The Lesson Plan Diva

Teaching Resources and Ideas

Center Organization Linky Party

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Okay being a teacher blog addict you acquire several problems such as an abundance of centers and games! Not only do I have a ton of my own things but I have a ton from a lot of other talented bloggers out there in blog land! So what is a girl to do??

Well right now mine is organized in these large green tubs from Target. It works well because I can access them easily. Each center is in a gallon ziplock bag and labeled with the name and they are in ABC order. I really love it, but I am outgrowing these tubs! There are probably about 100 centers in each tub!

I need to either A. Find bigger tubs! or B. Find a new system! How do you organize your centers and games? Link up with some photos!

To participate in this Linky Party PLEASE abide by linky party etiquette guidelines. You must attach a post, mention this linky party and add my link to it. Link it to the direct post and NOT your homepage of your blog. If these rules are not followed you will be deleted! Thanks in advance!

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Comments

  6. Great post. I was just thinking about this today. So far, my system will not work if I need to retrieve anything quickly. I am keeping these centers in too many different places. Can't wait to see all the organized centers properly stored and labeled.

  9. Oh my goodness, I was just staring around my room and wondering what new system I should begin as I feel like mine is becoming cumbersome and unorganized. Thank you SO much for posting this on the very same day I was baffled! Can't wait to see what everyone does in their room!

  10. I agree with your green tub problem. I am somewhat organizing my centers in containers, but the more I buy from TpT and create on my own, I'm running out of room so right there, there's a few here and a few there! Epic Fail!

    I'll be linking up tomorrow after I take pictures. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's awesome systems.

    Jamie at 2nd Grade Stuff

  12. Thanks for sharing! I'm getting ready to completely organize my centers and units. I've already finished organizing all of my teacher files on my computer (what a task!) and now it's onto the real deal. I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone else organizes theirs so I can get some ideas! Thanks again!

    Kayla
    Primary Junction

  14. Right now I don't have too many so they are in large manilla envelopes and in a wicker basket. But it is about full, so I was thinking about using the magazine organizer things. You know the cardboard ones that help floppy magazines and notebooks stand up. But I don't want to invest in that though if it's not a good idea. I can't wait to hear everyone else's.

  15. I haven't done this, but it's in my plan. Some of my coworkers have their "work stations" -we don't call them centers any more- organized by standard. With Common Core coming next year for a lot of us, this seemed like a good idea. She has a "Time" tub, "Money" tub, "Number Sense", "Facts", "Problem Solving" etc. Maybe having tubs set up like that would help people see if they had too many centers for one topic and not enough for another? Just an idea and I'd love to hear other's views on this since I am also trying to organize and am not sure how. (I taught middle school and am now in primary)

  16. I use hanging plastic totes and the wire storage rack from Really Good Stuff. I label each bag with a standard. Each bag is large enough to hold two or three centers. I put the wife racks on a low bookshelf and any manipulatives that go with those centers are on the bottom shelf. That way everything is in one place.

  17. Yes I have my math work stations (I still call them centers though..lol) set up that way…by subject. They are all in tubs and I rotate the math work stations according to subject. That is why I put my centers in ABC order to see what I have a lot of and in what in subject. That part really helps!

  19. I used money I get from my PTSO. One rack and 12 bags is $30. I ca fit several centers in each bag. I have one rack and 24 bags for math and the same for literacy skills. I am getting ready to order more bags. I believe each rack can hold up to 70 bags. It is expensive up front but in the long run its worth it. This system will last for a long time and it's so easy to use and keep organized.

  21. Would crates work better. Our school has centers in a central location that we can go and check them out. Room is my issue. I do not have a place to keep them if I had them.

  22. I have a large clear bin with a lid that I have my games organized by topic for math. Addition, 100 boards, place Value etc. My center tubs are numbered and students know which tub they are assigned to. The students are responsible for cleaning up and returning tub is it place. Students enjoy being in charge of the tubs.

  23. I started laminating 9×11 manila envelopes since my ziplocks were looking beat up. Use an exacto knife to open up the pocket and voila! Bought 100 at office depot for $6. Works wonderfully and keeps better than ziplock bags IMHO. =)

  26. You could possibly use crates then add the seating to the top. The crates will now work double duty! They slide easily under tables & shelves or can replace some seating in centers done with chairs! This will be one of my MANY summer projects!

  27. Love, love, love this idea. I was thinking of getting crates this summer for my guided reading table and now I think I will just so I can double them as storage. Thanks

  28. Last year, I bought medium size bins with tops from Target for about $2.86 each. I labeled them by domain (Measurement, Numbers, etc) I put all the centers that go along with that strand into the buckets and they store easily on a shelf or stack up against a wall. I have limited space as well.