Jasper Roberts - Blog

Decluttering my Classroom


The past two school years, I have packed up my room completely, in case I would not return to the same building in the fall. Last year, I thought I did a really good job purging things, and I had a lot that I gave and threw away, but I ultimately still had to rent a storage unit during the summertime, in addition to the carload I brought home. When I returned this fall, I left many boxes unpacked in my classroom, and guess what? 

If you guessed that they were still packed this spring, you would be right. 

So I decided to really take a critical eye to what I had in my classroom, and what I actually used, and I purged so much that I was able to pack it all up in three trips in my Mini Cooper. No storage unit necessary!

Here’s how I did it:

I asked myself the following questions and really thought realistically and critically about it. 

Why was I holding on to bulletin board letters from eleven years ago? Why did I need three old staplers that barely worked? Did I really need three FULL bins of stationary and random pens I’d picked up at professional development, conferences, and the like? 

Other than my books, this is all I brought home, plus one bin of classroom decorations!
But…what if I needed them? What if I suddenly found myself some day, needing a “j” bulletin board letter, a pen, and stationary with my maiden name on it?

Answer: I wouldn’t. I don’t. I need to stop hoarding office supplies. So if you’re ready to take this plunge, and believe me, I feel so much better actually knowing where things are, ask yourself if you really need all those index cards and old crayons (you know, the ones kids never want to use and you were planning to save for a future pinterest fail project), and then head to my TpT store to pick up this organization freebie!

Tips:
  1. Be ruthless: Haven’t used it this year? Toss it or donate it.
  2. Be realistic: How many of one thing do you need?
  3. Be organized: Store stuff and label the boxes so you, and students, know where to find it
  4. Be purposeful: Have a system for how students will get and use these materials, and stick to it. They will appreciate it!
  5. Be wise: Purchasing stuff at a cheaper cost may seem like a good idea, but it may backfire when your bookcases fall apart in the middle of class and terrify your students (yup. Thanks Walmart bookcases). Invest in classroom furniture that will last, take care of it, and laminate EVERYTHING! :)
I left one of the snapshots blank to add your own. I chose to use it for my classroom library, as that is a place where I can definitely tend to hoard things! I highly recommend you weed out your library every year, and have a system so you can see which books students checked out frequently, and which were not chosen at all!


18 comments:

  1. I am hoping you will publish more after this topic. Thanks a lot a total great deal for showing http://thoughtcatalog.com/naomi-hustings/ around! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HERBAL DR EMU WHO PREPARE HERBAL MEDICINE TO CURE ALL KINDS OF DISEASES INCLUDING HERPES DISEASE.   
       I have been battling this Herpes disease for almost 3 years now....I tried all possible means to get cure from my Herpes Disease but all to be in vain until i saw a post in a health forum about a herbal Dr Emu who prepare herbal medicine to cure all kind of diseases including Herpes Disease, at first i doubted if it was real but decided to give it a try...when i contact Dr Emu via his email (emutemple@gmail.com)  write him and reply me explain how the process work so after ordering for the medicine I got it within 3/4 working days through DHL Delivery and I took it according to the way Dr Emu instructed, I was so happy after 2 week I took the medicine there was very big change in my health when I was done with the process I go for test, I found out I am negative...Herpes patients should also get in touch with this herbalist Dr Emu to get rid of these Herpes Virus forever his whatsapp number +2347012841542.

      Delete
  2. What is it about pens and sticky note pads? I want to take one (or more) whenever I attend a conference. It is almost an addiction with me. (I had to force myself not to swipe a pad of sticky notes that looked like a cartoon talk bubble at a conference yesterday!) I decluttered a year ago when I switched rooms. It was a great feeling. (Your stash looks much more organized and cute than mine!)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good tips. I want a vege patch but I think it will need to be in pots...somewhere.best accommodation lake como

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your blog is very good that I have inspired.Key safes

    ReplyDelete
  5. helloo....Your hair looks lawyer great!! I still have a kid friendly cabinet in my kitchen, who knows when I will change it to be functional for me. ;)website

    ReplyDelete
  6. hello...Superb read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing a little study on that. And he actually bought me lunch 3rd mortgagee because I discovered it for him smile So let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch best bank for home loan

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have read you post, Great work you really did it very well. Keep working like this and sharing informative posts like
    this one. keep it up. I'm waiting for your next post...
    orillia real estate

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great tips I have noted all in my diary I'll use your all tips as you mentioned I really like your article I was searching on this topic as I'm working on this topics too.you can see my work but yours is too good I personally appreciate you for this. Keep working like this.custom hoodies ottawa

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great tips I have noted all in my diary I'll use your all tips as you mentioned I really like your article I was searching on this topic as I'm working on this topics too.you can see my work but yours is too good I personally appreciate you for this. Keep working like this.Asus Zenfone 4 Selfie Price

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for this great post. Download nova launcher app from: how to use nova launcher

    ReplyDelete
  11. Excel Dental - Dentist in Langhorne offers cosmetic dentistry procedures, restorative dentistry, affordable dental implants including mini dental implants as well as full dental implant in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. Book your dental appointment for teeth whitening for any cosmetic procedures in Langhorne, Pennsylvania if you are searching for a general dentist near methen you might come across with Excel Dental Langhorne because of its best dentist in Langhorne

    ReplyDelete
  12. Affordable online boutique - Bermere is a leading online store for the fashion lover women, and it offers classy, designer and trendy outfits at economical prices the women of every age group. Online boutique tops, dresses, jumpsuits, rompers, two-piece sets, and outwear available here are perfect for your office, night outs, parties and more. Besides, the add-on accessories for women like jewelry, scrunchies, and scarves can add more to your style. In addition to all this, Bermere - Affordable Online Boutique has expertise in seasonal clothing. To get the finest online boutique tops, summer dresses, and trendy sweaters visit our affordable online boutique store and give you the perfect style you desire.

    ReplyDelete
  13. 24*7 mobile truck repair in Atlanta.. Premium Truck and Trailer Repair LLC all the truck repair, trailer repair, services in Conley, Atlanta. Premium Truck and Trailer Repair LLC offers high quality and cost effective truck and trailer repair services. Our professional truck repair near me can fix your heavy duty truck and trailer for hassle free travel.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Omg I Finally Got Helped  !! I'm so excited right now, I just have to share my testimony on this Forum.. The feeling of being loved takes away so much burden from our shoulders. I had all this but I made a big mistake when I cheated on my wife with another woman  and my wife left me for over 4 months after she found out..  I was lonely, sad and devastated. Luckily I was directed to a very powerful spell caster Dr Emu who helped me cast a spell of reconciliation on our Relationship and he brought back my wife and now she loves me far more than ever.. I'm so happy with life now. Thank you so much Dr Emu, kindly Contact  Dr Emu Today and get any kind of help you want.. Via Email emutemple@gmail.com or Call/WhatsApp +2347012841542

    ReplyDelete
  15. Marvelous, what a blog it is! This website provides valuable facts to us, keep it up.

    스포츠토토티비
    스포츠중계

    ReplyDelete
  16. 배트맨토토
    토토사이트

    Thanks designed for sharing such a nice thought, paragraph is nice, thats why i have read
    it entirely

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by! JW