Classroom Organization & Time Management
What the experts say about classroom organization & time management:
Establishing a positive school culture makes it safe enough for students to ask questions, to speak up in a group, to voice opinions, to ask for help, to assume leadership, to make independent decisions and solve problems with peers. ~ Jeanne Gibbs
The goal is to teach children how to do the right thing. This goal is accomplished by setting limits, giving students responsibility, helping them develop confidence, and teaching them how to solve problems.~ Marilyn Gootman
From the very start of the school year, the way a classroom is managed will impact the instruction that takes place.~ Jessica Burkhalter
Read more about classroom organization & time management!
OVERVIEW of organization & time management
Creating a positive classroom community includes effective management techniques, effective organization and ways to promote student accountability. Along with classroom preparation, it is essential to establish routines and create an engaging learning environment. These aspects of classroom management all contribute to success in student learning and are best initiated early in the school year.
Classroom routines & expectations
Students are motivated to learn in an environment that fosters cooperation, responsibility and respect for one another. Establish routines early in the school year through discussions, modeling and role play. Students at all grade levels benefit from co-creating, understanding and practicing classroom routines and expectations. When students are involved in establishing expectations, accountability increases.
Classroom organization & management strategies
An effective classroom management strategy supports students in their learning at all grade levels. The classroom structure, materials and planning are all linked to the success of each student. Choose a strategy that fosters student responsibility, goal setting to improve student learning and an inclusive classroom community. Promote a positive classroom culture through collaboration and encouragement.
Featured Videos
Classroom Management:
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Tribes Agreements:
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Helping Hands:
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All Classroom Tips Recipes
Pick a Play Area: Developing Math, Language, and Literacy Skills
Map It!: Integrating Social Studies and Literacy (Virtual Tour)
Tribes Agreements: Creating Inclusive Classroom Culture in Second Grade (Virtual Tour)
Tribes Agreements: Creating Inclusive Classroom Culture in Second Grade (Virtual Tour)
Helping Hands: Sharing Classroom Responsibilities (Virtual Tour)
Early Morning Activity: Making Every Minute Count (Virtual Tour)
A Helpful Tool: Using Sticky Notes during Reading and Writing (Virtual Tour)
The Portable Desk: Engaging in Learning Using a Clipboard (Virtual Tour)
A Tool for Reading: Using Whiteboards during Guided Reading (Virtual Tour)
Fluency Phones: Amplifying Students' Voices in Oral Reading (Virtual Tour)
Climb Every Mountain: Setting Goals and Using Feedback to Attain Them (Virtual Tour)
Dealing with First Day Jitters: Promoting Motivation for Literacy (Virtual Tour)
Learning Goals: Fostering Student Success in Second Grade (Virtual Tour)
Teaching Tip: Creating Individual Blackboards (Virtual Tour)
Classroom Management: Using a Number Line to Track Class Points (Virtual Tour)
Learning Centers: Applying Skills in an Independent Context (Virtual Tour)
The Daily Schedule: Promoting Independent Learning in First and Second Grade (Virtual Tour)
Be Positive and Kind: Thinking and Talking About Community Expectations (Virtual Tour)
When I'm Done I've Just Begun: Encouraging Self-Reliance During Writing Time
What Are We Learning Today?: Setting Goals to Improve Student Learning
Success Criteria: Setting Goals to Improve Student Learning
Telling Time and Classroom Management: Developing Student Responsibility (Virtual Tour)
Table Top Bins: Organizing Student Materials (Virtual Tour)
Book Bins: Organizing Student Materials (Virtual Tour)
Anchor Assignments: Promoting Literacy Independence during Small Group Instruction (Virtual Tour)
Have You Filled a Bucket Today?: Promoting a Positive Classroom Culture (Virtual Tour)
Family Room: A Gathering Place for Learning (Virtual Tour)
Learning Targets: Fostering Student Success in Kindergarten (Virtual Tour)
Good Morning Song: Establishing Classroom Routine (Virtual Tour)
