Classroom Ideas
Organizing a pre-K Classroom can be quite a challenge with so many materials. Pre-K teachers have learning manipulatives, play toys, cubbies, books, and so much more. Using everyday objects like folders, carts, and containers, you can make your classroom an organizational haven that will make every teacher asking how they can do that too. Young children benefit academically and socially from a well laid out classroom. It will help them learn routines and expectations while focusing their time on academic and social skills. Check out some of these great pre-K organization hacks to see how you can transform your classroom with minimal effort!
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Here are 20 PreK organization hacks that will change your classroom!
1. Colored Bins for Every Day
Source: @everything_sparklesinprek
Use a colored cart to have your activities organized for every day of the week. Label each drawer with a day of the week and you will always know where to find that day’s lessons.
2. Labeled Manipulative Containers
Source: @myprekworld
Labels are a must for pre-K organization. These STEM bins already come pre-labeled for easy organization of manipulatives.
3. A Bin with Picture Labels for Every Learning Tool
Source: @organized_speducator
Put a laminated visual on your bins so that students can easily identify what is in each container and where to put things away when class is over.
4. Rolled Up Posters for Poetry or a Story
Source: @theresourcefulapple
Keep all of your learning posters in one simple place so you know where they are all the time!
5. Color-Coded Cubbies for Each Student
Source: @popcorn_poppin_preschool
It’s helpful for every student to know where their personal items belong and by color-coding, it can be easier for them to remember their spot. These colored dots make it easy to label a bin or cubby for every student!
6. Bookshelves Organized by Subjects
Source: @play.with.purpose
Using file holders, you can organize all of your books by subject and/or level. Get a set of 12 from Amazon HERE.
7. Portfolios for Each Students
Source: Pre-K Pages
Create a portfolio for each student so you can see how much progress students made all year. This expandable organizer can help keep work organized for up to 24 students in one place! You can download this set of editable students portfolios from Pre-K Pages HERE.
8. Teacher Carts with Tiers for Each Subject
Source: @brittanymr15
Know where to find your plans for each subject in one place and be able to bring your materials to wherever you are working with students. Get one HERE.
9. Task Boxes for the Most Important Skills
Source: Pin Hairs
Use pencil boxes for each of your different task boxes, such as fine motor skills, or math practice.
10. Use Individual Visual Schedules to Support All Unique Learners
Source: Teaching Exceptional Kinders
Develop visual schedules so each student always knows what to be prepared for in the day. Having a schedule at each students’ desk makes it easier to see and can be individualized for therapies or centers. Download these visual cards and templates HERE.
11. Weekly Folders with Labels
Source: The Happy Teacher
These printables offered by The Happy Teacher on TpT make it easy to label folders for each student so materials can be sent home or brought back to school in an organized manner.
12. Filing Cabinet with Activities for Every Letter and Number
Source: The Organized Preschool Teacher
Make colored file folders into an easy grab and go station to work on letters or numbers. Download this alphabet template for free HERE and grab a box of 100 file folders delivered right to your door HERE.
13. Literacy Learning Station with Dry-Erase Sleeves
Source: Fun Learning for Kids
Create writing and reading activities so students always have something educational and engaging to do while they are in the literacy center. These dry erase sleeves make for a great way to reuse writing or tracing sheets for continued practice!
14. Center Time Management Tools
Source: Pocket of Preschool
Use a center chart so both adults and children know where everyone should be during centers. Each student can have a clothespin with their name on it to make it easy to see what center they should be in! Get pre-made center labels HERE.
15. A Special Place for Every Tool
Source: Kindergarten Nana
Have a place for all your essential tools like scissors, paper, and pencils. Put crayons in coordinating colored cups for easy organization. This can make for a great sorting activity as well! Yes, pre-K organization can be worked into lessons!
16. Repurpose Items as Organizational Tools
Source: @saimaahmed1
Thrift store baskets are great for grouping items, like dry erase boards and accessories, together. Looking for a new way to keep those dry erase boards clean? Try Dollar Tree face scrubbers as erasers!
17. Monthly Drawers for the Whole Year
Use drawers to keep monthly activities organized so you are prepared for every season and holiday! This rolling cart is perfect with ten drawers. You can print these monthly drawer labels from Learning in Wonderland on TPT.
18. Create a Calm Down Kit
Via: @b_is_for_breathe_childrensbook
Every pre-K teacher knows that an upset child is a normal occurrence. Create your own calm down kit with simple materials like a sensory bottle, crayons, playdoh, and a stress ball. Put it in a small bin or basket so it’s portable when you’re away from the classroom calm down corner. Get the book B is for Breathe here!
19. “Create, Prep, and Teach” Organizer
Source: Nouveau Soccer Mom
Be prepared for upcoming lessons by dividing your plans into these three categories: create, teach, and prep. Use a container with three compartments to store your materials for the lesson. Get a pack of six HERE.
20. Social Skills Binders
Source: Pocket of Preschool
Put all of your social skills activities in a binder for easy access with all of your students! Print out these Binder Spines here.
As you move through the school year, take a look at your classroom to see what could be better organized for your students. A few small changes can make a world of difference in a child’s early education! Pre-K organization doesn’t have to be difficult, expensive, or time-consuming. A few simple tweaks can make a big difference.
