to help you stock your classroom, and save BIG along the way. Here’s a checklist to help you stay organized and bring some calm to the crazy.

Color-Code by subject

Make it simple to find what you and your students need at a glance—and more importantly, for them to know where it goes when they’re finished.

Labels, labels, labels

Labels are lifesavers! Help your kids gain some independence and responsibility—even just a little bit. Label Everything!  
• Make them clearly visible (label all sides)
• Make them highly visual (include pictures; drawings; etc.)
• Make them BIG
• Write them BIG

Get creative with crates

Simply put, crates are great. They are a wonderfully creative option for storage, organization, and even extra seating in a pinch. They can be stacked to take advantage of vertical space (fasten securely!); nested to save space when not in use; even painted to add some visual verve to your room. They make great cubbies, too! The possibilities are only limited by imagination.

See clearly with clear bins

"Bin" wondering where all your stuff is? Using clear bins to keep everything organized is a great way to keep your stuff visible and your classroom user-friendly. The double whammy of clear bins with clearly written labels is some next-level Jedi mind trick stuff.

Get help!

Teaching your students respect for the classroom helps them have greater respect for learning—and for YOU. Teach your students to clean before every dismissal. Tackle it as a team. Make it a game. Whatever works.

Teaching is a big responsibility. And a big honor. The greatest thing you can do for your kids is to make your classroom an organized place where they can fulfill their greatest potential. And Big Lots is the greatest place to do that—and save big along the way!