Let’s Get Organized!
Many of us have a ton of TpT materials….so now that we have all of these downloads…how do we get organized? Here is a photo of what I do with my materials.
You don’t even have to have everything laminated or cut. Just print out your downloads. Determine what size envelope you will need. Is there a game board? Are there full-sized worksheets? Maybe you have a set of cards that do not require storage in a large envelope. The next step is to find manila envelopes! I try to have those on hand in two sizes: one size that fits 8.5 X 11 sheets of paper and a smaller size that is roughly half that size. Earlier Jenna over at Speech Room News wrote a post about printing. I print each cover page included with each download-full size if a larger envelope will be needed, half size if a smaller envelope will work. Next, the cover page is glued onto the appropriate envelope. Finally, I take the envelopes to school to laminate. The personal laminators do not work well for this due to the thickness of the envelopes. Put your materials (ready or not) inside and voila…you are good-to-go! With items that are not yet ready to use, they are at least labeled and in one location when I need them.
For book companions, or other materials that are theme-related, I used large plastic bags. One of my schools (I’m at THREE), they have a room that is basically a dumping ground. There are many heavy-duty plastic bags left that used to contain materials that are out-dated. I collected a lot of those and you can see below how I use them. Here is a picture of my materials for the Jan Brett book “The Hat.”
Now you are probably thinking: “What does she do with ALL of those envelopes?” Yes, well, the easiest method to organize those is by season or theme. I have bins for each. For the “bigger” seasons, like Christmas, I have more than one bin. The bins are small enough that I can put one on the back seat of my car and haul it easily from school-to-school. Sometimes, I have to go to three schools in one day, so it has to be portable. If I am working with one theme, say arctic animals, a bin may not be needed. I have a enough different materials to meet virtually any goal for PS-6th grade and can put those into one large bag.
Communication Station: Speech Therapy, PLLC says
LOVE how you organize your TpT goodies! I have an idea brewing and it's inspired by you! Thanks for sharing ๐
admin says
Oooh-you will have to let me know when you post about the idea! ๐
Jenna Rayburn says
I love it! And I spy my Brown Bear Unit! I've been thinking about switching up my storage, because my big unit slide out of my gallon ziplocks! But I like that they are see through! No perfect way I guess! Thanks for linking up!
Jenna
admin says
Oh yes, love your Brown Bear packet! Sometimes I use BOTH the laminated envelopes AND the large bags. Thanks for hosting!
Mary Cooper says
3 schools? You HAVE to be organized to do that! I've used folders before (for the Brennan Bear series) and have used regular folders. I'm still trying to decide what to use for my TpT materials. Thanks for the ideas!
http://oldschoolspeech.blogspot.com/
SLP Runner says
Thanks for linking up Tracy! Great ideas.