25 Clever Classroom Tips for Elementary School Teachers

enhanced-buzz-22640-1374087309-11Thank you to BuzzFeed DIY for this cool list!

1. A cute way to separate students into groups: Hershey’s Kisses and colored dots.

A cute way to separate students into groups: Hershey's Kisses and colored dots.

Kids who get the same colored dots get grouped together.

Or put colored bracelets into a paper bag and have kids select one.

Or put colored bracelets into a paper bag and have kids select one.

2. Use paint chips on a keychain to keep track of classroom logins.

3. Use the Remind101 app to communicate with kids and their parents without having to exchange numbers.

Use the Remind101 app to communicate with kids and their parents without having to exchange numbers.

Source: remind101.com

4. Make your student a reminder bracelet when you really want them to remember something.

Make your student a reminder bracelet when you really want them to remember something.

5. Use a straw dispenser for pencils.

Use a straw dispenser for pencils.

This way, the picky kids don’t rifle through the pencil bin trying to find the “perfect” one.

6. Make a four-pocket folder by combining a folder with brads with a plain two-pocket folder.

Make a four-pocket folder by combining a folder with brads with a plain two-pocket folder.

More pockets for more subjects! Get the directions here.

7. Use binder clips instead of stickers to organize shelves.

Use binder clips instead of stickers to organize shelves.

This way you can swap categories out easily for reorganization.

8. Glue a pom-pom on the end of a dry-erase marker to create a makeshift eraser.

Glue a pom-pom on the end of a dry-erase marker to create a makeshift eraser.

9. Make a “No Name” board for homeless homework.

Make a "No Name" board for homeless homework.

10. Use a magnetic spice jar to save box tops.

Use a magnetic spice jar to save box tops.

11. Soak your clothespins in RIT dye to make color-coded clothespins.

Soak your clothespins in RIT dye to make color-coded clothespins.

12. Keep paint in squeeze ketchup bottles.

Keep paint in squeeze ketchup bottles.

13. For less mess, place the paint and brushes in Starbucks cups.

For less mess, place the paint and brushes in Starbucks cups.

14. Make extra cubby holes by zip-tying plastic crates together.

Make extra cubby holes by zip-tying plastic crates together.

15. Use outdoor mounting tape for heavy things like bulletin boards.

Use outdoor mounting tape for heavy things like bulletin boards.

It’s super, super strong.

16. Use binder clips to separate flash cards.

Use binder clips to separate flash cards.

17. Felt chair footies keep floors from marking the floor and making too much noise.

All you need is felt and rubber bands. Get the directions here.

18. Instead of messy bottles of glue, make a glue sponge.

Instead of messy bottles of glue, make a glue sponge.

The students can just dab their shapes onto the sponge. It’ll keep for a really long time, as long as you spritz it with water and flip the sponge over every so often. Get more directions here.

The painter’s tape doesn’t leave a residue.

20. Vinyl cutouts on tables can be written on with dry erase markers.

Vinyl cutouts on tables can be written on with dry erase markers.

21. Instead of giving students bathroom passes, place a tag on their desk when they leave to go to the bathroom.

Instead of giving students bathroom passes, place a tag on their desk when they leave to go to the bathroom.

This way, you can keep track of who’s out and the students aren’t spreading germs with grimy bathroom passes.

You could also do this with a bottle of hand sanitizer so you know they have clean hands after using the bathroom. And don’t forget to tie a rubber band around the neck so you get child-sized squirts every time.

22. Use bathmats to establish personal space during reading time.

Use bathmats to establish personal space during reading time.

23. Watch this tutorial on how to print on post-it notes to use for labeling.

Watch this tutorial on how to print on post-it notes to use for labeling.

Source: youtube.com

24. Make a physical activity cube for restless kids.

Make a physical activity cube for restless kids.

Get the directions here.

25. Have a reading fair instead of a science fair.

Have a reading fair instead of a science fair.

Check out some really awesome projects here.

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