teachersbrain Archives - Teacher's Brain

Classroom Organization Tips for the New School Year

May 31, 2024 teachersbrain Classroom Behavior Management, Classroom Decor

Summer is the perfect time for us teachers to relax and recharge, and we deserve it! However, it’s also a perfect time to get a head start on classroom organization for the upcoming school year.

I always say, a well-organized classroom not only creates a better learning environment, but it also sets a positive tone for teachers and students alike. An organized classroom is a happy one!

If you’re looking for some classroom organization hacks or classroom organization ideas, you’re in the right place! I’m sharing some practical and budget-friendly tips to help you get your classroom in tip-top shape before the new school year begins.

How can I organize my classroom better?

Declutter and Deep Clean

Start with a clean slate by decluttering your classroom. Go through all the materials, supplies, and decorations from the previous year. Decide what to keep, what to donate, and what to toss. But here’s the key: you have to be ruthless! If you haven’t used it in the past year, it’s probably time to let it go. Once you’ve decluttered, give your classroom a good cleaning. A clean, fresh space will make you feel more motivated and ready for the new school year.

Plan Your Layout

Think about the flow of your classroom and how you want it to function. Consider different areas you need: a reading nook, a group work area, a quiet corner for individual work, and a teacher’s desk. Arrange your furniture in a way that makes these areas accessible and functional. Don’t be afraid to move things around until you find the perfect layout! Remember, the goal is to create a space that is conducive to learning and easy to navigate for both you and your kiddos.

Label Everything

Labels are your best friend when it comes to organization. Label shelves, bins, and drawers so that everything has a designated spot. This not only helps you stay organized but also makes it easier for students to find and put away materials. Use clear, easy-to-read labels, and consider adding pictures for younger students. You can even get your students involved in the labeling process once school starts, which helps them feel ownership over the classroom space.

Utilize Vertical Space

When classroom space is limited, think vertically. Use wall space for storage and organization. Install shelves, hooks, and bulletin boards to keep supplies and materials off desks and floors. Hanging file organizers can be a great way to keep papers and assignments organized and easily accessible. Pegboards are another versatile option for hanging supplies, tools, and decorations.

Create a Supply Station

Set up a supply station where students can easily access materials they need for daily activities. Stock it with pencils, markers, scissors, glue, and other essentials. Having a designated supply area reduces interruptions and keeps your classroom running smoothly. Make sure to establish clear expectations for how and when students can use the supply station to maintain order and minimize chaos.

Organize Your Teacher’s Desk

Keeping your desk organized is crucial. Use desk organizers, trays, and drawers to keep everything in its place. Only keep essential items on your desk to avoid clutter. Make it a habit to tidy up your desk at the end of each day to maintain a clean and organized workspace.

Prepare Your Bulletin Boards

Bulletin boards are not only for displaying student work but also for organizing important information. Dedicate one bulletin board to classroom rules, schedules, and announcements. Another board can be used for showcasing student work and achievements. Change the displays regularly to keep the boards fresh and engaging. Using color-coded sections can also help make the information more accessible and visually appealing.

DIY Projects and Budget-Friendly Ideas for Classroom Organization

You don’t need to spend a fortune to organize your classroom, I promise! Get creative with DIY projects and repurpose items you already have. Use cereal boxes covered in colorful paper as magazine holders, or turn some shoeboxes into storage bins. Thrift stores and dollar stores can be goldmines for affordable organizing supplies.

After you have your classroom organization complete and ready to go, you get to have FUN decorating it!

This Black and White Classroom Decor Set has everything you need to get your classroom set up and ready to accept students in the fall. This classroom decor is a simple, yet classic Black and White-themed set! It goes with any decor you already have and you can edit it to add a pop of color or images!

classroom organization and decoration pack

What is in the download:

An Editable Calendar Set
Editable Daily Visual Schedule
Editable Classroom Jobs Set
An Alphabet Line (Print and Cursive)
Color Word Posters & Name Tags
Back to School Welcome Banners, Forms, Posters & Labels for Binders
Amazing Work POSTERS

Check it out now!

I hope these tips are helpful and that you have fun getting your classroom ready for the new school year!

If you want some more classroom ideas, check out my post here for some classroom decor tips!

3 Sweet and Thoughtful Mother’s Day Crafts for Kids

April 5, 2024 teachersbrain Craft Ideas

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to plan some special surprises with your students to celebrate the amazing moms or guardians in their lives. If you’re looking for Mother’s Day activities or some Mother’s Day crafts for kids in your classroom to create, you’re in the right place.

As teachers, we know how much effort and love our students put into making these Mother’s Day gifts, so I’m sharing three simple yet thoughtful Mother’s Day gift ideas that your students can make this Mother’s Day.

1. Handmade Cards Bursting with Love:

One of the simplest yet most heartfelt gifts your students can create is a handmade card. Encourage them to let their creativity flow! Provide them with colorful construction paper, markers, stickers, and any other craft supplies you have on hand.

Guide them to write a sweet message inside, expressing their love and gratitude for their moms. It could be as simple as “Mom, you’re the best because…” or “Thank you for always being there for me when…”

Encourage them to draw pictures or add little designs that represent their bond with their moms. It could be a drawing of them together, a heart filled with reasons why they love their mom, or even a collage of happy memories.

2. Personalized Photo Frames:

Another wonderful idea is to help your students create personalized photo frames for their moms. You can start with simple cardboard or wooden frames, which you can easily find at any craft store or even make yourself!

Let your students decorate the frames using paint, glitter, buttons, ribbons, or anything else you have available in your classroom. Encourage them to get creative and make each frame as unique as their relationship with their mom.

