Elementary Classroom Hacks for Back to School

Classroom teachers have tricks and shortcuts we use each day.  We need things to help manage and protect time, supplies, organization and classroom management.  According to Merriam-Webster "Hack is to manage successfully or a creative solution."  Here are some classroom hacks to help with a variety of things in your elementary classroom.

* Use old (clean) socks for keeping dry erase markers.  Students have an instant eraser and you don't have to make a decision about which color to pick.

* Use drink carriers from fast food places to organize supplies for activities.  Plastic cups can be put in the cup holders for easy organization and quick pass out of supplies to groups.

* Duct tape and washi tape can add a splash of fun and color to book shelves, file cabinets or desks.

* Repurpose used plastic containers (diaper wipes, baby quick dissolve snacks, large coffee cans) for storage of manipulatives and art supplies.

* Use old textbooks or newspapers to find text features, spelling words, vocabulary words, sentence structure examples and graphs.  Students can cut these out to create class posters.

* Use old calendars to practice math.  Have students write numbers (examples are already there) or practice addition/subtraction/multiplication strategies for math facts.

* Cut apart comic strips for students to practice sequencing.  You can also give them the first frame or two and have them finish the story for writing practice.

* Pick up extra supplies from garage sales and back-to-school sales. Always have an extra ready for students who misplace item. Remember the focus is to keep the lesson moving forward. Find individual times to teach organization and responsibility.

* Use a container for "sharpened" and "not sharpened" pencils. Have students place pencils in the container for sharpening or take one when their pencil breaks.

* Take a picture of your books, art supplies or anything else students will be responsible for putting away. Having a picture reference will help ensure items are put back the way you want.

* Teaching is like playing the whack-a-mole game at Chuck E. Cheese while balancing your pizza and drink. Our plates are always full and anything that can save time impacts learning. What hacks do you use in your elementary classroom?