Organizing tips to clear the clutter from the classroom at the end of the school year.
As the students begin to wear shorts and t-shirts, teachers know the end of the school year is near. Students begin to receive less homework, but teachers have an assortment of tasks to complete before the last day of school.
First priority after report cards is the organization of the classroom for its annual summer cleaning. Teachers must ensure student’s work and personal belongings are brought home on the last day of school. Organization of papers, books and other elements in the classroom is very time consuming and many students are not fond of participating in the clean up.
Rather than giving each student a couple of grocery bags, teach students how to sort out their school stuff. Professional organizers are gaining popularity in North America and they make good money to organize stuff that has little or any value to the client. Organization is a beneficial life long skill for all students.
First step is to get students excited about organizing by giving them a reward at the end or as each small job is achieved. As well, only spend approximately 15-30 minutes each day on a task. If a student spends too much time on a task it becomes overwhelming and frustrating. Before students organize their desks, set up parameters of an organization system to be used.
Most students would like to have a more organized desk but are unsure of how to maintain it with its small space and large books and endless photocopies. Model the first duty with a student who has a difficult time organizing their stuff, but always ask them if you can use their desk as model.
After the desks are clean, it is time to tidy the room and to place student items that have not been claimed on a center table. Give them a time period to claim their personal belongings. After the time period, tell the students you will be donating the items to a charity.
Create tasks in the classroom that students are able to accomplish. Place students in groups with friends and have them do small tasks that will assist in the organization of the classroom. One group can organize the art section; another group can do the classroom library. As a reward, have a pizza party, it is much cheaper than hiring a professional organizer.
Furthermore, have students peruse the lost and found bins in the school. Many lost and found containers are overflowing with stuff from the beginning of the school year. Regularly, schools will donate the items once the school year has finished.
Lastly, give students a handout that will aid their parents in organizing their stuff at home. Parents are often inundated with school materials and are unsure what is worthwhile to file for the future.
