If you’re like me, you’re preparing for the upcoming school year with to-do lists and outlines, especially for your classroom management plan. Keep in mind that no matter how elaborate your incentive systems or expectations are, you still need to make sure that your classroom is setting you up for success. These six classroom systems will keep your classroom organized and running smoothly:

1. Turn-in bin

While this may seem obvious, it can be easy to let it slip through the cracks during the chaos of the beginning of the year! Make sure that you have a designated space where students turn in their completed work. You can use a stackable organizer, hanging file, or hanging wall file, depending on your space and students. Make sure to clearly label each subject or period so that students know where to place their work. I recommend placing your turn-in bin in an easy-to-find location (not the corner). This system will save you time and keep your students responsible for turning in their own work.

2. Bathroom check-out

A whole system for the bathroom? Can’t students just ask to go?

While bathroom usage is likely the least of your worries right now, it is more significant than you think! Without a system, you are relying on your memory in the midst of classroom chaos to remember how many students are out of the room, and exactly who they are. This may not seem like a big deal until you realize you told 4 students yes, or you have a fire drill and can’t remember which students are getting a drink.

There are many ways you can create a check-out system. Some people use passes, which students have to get from the teacher’s desk. This would still involve you fielding “Can I go to the bathroom?” questions and trying to remember who is out. For older students, some teachers create a bathroom monitor job. The bathroom monitor is responsible for distributing the hall pass and remembering who is out. Another method is the number system, which may be helpful for elementary teachers. On a magnetic surface (whiteboard, door frame, cabinet) have student numbers and a bathroom label. When a student needs to use the restroom, they place their number on the checkout. This method saves you time and allows you to see who is out at a time.

The system I use involves a dry-erase board. When students need to check out, they write their name or initials on the board and go. When they return, they erase the board. This way I can keep track of who is gone without being interrupted to answer bathroom questions! Here is the poster I use for my bathroom checkout system!

3. Bell Ringers/Jumpstarts

The best time to set the tone for class is when students first walk in. If there is no clear direction, your class is likely to descend into disorder and chaos. That’s why I recommend using Bell Ringers or Jumpstarts to start your day off strong. When students come in, have a question or task displayed on the whiteboard or smartboard. You can call them Bell Ringers, Jumpstarts, or another fun name I haven’t thought of!

Giving your students a question to ponder or task to complete will set the tone for the rest of your class. I recommend setting a timer for your Bell Ringer. Once the timer is over, review the question/task and move onto your main lesson.

4. Supply Station

Once your lesson starts, you likely expect students to have their supplies out and ready (that may even be your Bell Ringer). What if they don’t have the supplies? It is best to be ready for the inevitable, “Can I borrow a ___?” For this reason, I like to keep class sets of the supplies I use regularly in my class, including glue sticks, markers, scissors, and white boards (find my favorite classroom supplies here!). I recommend creating a supplies station where students can find all the necessary materials for your class. You can create a check out system (which I describe in #5) or allow students to take and return as needed. For most supplies, I use an honor system.

I organize my materials with a rotating caddy. I love this one because it has removable sections that students can take to their desks easily.

5. Pencil check-out

Giving students supplies is wonderful, until you’re two months into the school year and run out of everything you own (I’m pretty sure my students eat my glue sticks). If this is happening to you and you don’t have an endless supply of cash, I recommend using a check-out system.

After losing most of my mechanical pencils, I implemented a pencil check-out system. I filled a magnetic holder with pencils. Next to it, I kept a white board sign-in sheet. If students needed a pencil in class, all they had to do was write their name on the board and take one. When class was over, they returned the pencil and erased their name. If class was dismissed and there were still names on the board, students lost class points. This allowed students to get the supplies they needed while also holding them accountable.

6. Early finisher station

Ideally, our students should be working bell-to-bell. Down time usually leads to boredom and misbehavior. I’d love to say that all of my lessons are perfectly planned to last exactly 45 minutes, but we all know they aren’t. Some students finish assignments quickly, while others need 3-5 business days. To prevent students from distracting themselves or others, I make sure to keep early finisher activities on hand!

My early finisher station includes content-based and mindful activities that students can work on once they have finished their assignments. From coloring sheets to map practice, these activities ensure that every student is on task. You can even offer class points or other incentives to encourage students to work on these activities.

That's all! Implementing these 6 classroom systems will help you create a structured, efficient learning environment for you and your students!