Classroom Mailboxes

To maximize my space in my classroom, I use a shoe organizer for my mailboxes.  This has been working for me for 4 years.  My students have classroom jobs and two people manage the mailboxes, then on Thursdays everyone gets their "mail" to take home.  It is an easy, expensive way to keep our papers organized. 

Share Chair

Our "Share Chair" is used weekly for students who are sharing their work, writing, or book recommendations.  Students sign up for a slot to share their work each week.  This puts sharing back into the hands of the child.  

At first, my shy students do not volunteer, then they allow me or other students to share their work, but by the end of the year everyone is sharing proudly.  It is a great way to build community in the classroom.  

Book Nooks

Because we have comfy spots in the classroom, we use a book nook system. This allows everyone to spend the same amount of time in these special seats.  The kids really like the book nooks, because they know exactly where they can go that day and how long they have until the seat they want.  My librarians take care of rotating our clips daily.  Here is a link to my book nook chart.

Seat Sacks

Two years ago now, my fifth grade classroom had only tables.  So, as I prepared for the new year, I came across the seat sacks that Lakeshore Learning was selling and decided then I wanted them.  My mom and I went to the store and bought outdoor fabric in five different colors, we took a chair from the school and begin to create the seat sacks that I still use today.  

These have been amazing, and have held up so well!  Definitely a great investment!

Clipboard Craze

This summer I wanted to discover ways for students to easily access the resources I have in the classroom.  One of the things I wanted to revamp was my clipboard system.  

I had the clipboards in a crate in the back of the classroom before, but they weren't being used as much as I thought they could be.  I also had some children taking the clipboards and putting them in their desks and lockers.

My mom and I gathered paper and paint and began creating these clipboards that are now more attractive. Costing us maybe 20 bucks total.  


A tip in creating these clipboards- when using scrapbook paper buy a Xyron machine from Michaels or Hobby Lobby.  You run your paper through the machine and it turns into a large sticker.  This will prevent the bumps and air bubbles that arise if you just use modge podge or glue.


I plan to hang the clipboards with small peel and stick hook on the side of each child's desk.  Hanging them will make it more accessible and hopefully will encourage the use.  I numbered the clipboards, so that I wouldn't lose any and I will also use it as another management tool. Instead of calling only color groups, I will be able to also call table member numbers. Click here to get the circle numbers that I placed on each of the clipboards. 

And lastly, after placing the numbers and scrapbook pieces, we need to seal the boards so that they will last.  We used the "Do It Yourself Divas" idea of making our own modge podge.  Check out their pin on how to do it!