Classroom Organization is more than just a pretty classroom. I feel like I sing this from the rooftops every day. Classroom Organization is all about your systems and routines that allow you to get (and stay) organized. If you want an organized classroom that will last all year long, then follow this classroom setup process.

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I don’t know about you, but the start of a new year, unpacking all your goodies, and laying out things in a new way…It just gets me really excited. I love organizing and setting things up (hence the title of my blog) and so this time of year is always really fun for me.

But I also realize the classroom setup process can be really overwhelming, especially for teachers who have a ton of stuff and may not have organized well before the end of the year.

Today we will talk about the classroom setup process that will allow you to create an organized classroom that will last all year long.

Classroom Setup Process

Anytime you are trying to get organized or set up a classroom, you need a plan! I get really bossy about this because the key to organization is having a plan and sticking to it.

If you are the teacher who scratches her head mid-November thinking “how is it still so disorganized?” it’s because you didn’t set up your classroom in an organized way. Even though these steps might feel “extra,” trust the process!

1. Start Fresh

If you are the type of person that WANTS to be organized but struggle with where to even begin, I encourage you to have a fresh start.

Think about moving EVERYTHING out of your room. Like everything. Empty the cabinets. Move the furniture out there. People will look at you like your crazy but sometimes the best way to get a fresh start is to literally move everything out and then put it back in nice and neatly.

(I’m so sorry that many of my pictures lately have been such poor quality. iPhone 4 cameras were a product of their time…but in 2020 they are definitely not the highest quality. Also, can you feel the proudness beaming off of me in that picture? I was SO proud!)

2. Layout Furniture

If you are not one of the ones who moved everything outside, then consider moving all of your boxes into one corner of your room. This will keep things from being strewn about the room and contained to one area.

Now you will be able to move your furniture about and place it where you want. Remember, when setting up a classroom you want to do furniture first, before all the cute decorations and bulletin boards. I typically start with identifying where my whole group area and student desks are going to go.

3. Establish Remaining Areas

This next step is when you will establish the remaining areas of your room. Decide where your desk, small group area, and classroom library will go.

Also, think about where you want your stations to be as well as where you will store materials. This way, when you get to step 4 you know exactly where to put things when you are unpacking.

Notice we have worked through three steps and we still haven’t actually put anything in cabinets or unpacked boxes. That’s intentional! When you take time to set up the flow of your classroom, then you create all the “homes” for when you do unpack.

4. Unpack Materials

Now you can start unpacking boxes, putting things in cabinets, and putting some materials out. Make sure to organize your cabinets by like things so that you are able to find items quickly and efficiently.

5. Decorate!

The LAST step is decorating. I encourage you to do this last for two reasons.

1. It is fun and serves as a motivator to keep you on task with the items above.
2. It is one of the most time-consuming parts of setting up a classroom because we want it to be perfect.

Just because your room is adorable and looks great, doesn’t mean it is organized well. I would rather you have a well-organized classroom for the start of the year than a “cute” classroom. You won’t have time to organize once those kids get there, so get that done first.

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When you follow the classroom setup steps listed out in this post, you set yourself up for an organized classroom that will last all year long. This is key!

Grab the free checklist to help you set up your classroom in an organized way.

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