Fact or Fantasy? Organization 101 for Teachers

Once upon a time, there was teacher who created color-coded binders for every subject.  Her classroom was a picture of orderliness and organization.  Her desk was immaculate. Her teaching table was perfect for small-group instruction. It was pile free. Her hair was always gorgeously coiffed and her French manicure glistened with unchipped glory.  She never forgot her lunch. Ever.

Have I ever told you that Fantasy Fiction is my favorite genre?  Every year, I do it to myself. I make a resolution that involves organization in one way or another.  I think we all do this.  Organization has never been something that comes easily to me.  I like to say that I have mental organization, but not physical organization.  It's okay if you giggled at that.  I know it's code for "my desk is often a hot mess."  

Recently, I was on instagram, and a friend posted a GORGEOUS photo of her new office at home.  It was decorated in pale pink and rose gold, and I frothed at the mouth a bit, overcome by envy.  I have a home office decorated in robin's egg blue, seashell peach, and black.  But, it looks like 50 teacher's bags threw up all over it.

However, this is what I mean about "mental organization."  Did you just snort when you laughed? Seriously. I'm good at organizing and managing systems. 

A few years ago, I began using Words Their Way word study program.  Initially, I was overwhelmed by the immense preparation and organization it demanded.  I took a step back though, and broke it down into small components.

Component #1

Teacher Folders 

After assessing my students, I grouped them and gave each group a color name. I made a color-coded teacher folder for each group where I would house my notes, and word sort pages for each group member. I begged a parent volunteer to come in every week to copy each group's sort and cut and copy a teacher edition for me which was kept in a small envelope in my teaching folders.

Component #2 

Student Folders

Then I created student folder (with grommets ) for each child. These folders held the weekly word work homework and class work menus, as well as the activity pages (about 20 of each) that I had created to support our word work  and student examples and directions.  I also put in about 30 pages of lined paper in the back. This was enough to last each student until about February.  The nightly word work assignment took 10 minutes at the most.

Component #3 

Instructional Patterns

I taught word sorts on Monday mornings to each each word work group. I usually have 4 groups, so this takes about an hour. We discover sorting patterns together, discuss the words as vocabulary, and have fun using them in funny sentences.  I even bought a sound machine in the gag gift aisle in Target to use during spelling. As students take turns reading the words aloud and using them in sentences, I 'd play a funny sound on the machine for them. This upped the engagement because they couldn't wait to see what their sound would be. 

Throughout the week in reader's workshop, while I was working with guided reading groups, students read independently and completed word study games and activities.

Because I was using a word sorting approach, our Friday assessment required that students sort and spell the words correctly.

Checking Student Progress

Every morning during the week, students returned to school with their word work folders.  I circulated among desks and stickered their work, checking to make sure that they'd completed the assignment, and answering any questions that may have come up.  This helped with student accountability.

I reassessed students mid-year and moved students around in groups if their assessment showed it needed to happen.

So, writer's revise their stories over and over again, right? So let's try this again: Once upon a time, there was a teacher who sometimes forgot her lunch and chewed her nails.  Her desk was often a hot mess, and her hair was often unkempt. But her lessons?  Ohhhh, her lessons ROCKED, and her kids LEARNED because systems were in place. The End.

The next time you mentally beat on yourself as you shift teaching piles around your classroom, think twice.  Ask yourself, "Are my systems in place?"  Chances are they're there.

Because I'm challenged with physical organization, I've spent a great deal of time organizing my life and classroom in other ways.  Check out the products below. You don't have to be using a word sort spelling program or workshop approach for them to work for you. You'll thank yourself if you're anything like me. 

I've teamed up with some phenomenal educators this month. Check out their blog posts below!

   

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