Home-School Connection: Practicing Letter Sounds and Sight Words (Virtual Tour)
Literacy Centers: Promoting Literacy Independence in Kindergarten (Virtual Tour)
Writing Center: Using Whiteboards to Practice Spelling Words (Virtual Tour)
Milling to Music: Integrating Music and Literacy During Transitions (Virtual Tour)
Learning Luggage: Taking Engaging Literacy Activities Home for Practice with Parents (Virtual Tour)
Seasons of Our Learning: Remembering What Has Been Done Over the Year (Virtual Tour)
Meaningful Word Walls: Using Childrens Names and Familiar Sound-Prompt Pictures (Virtual Tour)
Being Special is Important: Daily Helpers in the Kindergarten Classroom (Virtual Tour)
Building Word Families: Making and Breaking Words in the ABC Center (Virtual Tour)
Forming Letters: Verbal Prompts to Facilitate Learning (Virtual Tour)
Kindergarten Word Wall: Developing Print Awareness and Word Recognition (Virtual Tour)
Morning Messages: Developing Concepts of Print, Word Recognition and Rhyming (Virtual Tour)
Writer's Workshop: Modeling and Guiding the Writing Process in Kindergarten (Virtual Tour)
Meaningful Attendance: Question of the Day Prompts a Written Response (Virtual Tour)
Sand Table and Flannel Board: Contexts for Retelling Stories (Virtual Tour)
Playing with Letters: Learning Letter-Sounds and Creating Words (Virtual Tour)
Book Bins: Reading Practice from Personal Book Bins (Virtual Tour)
"Pop Corn" Words: Learning High Frequency Words that Pop Up Everywhere (Virtual Tour)
Favorite Read Alouds: Strategies for Fiction and Nonfiction Books (Virtual Tour)
Pointers and Pals: Props to Encourage Students to Find and Read Words (Virtual Tour)
Dial-a-Story!: Using Classroom Telephones to Support Reading Aloud (Virtual Tour)
Reading Buddy Props: Motivating Reading with a Partner to Practice Early Literacy Skills (Virtual Tour)
Not Just for Baking!: Organizing Groups and Classroom Activities using Cookie Sheets (Virtual Tour)
Leveled Reading Bins: Matching Books to Readers Through Classroom Organization (Virtual Tour)
Daily Reading Conferences: Monitoring and Guiding Growth in Early Reading (Virtual Tour)
Learning Center Board: Organizing the Classroom to Support Learning (Virtual Tour)
Printing with Pizzazz!: Motivating Ways to Develop Letter and Number Recognition and Formation (Virtual Tour)
Pointing Fingers!: Using Props to Focus on Individual Words and Inter-Word Spaces (Virtual Tour)
Take a Number!: Promoting Independence though Routines and Classroom Organization (Virtual Tour)
Play it Again!: Motivating Games for Word Analysis and Spelling (Virtual Tour)
Folder Holders: Desktop Organizers for Resources (Virtual Tour)
Mistakes Don't Show!: Using Individual Whiteboards in the Classroom (Virtual Tour)
Math Buffet: Using Manipulatives for Deeper Understanding (Virtual Tour)
What's Happening Today?: Using a Daily Schedule to Manage Time (Virtual Tour)
Noise Cancelling Headphones: Classroom Modification to Focus Attention (Virtual Tour)
Time Timer: Building Time Concepts and Time Management (Virtual Tour)
Scratch Math Book: Risk-Free Practice to Consolidate Concepts (Virtual Tour)
Executive Functions Superheroes: Building Strategies for Success (Virtual Tour)
Better than Good!: Selecting Precise and Interesting Words for Writing (Virtual Tour)
Student Response System: An Interactive Tool for Assessment (Virtual Tour)
A Continuum of Literacy Learning: Components of a Literacy Program (Virtual Tour)
Read, Write, Share: Planning for Book Talks Using the Promethean Board (Virtual Tour)
Classroom Communication: A Reference Board for Ongoing Activities and Information (Virtual Tour)
Let's Vote!: Learning About Democracy Through the Selection of Classroom Jobs (Virtual Tour)
Daily Class Pledge: Building a Classroom Community (Virtual Tour)
Assistive Technology Resources: Using Computer Resources to Build Success and Confidence (Virtual Tour)
A Continuum of Math: Components of a Math Program (Virtual Tour)
Teaching for Success: Sharing Professional Books (Virtual Tour)
Smart Board Attendance: Establishing Routine by Integrating Technology (Virtual Tour)
A Classroom Sound System: Using a Microphone and Speaker for Attention, Clarity and Student Motivation (Virtual Tour)
Toobaloo and Echo Mic: Using Tools to Engage Readers and Develop Fluency (Virtual Tour)
Check For Understanding: Using a Dry Erase Board and Sock as a Quick Assessment Tool (Virtual Tour)
Library Book Selection: Promoting the Enjoyment of Reading (Virtual Tour)
