I know I can’t be the only teacher out there who hates battling the messy desks. No matter how many times we clean them throughout the year, they always seem to become a disaster in the matter of a day or two. Hardcover books on the right side, folders and notebooks on the left, with space in the middle for supplies does NOT seem to work. Every time students need to put papers back into a folder, it is always preceded with “Put this paper in your _____ folder.” Perhaps the kids think I’m speaking some foreign language because apparently they just think I’m telling them to quickly shove it to the back of their desk. I also try to cut down on the clutter by not having them keep their science and social studies textbook in their desk. Those are two very thick books that we only use a couple times a week. I take the few minutes to pass them out and collect them every time because I honestly don’t know what would happen if they were to keep them in there too!
I don’t have a ton of storage room in my classroom, but I went around before we started cleaning and chose 6 of the messiest desks because that’s how many baskets I had room for. Those students need to keep any extra supply (coloring utensil, flash cards, books, scissors, glue, etc.) in that basket. We even dumped many of their supplies into a large Ziploc baggie so they can just grab that when it is needed. Basically, whenever they need something, they have to walk over to their basket to get what they need. It has actually been working quite well and the clutter in those desks have definitely been reduced, although I do find a few loose papers now and then. I debated putting names on the baskets but decided against it because I didn’t want them to stand out to visitors or students from other classes as being disorganized. They don’t have any problems figuring out which basket is which.
This has been working for me for the past couple of months. Do you do anything with your students that helps keep their desks organized? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!
Oh my, I can relate! Messy desks drive me nuts, and I'm convinced students think better when their desks are neater. Things that have helped in our classroom: 1. No school supplies other than pencils in the desks. Markers, glue, scissors, etc. are kept in community bins, or in their backpacks if they're too special to share. 2. I try not to give out too many worksheets. Loose paper = mess. 3. We clean out desks every week to combat hoarding. Over time it's gotten a lot better!
Late this spring I had had enough. Especially papers not in the right folder. So I started having my students keep their folders in a box. Each subject has a box and the students get their folder before that class and put them away after that class. Even though I only have 12 students, I have give each student a number and have them put their folder in numerical order. With this method students put papers away before they put their folder away. I have access to all the folders if I want to do a check ( ie make sure that there are not papers from the first day of school in there) or look at the folders for some reason or another.
This year I appointed table leaders who were in charge of each small grouping of desks. I kept math, science, phonics/reading, and writing journals grouped around the room. I did this to keep them out of the kids desk but also keep them easily available to me so I could pick up 5 or so and take them home to take a peek. It's made grading easier and I know the journals are much more -truly- interactive than ever.
HOWEVER, my kids desks are still a pit of horribleness that only another primary teacher can imagine. They got two folders this year and a pencil box for their supplies. One folder houses their decodable phonics books and fluency and the other is their "student work folder". Happy face on one side (done) Sad face on the other (unfinished). Still – there are kids that just — I don't know. Shoved it bits of stuff I swear is from last year! Pencils, crayons, etc. etc. everywhere but the pencil box. I'm trying to figure out what to do for next year because this is driving me bananas.
I'm contemplating turning their desks around. Keeping NOTHING in them. NADA. Having a supply bin per table and having table leaders collect papers and store them in folders with the journals. Is this crazy talk? Impossible? I don't know. I'm still thinking which is why I loved this post so much! I'm open to any and all ideas!
Dixon's Darling Dolphins
I have to admit that I do NOT miss my student desks. I know have tables and don't have the messy desk issue anymore. Now, we have community supplies and baskets much like your system for each table.
Great post!
-Sarah
A Rocky Top Teacher
Oh my word- **now have tables.
Should have proof read my comment! 🙂
one of my most ingenuis ideas has been to purchase a "silverware tray" for each student! I love our super-organized desks!! The kids put all their supplies in the silverware tray…markers, glue sticks, scissors, crayons, pencils..a spot in the tray for all of it!! And they keep them clean!! The kids just slide out their tray, choose a supply, slide back into desk! OR they can pull out whole trya to work away from desk! It REALLY works great!
I am an organization nut. Messy desks drove me to it. For a few years now, the students only have two folders in their desks. One labeled "desk folder" and the other labeled "homework/take home" folder. This way I dont have to say put it in your so and so folder. It saves time and is much more organized.
I couldn't help but laugh out loud reading this post. There are a handful of kids in my class that you just described to a T! Especially the book hoarding thing!
Amen!
I have students put graded papers or papers that go home right into their mailbox slot. It doesn’t guarantee it gets home, but it keeps the clutter out of desks.
When putting work in a folder, I have them hold up the folder and show me the paper inside. They can’t line up, get the next subject out, etc. until I or a class leader have seen it.