Procedures for Keeping Supplies Organized

One of my first day of school procedures is the supply caddies. Keeping the caddies organized and putting supplies up is a behavior that should not be assumed, but taught and positively reinforced.

Step 1: Teach the Expected Behavior

I start by having each table dump the contents of the containers out. I ask them to identify what they see-glue, giant eraser, rulers, scissors, highlighters, protractors, compasses, etc.

I draw a two dimensional layout of the caddie on the whiteboard and ask them where they think the best place for the given tools should be. Some students will try to change it up, but after a discussion students come to an agreement that the original placement is best. This gave my students that sense of ownership for where the tools should go.

I then have students place the items one at a time in the baskets making sure that all students participate in the placement of the tools into the caddies. (Not hard, because all students want to touch and play with the tools.)

Step 2: Positive Reinforcement

I look for students demonstrating the proper procedure and behaviors and use a three step acknowledge approach.

1. Say the student's name.

2. Thank them for the appropriate behavior and procedure.

3. Finish by identifying the specific task.

Example: "Sean, thank you for closing the glue and putting it back in the right spot. I appreciate that."

Trust me, it's not silly or a waste of time. In the seconds it takes to identify that behavior, I have praised a student, set an example, identified a positive behavior, and hopefully corrected the negative behavior being done by Katie next to him.

It usually works because students become my supply caddie monitors. I'll see students correcting their neighbors poor behavior and demonstrating the correct procedure.

Step 3: Make a Quick General Statement

Sometimes, the positive reinforcement is above their heads; so, I'll make a general statement to the class. I only acknowledge the behavior for a quick second, and then I will thank the student for the positive behavior demonstrated.

Example:

My least favorite behavior is the slapping of ultra flex rulers. I thought by using ultra flex rulers I would avoid the wooden rulers spinning on the end of pencils scenario. Instead, I introduced another fun behavior-slapping, bending, rolling, etc of the ultra flex rulers.

General statement: "Thank you for putting the rulers back in the baskets." And I keep teaching. Most of the time, either the students corrects their negative behavior or their neighbor elbows them.

Step 4: Make a Quick Specific Statement

I definitely have this one kid that is oblivious to all things unless specifically addressed with an explicit statement.

Example: "Dawn, scissors down please, thank you." OR "Dawn, thank you for putting the scissors up."

I have found that when I thank students for a behavior I expect to see, they comply with a smile. However, if I order a student to do something, it has a negative affect.

Another trick of the trade is to provide them with a reason.

Example: "Fred, thank you for closing the glue. We wouldn't want it to dry out and use your project/supply money to replace it." (They hate wasting their project/supply fund.)

Step 5: Reteach the Expected Behavior

Sometimes, a student needs to be retaught an expected behavior. I usually keep them after class for the few minutes it takes to:

• check and close all glue bottle lids for the classroom
• dump out and reorganize the supply caddy for their table
• demonstrate the appropriate behavior for handling a specific tool

I have only had to do this a few times.

 

Another behavior I have had to deal with is writing on my tables. A student thought writing on the tables was allowed. I held him after class and had him clean all tables to show him the lengths I go through to keep tables clean.

 

Added Note: I have been called a supply nazi, which is not appropriate; but I know, they know I mean business.

 

I never let an inappropriate behavior slip without identifying and providing them with the expected behavior.

 

Language:

CRAP! say "Stuff!"

Shut-up! say "Hush my angel!"

 

Action:

Student throws a pencil to another. I make them redo the exchange by handing the pencil to each other.

 

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"...bouquet of newly sharpened pencils..."

School Supplies!!! I know I'm a little late to the game. I have been keeping myself buried in tutoring and curriculum building.

I just happened to find myself in Walmart for the first time in about a month, when I stumbled upon the seasonal aisle and found heaven. I was in awe. My significant other gave up and walked away.

The beginning of school and fall is my favorite time of the year. Every year, my mom and I kick back and watch You've Got Mail before school starts. When I see school supplies I think of that line in the movie where Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) says, "Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address. On the other hand, this not knowing has its charms."

The beginning of school and fall is when my year turns anew and is full of possibilities. One of the tasks I enjoy doing is shopping for school supplies. I haven't been very in depth with my shopping experience this year, so I don't have much to share. If you do, please share!!!

For my first year, I did most of my shopping at Staples. They had the best deals and opportunities for educators. Sadly, I no longer live close to one. This year, I did most of my conservative school supply shopping at the following stores:

Walmart: Bright colored composition books $0.50, expo markers

Dollar Tree: 'teacher journal' composition book, tons of random baskets and tubs

HEB: bold bic pens in multiple colors, basic black composition books $0.50 (they also have them with glitter)

I always buy extra composition books and have them available for the students that couldn't afford to get their own.

Two years ago, I couldn't find these little supplies caddies anywhere. Now, they're everywhere and in a variety of colors. Most of the small ones are just a $1. Those are my favorites.

I have really had to curb my school supply addiction. When we moved the last time, I packed a 8 cubic ft box of writing utensils.

Love love love school supplies!

 

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Supplies... Key to Journaling!

SUGGESTIONS?!? Anyone?

For some reason, I cannot type in the reply comment box through my iPad and my iPad is all I have to work with.

A fellow expert in her field added a comment:

Jessica MonahanJune 26, 2013 at 5:42 PM

"I decided to try journals with my kids this year. It lasted about two weeks before all of the scissors, glue, markers, etc that I had bought for the "supply" baskets disappeared. I had spent hundreds of dollars and wasn't replacing it so the journals went away. I explained to the kids that these weren't for the taking but they disregarded me. Any ideas for solving this problem? I am an old teacher. I'm very comfortable being the sage on the stage so out of the box thinking is very new for me and everything I try, blows up. I work with VERY inner city kids who do not bring their own supplies...ever."

I wish that I had all the answers. All I can do is share some thoughts and reflections.

I purchased supply 'caddies' from Dollar Tree for $1 EACH. I have seen them elsewhere such as K-mart, Wal-mart, Target, etc. These helped me to organize and quickly count supplies before dismissing class.

Each caddy consists of three

• bottles of glue (always liquid, it's cheaper and holds better)
• small safety scissors (They may be highschool students, but I found that the smaller the scissors, the less time the scissors spend in their hands.)
• highlighters
• ultraflex rulers
• safety compass
• mini protractors

The following images are ones that I pulled from a google image search and do not reflect what my baskets consist of. My baskets remain on my classroom tables where the students sit.

Thought the above image was a neat idea for storing the baskets. The teacher used 3m plastic hooks.

IDEAS:

My second year students purchased one supply of their choice to contribute. This sort of brought out some ownership from them and they didn't disappear.

STAPLES: My first year, Staples had amazing sales and as a teacher they would let you get 15 to 30 of penny/quarter items instead of a limit of one. (Must have evidence that you are a teacher.)

The caddies made a difference in organization and counting of supplies.

I am extremely particular when it comes to objects in my class. My saying: "Don't jack with my stuff!" I watch students like hawk. Supplies stay in the basket until needed. If I see one out or used without need, I tell the student to put it back and continue teaching without pause.

Modifying behavior: I start day one with what is supposed to be in the basket and before they leave each day we make sure everything is put up and accounted for.

For middle school and freshmen, a colleague of mine assigned supply managers every other week. The supply manager was in charge of getting the basket and accounting for the supplies for each table when class was dismissed.

Journaling is a daily event of my class. The only day the journals are not used is on testing days. The journals are turned in for a major grade.

 

If anyone has strategies, advice, and/or success stories, please share!

 

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