Systems to help teachers be organised for the year ahead

It is that time of the year when the end of school holidays is looming and the reality of school going back is staring you straight in the eyes. Having worked in schools my entire career I have noticed one thing at the beginning of each year, teachers are so organised. Everything in the classroom is colour-coded, storage areas for everything right down to counters and beads. Everything is clearly labeled and there are hardly any posters on the walls! It is evident that each teacher has vowed that this year they are going to stay on top of the mess that reveals itself over the course of the year.

But to be fair I have been in classrooms where the classroom looks like it has come straight from a professional organisers Instagram page, week 1, week 10, and even right through to week 39. What I have come to learn is the secret to these organised classrooms that stay that way throughout the year is 1 thing; adherence to the system.

I know, how boring! Systems, that's it. Creating them and sticking to them. That's it. It sounds easy, it is easy but it takes discipline from you and your students. The benefits of reducing visual and environmental clutter for teachers and students range from;

•  improving concentration
•  enhancing focus
•  learning independence
•  minimising anxiety
•  encouraging positive life skills
•  supporting transitions

With benefits like these, creating, following, and sticking to a simple organisational system in your classroom can be the difference between having a chaotic classroom or a calm classroom.

As you are planning your systems for the year ahead the systems you create need to be simple for you to follow, simple for your students to understand, and action and simple for any other teachers who will teach in your classroom to also follow. Some of the areas you can create a simple system for include;

•  Keeping the class library tidy and accessible
•  Keeping writing materials sharpened
•  Set up and clearly identify work zones such as a quiet space, reading zone, and group work zones
•  Your own workspace and desk (so it doesn't become a dumping ground!)
•  Put up a class visual schedule with the cards easy to access
•  A class helper for specific roles that are allocated on Monday morning for the week ahead
•  This is an oldy but a goody, use a cleanup/reset song (doesn't matter the year level you teach), that signals clean up time where everything is put back where it belongs
•  An end-of-day wind-down system for you even if you have bus duty. Set up a system that stops you from taking work home each night.
•  Use a calendar/planner/diary/online program that helps you to know what is happening and when it is happening in your school. The events will change but having a structure will help you better plan and prepare for the week, month, term, ahead.

Remember, the simpler the system the easier it is to follow, for you and your students. Even when you are tired or pushed for time follow the system so you can finish each day calmly and start each day with focus.

Wishing you a calm start to the school year!

Angela

P.S Creating systems to look after your health and wellbeing is important too. Here is an article I wrote helping teachers build their team of support.