How do you store all of your centers and stuff?
Tip #1: Use the right containers!
Tip 2: Ziploc Bags are great for individual centers!
Each individual center activity is stored in Zip-Loc bags. I use the gallon size bags with the red slider on top. The gallon size is perfect for holding the pieces AND recording sheets. Everything it zipped up nice and neat so when I pull a center from the box, it’s ready to go. I keep all of the extra recording sheets in the bags when I put the center away so when I pull it out next year, it’s ready to go.
For centers with no recording sheet, I use the quart size bags!
The slider is the trick. They ‘staches can easily zip them open and closed. And yes, this is a procedure we practice. At the beginning of the year, I model how to zip and unzip. I model what happens if we do it too hard. And we practice. We pass the bags around and practice zipping it open and close!
Tip 3: Sort by SKILL!
I sort my centers by SKILL and not theme or holiday. Why skill you ask?? Well, when I need a center for a certain skill, I can just go to the box for that skill and pull something. For me, it’s a lot easier than digging through December/Christmas stuff looking for addition centers.
The storage tubs or boxes are labeled by SKILL so I know exactly where to go to put away a center and get a new center for each skill!
So, Mr. Greg what are the categories for your center organization?
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13 comments
I store my stuff by month and theme – I have something for each skill we work for each theme, I usually make 10 centers at once – i just change out the clip art and re-save it so that each center I make is usable any time of year. This way if we hit a skill earlier then I expect, or later than I expect I can still pull out one to go with my monthly or weekly theme – I hate seeing Pumpkins at Thanksgiving or Santa in January etc.
My problem is that I have no place to put the storage boxes and the little place that I do have is so high up, I can't reach! I also have a lot of games that require the use of manipulatives that I like to keep with them, but they are sometimes so large that the lids don't go on.
This is my project for this summer…pulling out all of my centers and grouping them by skill. I currently have them by month/theme. I was looking through blogs looking for inspiration. I think I will also be using plastic bins. I do have a closet with shelves the trick is going to be finding bins to fit the metal shelving unit from ancient times! For some of the bigger centers with bulkier items, I use 2 gallon ziplocs:)
This is basically what I do too…mine are not so neat though…You're so organized!
This is basically what I do too…mine are not so neat though…You're so organized!
I find that regular ziplocks are not tall enough for the paper. Are sliders taller?
Thank you for the help
I use the gallon zie bags
This was beyond helpful to read! I have so many materials, but my organization methods are not so great. When you buy the bins, are you able to find them on sale or use coupons? Just got married and am moving, so money is tight, but I’d love to implement a similar system!
Always try to buy on sale or use coupons!
I was just wondering how long your centers are? How long do the students stay between the two choices?
1 hour. If they finish a center, they can just move on to another one within their color!
Wondering how the centers stay out so long? Do the kiddos repeat them and fill out the corresponding sheet again? Do you photocopy all the sheets when you rotate the centers?
The center wheel rotates them through the different centers so they aren’t staying in the same center. However, they can’t move on to a different center until they finish the center they started. This is managed by requiring them to complete their recording sheet that is in the unfinished basket. Once they complete it, they put it in their cubby and take it home. The blank recording sheets are in the corresponding tub with the center.