Organizing Big Box Curriculum

Do you have to follow a more "scripted" language arts program?  Has your district ordered new curriculum? Here are a few tips to keep you organized.

Well, once you've unpacked, I am sure you will realize that almost everything is bundled together and you will need to sort it.  This takes a considerable amount of time.

First, designate a spot where you will keep the items.  I prefer to keep the boxes because I lack storage space.

Next, organize the materials that you need the most first.  In my case, these were the Teacher's Manuals, Anthology Read Aloud manual as well as leveled and decodable readers.

Our language arts curriculum also includes alphabet and initial sound cards, key vocabulary cards, oral retelling cards, and Interactive Read Aloud cards.

Whew! That's a lot of stuff!

To help me keep organized and save my sanity for years to come, each week I organized a little at a time.  I used these file folders and placed all the items that I needed for the week inside.  Most of these were teaching items (vocabulary cards, retell cards, etc.).  I also added any other items that I used to supplement the curriculum including printables or items that I created.  I housed each of these file folders in a crate which I kept by my guided reading table.

Now, as I plan each week, I have my materials all in one spot for teaching as well as I have other materials that I may or may not use at my disposal.

How do you stay organized?  Share a tip.

Happy Organizing!