4 More Easy Ways to Organize Your FACS Classroom
Have you noticed the amount of supplies are used and projects that are happening in a Family and Consumer Science classroom on a regular basis?
Maybe your classroom is full of space and storage or possibly it is old and not quite set up for today’s learning.
It has taken some tweaks and new ideas, but I feel like I am getting this organization thing down in my FACS classroom. If you notice you’re scratching your head wondering how to combat your organizational problems in a practical way, you are in the right place.
Here are 4 more easy ways to organize your FACS classroom.
Over the door shoe organizers
My kitchen is used by my district in the evenings for community classes. However, I like to store projects in each one of my five kitchens because it makes it easier for students to know where to put projects.
Cleaning up these projects when it’s time for a community class is overwhelming and a headache. Each hour has a specific kitchen to place projects. Not anyone can come in and clean up because of there is a method to the madness.
One way I found remedy this situation is to buy over the door shoe organizers.
My classroom has tall, built-in cabinets, but these shoe organizers are slightly bigger than the cabinet doors. I would much prefer to have these organizers inside the cabinet doors, but I would prefer to have the cabinet doors shut at all times.
I have a limit of 30 students in each class. On Amazon, I have found an over-the-door shoe organizer for 35 pairs of shoes. This is perfect for sewing projects!
I have numbered the shoe organizers and numbered the seats in my classroom. If you sit at number 12, then you will place your sewing project in organizer number 12 for the hour that you have my class.
I teach six sections in a day and this allowed me to purchase six different shoe organizers for under $100.
I also have my sewing scissors numbered. You can read more about that here.
Rolling computer desk
The second way that I organize is with a rolling computer cart.
I use this during cooking labs because I have found I have paperwork that include my rubric, which I use for taking attendance. I also carry a collection of pens because I never know which pen I want to write with. I always have my drink. (I love my Simply Modern tumbler). I have late passes in case we need them and usually my cell phone because I am taking pictures.
I used to put my stuff on the prep table, but one time I put my breakfast on the prep table, too, which was Greek yogurt with berries and a student thought it was one of the ingredients and was scooping it out onto their tray. This way I can keep my supplies separate than everybody else and students know exactly where my stuff is located.
Metal pegboard
The third way that I organize is with a pegboard.
This is a metal pegboard that I found on Amazon and our maintenance staff secured into the cinderblock walls. It also came with attachments.
This has been excellent to keep track of paper scissors, rulers, rotary cutters, and other supplies. I have them hanging and students know exactly where to find them….and exactly where to put them away.
I have a large cabinet with tubs that are clearly labeled for organization as well, but this is one of those easy-to-use ways to make sure that all supplies are put back in the correct location at the end of the hour.
Rolling workbench
The fourth and final way to organize is this workbench on wheelsworkbench on wheels. I also added the shelf for the workbench.
I found that this was worth the 20 additional dollars to get an electric outlet built into the table. The table plugs into the wall, and then students can plug into the table. I have plenty of outlets, but being able to find a little more space and an additional plug-in can be priceless.
This allows me to have a space that I can demonstrate sewing projects. I have a place that I can work and not use student tables, or the table that I used to hold copies.
I have had to compete for the space because students have quickly found they enjoy working at a tall table.
I was able to put this table together by myself in a matter of minutes so it’s not one of those tricky tasks that isn’t worth the purchase.
These solutions are another way I can “Lazy Genius” my organization. When 150+ students are using my classroom each day, I have to make sure I am prioritizing the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t.
Making sure students know exactly where to find things when they need them and put them back when finished is worth the money and time to create a system.
Know that I have clear spaces for the supplies I regularly use and for student projects saves me from unnecessary headaches trying to keep track of things. I hope it inspires you too!