Mitzvah Tree: Making Home and School Connections (Virtual Tour)
Learn About Time: Using the Daily Schedule to Develop Skills in Time (Virtual Tour)
Home and School Links: Using an Agenda Book to Increase Parent Communication (Virtual Tour)
Technology in the Classroom: Integrating Technology to Increase Motivation and Engagement (Virtual Tour)
Learning Luggage: Promoting a Home-School Connection
Anchor Charts: Promoting Independence in Applying Reading Comprehension Strategies (Virtual Tour)
Technology in the Listening Center: Motivating Literacy with iPads and QR Code Books (Virtual Tour)
Character-Building Books: Creating a Thoughtful Classroom Community with Read Alouds (Virtual Tour)
Beyond a Morning Message: Promoting Literacy and Numeracy with a Meaningful Morning Routine (Virtual Tour)
Document Camera for Shared Reading: Supporting the Development of Decoding and Fluency (Virtual Tour)
Good Fit Books in First Grade: Developing Skill and a Love for Reading through Appropriate Choices (Virtual Tour)
Borrowing Books in First Grade: Using the Home-School Connection to Develop Independent Readers (Virtual Tour)
Leveled Books in First Grade: Personalized Book Bins Increase Independence in Young Readers (Virtual Tour)
The Teacher's Library: Creating an Organized Collection of Professional and Read Aloud Books (Virtual Tour)
Cross-Curricular Classroom Library: Making Different Genres Accessible to Interest and Inspire Readers (Virtual Tour)
Classroom Computers in First Grade: Using Technology to Motivate Reading and Writing (Virtual Tour)
Setting Learning Goals: Fostering Metacognition by Discussing and Displaying Expectations (Virtual Tour)
Word Wall in First Grade: Building Sight Recognition and Spelling of High-Frequency Words (Virtual Tour)
Washroom Chart: Avoiding Interruptions and Promoting Independence (Virtual Tour)
Writing a Recount in First Grade: Empowering Students by Scaffolding a Well-Planned Writing Process (Virtual Tour)
Student Work Holders: Creating Efficient Classrooms by Building Organizational Skills (Virtual Tour)
Privacy Folders in First Grade: Preventing Distractions and Providing a Quiet Work Environment (Virtual Tour)
Word Problems in First Grade: Integrating Math and Literacy Using Success Criteria (Virtual Tour)
First-Grade Classroom News: Strengthening the Home-School Connection with a Biweekly Newsletter (Virtual Tour)
Friday Folders: Building the Home-School Connection with Meaningful Homework (Virtual Tour)
Class Jobs in First Grade: Motivating Reading while Fostering a Sense of Responsibility
(Virtual Tour)
The C in The CAFE: Building Reading Comprehension by Teaching Effective Strategies (Virtual Tour)
Real World Class Jobs: Sharing Responsibility in the Classroom (Virtual Tour)
Great Expectations!: Co-Constructing Classroom Rules to Build Community (Virtual Tour)
Bobbleheads in the Classroom: Building Community through Student Introductions (Virtual Tour)
Stay on Green!: A Point-Based Behavior Management System (Virtual Tour)
This Classroom Library is 'Bookworm Heaven'!: Supporting Research and Reading Enjoyment (Virtual Tour)
Volume Meter and Daily Schedule: Visual Tools to Establish Classroom Expectations (Virtual Tour)
Bell Work! Not a Minute to Waste!: Getting Started Right Away with Engaging Activities (Virtual Tour)
Language-Learning Wall: Creating a Visual Aid Supporting Growth in Reading and Writing Strategies (Virtual Tour)
Must-Have Teaching Resources: Math, Special Education, Community Building (Virtual Tour)
Classroom Document Camera: Supporting Instruction and Increasing Engagement (Virtual Tour)
Numbered Jerseys and Popsicle Sticks: Managing the Classroom with Ease and Fairness (Virtual Tour)
Choosing 'Just Right' Books: Selecting Books Based on Levels and Genres (Virtual Tour)
Favorite Professional Book: Using the Growth Mindset in Classrooms (Virtual Tour)
Let's Talk Community Corner: A Safe Place for Problem Solving (Virtual Tour)
Hands-On Math Center: Consolidating Student Learning (Virtual Tour)
Taking Responsibility!: Classroom Jobs Can Be Rewarding (Virtual Tour)
Learning Goals: Maximizing Student Progress (Virtual Tour)
What's Coming Up?: Displaying a Plan for the Day (Virtual Tour)
Whiteboard Messages: A Versatile Way to Display Daily Tasks (Virtual Tour)
Building Community with Parents: Overview (Virtual Tour)
The Writing Process: Step-by-Step Writing Procedures (Virtual Tour)
Math Wall: Building Understanding of Specialized Words (Virtual Tour)
Pick a Play Area: Developing Math, Language, and Literacy Skills