Once the frames are decorated and dried, help your students print out a special photo of them with their mom. It could be a recent one or a cherished memory from the past. Insert the photo into the frame, and voila! They’ve got a lovely keepsake that their moms will treasure forever.

3. Coupon Book of Acts of Kindness:

For something a bit different, why not have your students create a coupon book filled with acts of kindness that they can do for their moms? This is a thoughtful way for them to show their appreciation and give back to their moms.

Provide them with strips of paper or pre-made templates where they can write down different acts of kindness, such as “Breakfast in bed,” “One free hug,” “Help with chores,” “Movie night of your choice,” or “A day of pampering.”

Encourage your students to think about what their moms would truly appreciate and enjoy. Once they’ve written down their coupons, they can decorate the booklet and present it to their moms on Mother’s Day. It’s a gift that keeps on giving, as their moms can redeem the coupons whenever they need a little extra love and help.

Remember, the most important thing is not the intricacy of the gift, but the love and effort that goes into making it.

Looking for some ready-made Mother’s Day craft ideas that your students can make? I have you covered! Check out these Mother’s Day resources.

Mother’s Day Flower Card Craft

Are you looking for a way to show moms how much you love them? Try these printables to create 3D flowers as a card, craft, or wall display to accompany opinion writing! They make great art centers, small group activities, and bulletin boards!

Mother’s Day Tea Lapbook Craft

Looking for something fun and original to do with your students for Mother’s Day? I always like to have a Mother’s Day Tea, but you can do this just as a great gift to send home also. This lap book is sure to make mom feel special!

Digital Mother’s Day Cards

Are you looking for some easy-to-create digital Mother’s Day cards for your students to do at a distance? I have you covered with these 10 Google slides! Just use the edit boxes to add your own text, add an image of mom, and print to give to mom or a caregiver.

These simple yet thoughtful gifts will surely bring smiles to the faces of your students’ moms and warm their hearts on Mother’s Day. So let’s get crafting and celebrate the incredible moms in our lives!

Happy Mother’s Day! 🌸💖

Looking for more Mother’s Day crafts? Check out my post here!

4 Engaging Brain Break Activities Your Students Will Love

December 8, 2023 teachersbrain Classroom Behavior Management, Teacher's Pay Teachers, Teaching Tips, Winter

Wondering if you should be adding in more brain breaks to your days with your students?

Think of brain breaks as super important timeouts for our little ones in elementary school. They’re not just about taking a break – they’re like power-ups for our students!

These short breaks do more than give a breather from lessons; they actually help our kids think better, feel happier, and make the whole classroom experience way more awesome.

In elementary, every day is a mix of excitement and learning, throwing in brain breaks is like adding a secret ingredient to help our little learners grow and have a blast.

What is a brain break?

Brain Breaks are short activities that help energize your students. They last about 1 to 5 minutes. They require no or little prep and help send oxygen to the brain to help students retain information.

Looking for brain break activities? I have you covered!

There are many things you can do like getting some physical activity, watching a short video on YouTube, taking a dance break, playing a game, or making a craft. One of my favorite brain break activities is coloring!

If you are looking for some high-quality coloring sheets that will keep your students occupied, these are perfect for you.

Dinosaur Coloring Pages

These dino coloring pages make great discussion starters and writing prompts!

Unicorn Coloring Pages

These unicorn coloring pages are the perfect magical break from learning.

Winter Coloring Pages

These help keep students and you calm and make great wall decorations!

For even more brain break fun, you can check out this brain break activity resource!

This is my favorite collection of 48 different Brain Breaks. These task cards can be used as transitions, breaks during an activity, something to raise or lower the energy of the group, team-building activities, and so much more!

What’s included?

• 48 Printable Task Cards in Black and White (4 per page) PDF

• 48 Printable Task Cards in Color (4 per page) PDF

• 48 Printable 8×10 Cards in Color (1 per page) PDF

• 48 Goofle Slides in Color for Digital Displays or Sharing at a Distance

• 2 Editable Slides to Create Your Own Brain Breaks (Google link digital option provided in the PDF)

Place them on a ring, on popsicle sticks, or in a crayon box for easy storage!

Use the Google Slides in presentation mode to randomly pick a brain break.
Looking for more classroom management tips, check out my post here!

School Holiday Door Decorating for Christmas Ideas

December 8, 2020 teachersbrain Classroom Decor, Craft Ideas, Teacher's Pay Teachers, Teaching Tips

Our school asked us to decorate our door every year for the holidays. For teachers, the holidays is not the time to usually ask us to do “extra” projects even if we enjoy the task. It does make the school look festive though. To make it a little fun, the administration usually makes it into a contest so we can win gift cards for holiday shopping. Here are a few holiday door decoration ideas!

Holiday Door and Display Decorations

Christmas Bulletin Board — by The Homeschool Style – Katie Ring

Let it Snow Door Decoration — by Teacher’s Brain – Cindy Martin

Christmas Decoration Bulletin Board — by Allie P’s Practical Preschool

Snoopy Door Decoration — By Tammy Cleghorn “The kids loved that the lights actually lit up!”

Elfie Picture Holiday Door — by Instagram @misschloe91

If you haven’t seen Joey Udovich’s door designs, you are missing out! She has a ton of them for the whole year in her TpT store. Here is an adorable holiday door design to Deck the Halls!

Winter Door Decoration — Don’t Have a Meltdown Keep Your Cool

Bear Cave Winter Door Decoration — by Debora Marines TeachMagically

Simple Door Christmas Decoration — By Lisa Taylor Teaching the Stars

Doing writing with winter toppers is great for window decorations too!

Holiday door decorations can be fun, but what about the windows? These reindeer want ads were my favorite window display activity I did every year for the holidays. Students learned about classified ads and practiced fine motor skills.

Find MORE Door Decorating Ideas HERE