Increase Instructional Time

Time on learning, time on learning.  Isn't it crazy how much we have to fit in every day?

A plastic drawer has saved me this year. Yup.  You read that right. A plastic drawer.

My school has very limited shelf and storage bins. Yet, the kiddos have a plethora of materials that they need.  Our math journals alone (2 volumes, mind you) are an epic novel in and of themselves.

So I needed an excuse to go to was shopping at Target when I saw this bin and I made the splurge.  I had a $100 gift card from parents so I grabbed this poor soul and stuffed my car with bins.

Since we have tables instead of desks, I put one bin at each set of tables. I bought 5 bins.

And now all those journals and supplies are in one place....right at their tables!

I choose a "table captain" (one student per table) to pass out supplies and now I don't have students wandering all around the room for supplies.

I kid you not...this has saved us LOADS of time. Because we all know that once they get up to get supplies they talk. And talk. And chat. And talk. And chat some more and I'm waiting. And waiting. And waiting. And then...

"What page are we on?" 

"What are we supposed to get?"

"Do I go to the table or the rug?"

"I can't find the page."

And on.

And on.

And on.

This doesn't happen anymore.  All because a 4 drawer plastic storage bin saved us all.

How do you store classroom supplies? Do you have any tricks or tips to manage it all?