Taking an organised approach...
Desk area
If you have a regular sized teachers desk, you are lucky! Some schools have taken the approach of not giving a teacher a desk, meaning they have to organise their bits and bobs in other places around the classroom.
I really believe that a tidy work space means a tidy mind...
I always used to get really frustrated when I would return to my classtoom after a cover teacher or subject teacher had been in my room and left it in a mess. This could be something to do with the fact I am a neat freak but I just can't help it!
Organising my desk
It is always tidy (no seriously, it is!) and has the following:
From top left: Staples, elastic bands, drawing pins, giant paper clips. 2nd row from left: Wall staples, treasury tags, paper clips, pegs. 3rd row from left: mini bulldog clips, hooks and safety pins, bluetack, balloons. Bottom row from left: Sequins, velcro tape, dragon pellets, reward stickers.
Mini drawer organiser- see the photo. I absolutely LOVE this. I use it everyday.
Two to three different pen pots which would house the most used pens, pencils and markers in my classroom. They would also have a short ruler and 30cm ruler. I would have my own pair of large scissors and a pair of kids scissors. Lots of highlighter pens, handwriting pens, permanent marker pens and whiteboard pens.
A glue stick. And at least one glue stick hidden away somewhere else.
A tape dispenser. And at least one roll of tape hidden away somewhere else.
At least one coaster, normally made by an ex-pupil.
A bottle of water. I've been using the www.hydratem8.co.uk bottles as I used to be terrible at drinking regularly throughout the day!
A pencil case with extra pens, a set of colouring pens in, marking pens, ruler, rubber, pencil sharpener, a few postage stamps, mini tape, packet of mints or sweets, a few paperclips and split pins. I can then take it with me for meetings or when I am on PPA elsewhere in school.
A paper tray. This would start out tidy and organised and then after half a term, a complete mess!
A journal and diary. I tend to keep both going throughout the year. My diary is normally A4 size with a week to view over two pages and then a journal where I make my notes during meetings. My diary was normally purchased by the school and the journal I would buy myself. These planners are lush and I am definitely getting one for this year!
www.uniqueplanners.co.uk/categories/teacher-plannersA note block. Always handy for those quick messages to other teachers.
Post-it-notes. Of different shapes and sizes.
A whistle. Normally attached to my lanyard. Has to be metal not plastic too.
Selection of mini sand timers. I have 1 minute, 2 minute, 5 minute and 10 minute timers.
A teddy or mascot for circle time. I have had Norbet for 16 years and he's not left my side!
in my drawers
I would always have the following:
Set of reward stamps
Hand cream. I hate using clay and getting dry hands.
Anti-perspirant. Only a roll-on, just in case you have anyone who is asthmatic. I would not allow any sprays in the classroom.
Antibacterial hand gel and wet wipes.
A few packets of pocket tissues.
Packet of paracetamol.
A nice smelling candle. Always kept it for parents evenings. Some schools ask it is placed inside a pot of sand (ex Catholic school teacher here!).
A lighter. Useful for science lessons too.
Plasters. Of varying sizes.
A first-aid kit. Most are provided by school.
A ball of string. For all sorts of dangly things in the classroom.
Bluetack. Amazing how much of this you get through in a year!
Chalk. White ones and coloured chalks.
Ipad. Along with the charger - never leave that around or it will disappear! Don't forget to hand it to the person who does the PAT testing.
My own set of paintbrushes. Very fussy about having my own set!
Emergency chocolate. This is essential and should really be top of the list!
Tippex. Banned in lots of schools but really handy.
My own set of sketching pencils. Used for every art lesson and less likely to have the leads broken if you have your own set! Also handy to have some art putty.
Reward stickers. LOTS of them! Schools should really provide them but I always used to buy my own. There are some great companies who do personalised ones now too. I have used thestickerfactory.co.uk. The KS1 kidlets used to love the smelly ones!
Reward stamps. See picture above. My husband bought these for me as a present a few years ago and I love them!
A few plastic bags. You never know...
Stapler. With my name written on it. It's amazing how many I have lost over the years until I learnt to put my name on it!
Staple remover. Keep this safe as above!
Hole punch. Again, as above!
Laminating pouches. The ones you want noone else to find.
Double-sided sticky tape.
Ribbon. Lots of different colours and lengths, sizes.
Glitter. Every colour under the sun or in the rainbow!
Craft knife.
Tool kit - I have a few screw drivers, hammer and pliers.
Pair of thick socks.
Spare drawing pins, split pins and staples.
Set of headphones. Useful when I need to listen to a podcast and want to be in a world of my own.
