If you have seen pictures of my classroom, it is evident that I don’t have a “traditional” classroom. I don’t have tables and I don’t have desks. Which, when I first moved to this layout, it made me rethink how I did supplies. I had my kids put their supply buckets in their cubbies. That worked until I moved to PreK and our cubbies are overflowing with nap mats and blankets. But, I think I came up with a pretty good system!
All the supplies that my kids use the most I keep in these Clear Round Containers with Lids. When my kids are at centers, they can easily grab them and get the supplies that they need. I have them all on a shelf that is easily accessible by my kiddos.
So if they are using dry erase pockets, they just grab the bucket with the erasers and markers. If they are at the writing center with the alphabet stamps, they just grab the bucket. And, if they have the playdoh mats, they grab the bucket with the playdoh in them. This is also an idea way to use when my kids are all on the carpet, and we are doing a work page. They grab a clipboard from our Clipboard Organizer, then they grab either crayons, scissors or glue out of the Clear Round Containers with Lids and off to work they go!
I also have some exploration boxes set up that are easy to grab if my kiddos get done with their work early. My exploration boxes are simple centers that focus on fine motor skills. All of our activities focus on the pinching motion. This exploration box uses Fine Motor Tool set, pom poms and a bucket. Since changing to the community supplies, I have found it to really help my classroom management. Transition time is easier, and my room is much more tidy because there aren't supplies everywhere!