Organized Teacher, Happy Classroom: A Lesson Plan for Managing Your Time, Space and Materials Book

Introduction 8

1 The Benefits of an Organized Classroom 12

Peace of mind, sense of control, and increased energy? Where do we sign up?

2 First Steps to an Organized Classroom 22

Practice the three Ps—prioritize, plan, and prepare-and you'll be on your way to a more organized classroom.

3 The Power of Purging 32

Purge your classroom to enhance simplicity, restore order, and maximize the spaces around your room.

4 Storage 46

Having a place for everything and everything in its place provides proven results.

5 Organizing the Classroom Zones 64

Take it one space at a time, and make sense of the "forest for the trees" and the "trees for the forest" to successfully organize your classroom.

6 Keeping a Teacher Reference Binder 80

Using this teacher resource tool will help you know where every important document or reference paper is.

7 Conquering Paperwork and Filing 92

Design systems for paperwork, and you'll learn how to make molehills out of mountains (not the other way around)!

8 Organizing Curriculum Materials 106

Organize your curriculum resources by keeping in mind the keys to storing materials: convenience, efficiency, and location.

9 Lesson Planning 116

Practical is good! Get time-management ideas to produce complete and effective lesson plans.

10 Managing Technology 132

Navigate your way through the sea of technology-manage e-mails, computer files, and the Internet-and discover ways to incorporate technology in your curriculum.

11 Managing Your Day 148

Harried? Stressed? Burned out? Learn strategies for staying on track, getting more done, and managing your busy days.

12 Students in the Organized Classroom 162

Guide students toward organizing success, the key to a truly "well-oiled machine" (or in this case, classroom).

13 Student Paperwork 172

Say good-bye to the abyss of lost papers, and use these tips to help student manage paperwork.

14 The End of the Year 184

Get ready, get set...almost! Tips and tasks for ensuring a smooth ending to your school year.

15 It's All About Balance 196

Find your balance, keep your balance, and live happily ever after (or at least happier ever after!).

Appendices

Suggested Reading list 204

Tour of Your Room Planning Sheet 205

Furniture Considerations Planning Sheet 206

Assessing Classroom Spaces Sheet 207

Supplies Inventory Checklist 208

Important Student Medical Information 209

Student inventory Sheet 210

Parent Contact Form 211

Yearly Curriculum Map 212

Substitute Feedback Form 216

Parent Questionnaire 217

General Weekly Schedule 220

Professional Goals Self-Evaluation 221

Index 222