Organizing classroom files has pretty much been the bane of my teaching career. If you’re looking for the easiest, best way to organize classroom files, you’re in the right place!
Specifically, I’m talking about master copies of activities, interactive notebook pages, graphic organizers, worksheets, and craftivities.
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File Organization Systems I’ve Tried
For one reason or another, these “systems” didn’t work for me. If they’re working for you, no need to change. After all, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it, right?
But for me, these didn’t work.
- Binders with sheet protectors
- Time Consuming
- Not easily accessible
- Can get expensive (binders and sheet protectors)
- Need storage space
- Filing cabinets
- Need filing cabinets and space to put them (I don’t have either in my current classroom)
- Can get messy quickly (or maybe I’m the only one who just throws stuff in because I can’t see it)
- Not always easily accessible depending on filing cabinet location
- Plastic cases
- Time Consuming
- Not easily accessible
- Can get expensive (plastic cases)
- Need storage space
How do I organize my classroom files?
Major shout out to Erin from The Elementary Darling for sharing her BRILLIANT system with the world.
I’ve shared the system I use a few times on Instagram, and it’s always a fan favorite. It’s so simple, and something I wish I would have done years ago.
- Grab a milk crate. I got the one pictured a few years ago at Target. It was $4, and a steal. I actually have several of these.
- Grab some hanging files, and label them by the week. I don’t have separate files for each subject, but you could. I have these:
- I put in my master copies (because if I print it once, I don’t want to have to print it year after year) and have them organized by week.
- It makes planning so much easier. I might have to look at the next week, and shift a few things around depending on how they fall each year, but it hasn’t been an issue.
- Seriously…do yourself a favor, and have this ready to go before school starts again.
Tips, Tricks, and Notes to Organize Files
- For master copies of things that aren’t related to instructional needs, I use this same system, except, it’s not organized by week. I just grab another milk crate, hanging files, and am good to go.
- There are a few projects that I put in a file folder, and then place the file folder in its correct hanging folder.
- Depending on how organized you want to get, you could have a milk crate for each semester, or quarter, and even place read alouds in the files.
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- Positive Classroom Management
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