Check Out My Desk!

I love Clutter-Free Classroom! I love reading about all of the storage, organization and management ideas and I am slowly, but surely, attempting to revamp my classroom.  I am lucky that I am a newbie and I don't have a ton of stuff, but it is really easy to allow things to pile up (especially on my desk).  I started my recent organization kick with the realization that my desk drawer was not necessarily as organized as I thought it was.  You can read about my obsession with office supplies here. Well, I have been busy for the last few days, and while I forgot to take a picture of the before, here is the after:

TADA!

Just ignore those charts living under my desk... they're next on the list!

Don't mind the folder on the left, that's my sub binder and folder for tomorrow. I'm attending a meeting for the county Curriculum Leadership Council (sounds important, huh?). We are unpacking the Common Core State Standards and looking at grade level progressions.  I actually really enjoy these meetings.  More on that tomorrow!

I even cleaned off my one-on-one workspace.  Aren't you impressed?

I must say that my motivation was two-fold.  It definitely helped that I have a sub coming in tomorrow and I want to make sure that they are as comfortable and things go as smoothly as possible.

Happy Wednesday!

~dani~

My Name is Dani & I Am An Office-Supply-A-Holic

So I was doing some reading over at Clutter-Free Classroom about keeping a clean desk and I am waaaaay off!!  Here is the top drawer of my desk.

Yes, there are trays and rubberbands of similar writing instruments, and the ones that are in current rotation are all in one place (in the small tray on the right). But I have come to the realization that I have a problem.  I. AM. ADDICTED.  I love office supplies.  And today I realized that I have been hoarding pens and pencils like a crazy person.  So much so that my drawer looks like that. But I thought I was organized...

My major missteps (according to Clutter-Free Classroom) are as follows:

• Stop using Post-It Notes.  Instead keep one notebook designated for reminders and to do lists.  (See that collection of them?  Right by the gum? Yeah, there are a bunch! And you should see the top of my desk!)
• Schedule times to clean your desk.  Make this a routine. (I'm pretty good at this, but I could do a lot better. I'm thinking when my kids clean up. What a concept?)
• Stick to one pen (!!!!!!). Pick a brand and color that you like and use it exclusively. Only keep 2-3 on hand at a time. (HOLY COW! Can you imagine how much space I could have in that drawer up there?)

I am totally revamping my desk tomorrow.  My next dilemma... what am I going to do with all of that extra space?

~dani~