Knowing how to organize and decorate an entire classroom in an efficient, low-cost manner is a gift that not many people naturally possess. Fortunately, classroom organization and decor is a skill you can learn with just a little practice. Start with these simple crafts to keep your school supplies and other necessities in line, and soon enough, you’ll have the most charming, neat classroom in the entire school.
Magnetic Pencil Board
You can solve two classroom problems at once with this clever craft: students needing pencils, and students losing/taking said pencils. Hang this board in your classroom and let your students know that if they need a pencil, they can feel free to grab one. Then, make it a class rule that if all of the pencils are not returned to the board by the end of the day, nobody can go home until they all of the pencils are back in place.
What you’ll need:
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Metal cookie sheet
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Ribbon
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Round magnets
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Decorative magnets
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Glue
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Pencils
What you'll do:
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Glue the round magnets to eraser-ends of the pencils.
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Attach one piece of ribbon to two corners of the cookie sheet in order to hang it.
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Place magnetized pencils and decorative magnets.
Covered Boxes
If you have shelves in your classroom, you’re probably already storing quite a few of your supplies in ugly cardboard or plastic boxes. They definitely don’t do much for your classroom decor, and if they’re not labeled properly, not much for your classroom organization either. Instead, you can make these low-cost, DIY fabric-covered boxes that will showcase your personal style while keeping your necessities organized.
What you’ll need:
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Medium-sized cardboard boxes without lids (as many as you’ll need - preferably all the same size)
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2 patterned fabrics or wrapping paper of your choice
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Fabric glue or scotch tape
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Scissors
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Labels
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Markers
What you'll do:
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Wrap the outsides of each box in fabric/wrapping paper, half in the first pattern, half in the second. Attach with fabric glue (for fabric) or adhesive tape (for wrapping paper).
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Attach a label to the front of each box and briefly describe what’s in the box.
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Arrange the boxes so that the patterns alternate.
Hanging Pails
There’s nothing cuter than hanging flower pots on the front porch of a country home, and likewise, there’s no cuter way to organize art and school supplies than with miniature hanging pails! You have the freedom to personalize them any way you like, or you can have your students decorate them as a fun craft project.
What you’ll need:
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5-10 miniature metal pails with handles
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Ribbons
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Lace
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Glue
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Labels (optional)
What you'll do:
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Wrap the lace and ribbons around the pails in your desired design and attach with glue.
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Attach labels, if you wish.
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Fill pails with crayons, markers, pens, paper clips, etc.
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Hang pails on hooks or a rod in your classroom.
Homework Wall
Do you ever get tired of students asking what homework they have for each day or subject? Here’s your organized, chic solution! These handy frames with labels and cute construction paper background will not only help you stay organized and focused, it will help your students develop independence and organizational skills as well.
What you’ll need:
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5-7 frames with glass, depending if you are doing subjects or days of the week (varying sizes look best)
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A variety of colored/patterned construction paper
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Large, black adhesive letters that spell out “Homework”
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Small, black adhesive letters that spell out subjects/days of the week
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Black dry-erase marker
What you'll do:
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Cut a piece of construction paper to fit each frame.
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Attach the small adhesive letters to a corner of each piece of paper to spell out your desired words.
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Place the construction paper inside the frames, behind the glass.
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Arrange and hang the frames on the wall.
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Attach the large “Homework” letters to the wall, above, below, or to the side of the frames.
- Write homework assignments on the glass with dry-erase marker.
