Limited space is always an issue when setting up your classroom. I made the decision last year to get rid of my teacher desk. It was big, bulky, and took up a whole corner of my room! Instead of having a traditional teaching desk, I use my small group table for when I need a place to work. I keep all of my curriculum and files inside my cupboard and I use a little rolling utility card to hold my supplies.
The first thing to note is that this desk doubles as a teacher work space AND small group meeting area. I have my computer and lesson plans within arm's reach so I can access them if needed. I also keep all of my students' small group supplies close by as well! Most importantly, I have my Cactus Tumbler filled with my favorite Crayola Twisables Colored Pencils! Doesn't every teacher need colorful utensils to write with?! ;)
Here is where I keep my supplies for the day. I have a three-teared utility cart that I keep organized for personal and student use. The top section of the cart is for my supplies. I have my office supplies organized in different containers, including the adorable Cactus Tumblers. I use a Black Classroom Book Organizer to store my lesson plan binder and computer.
The middle section is for my manipulatives that I will be using with the students that day. You can see the Neon Tall Storage Baskets with Handles fit perfectly to store the Fraction Tower Equivalency Set, that we will be using for math, and Dry Erase Markers. I can easily grab these supplies to work with my small group.
The bottom level is for any curriculum, worksheets or task cards I will be using that day. I can organize my task cards in the Neon Tall Storage Baskets with Handles and have my handouts stored in the Black Book Organizer. My favorite part is where we store the student's small group bin. This is a peek inside my closet, and each student is given a Black Classroom Book Organizer.
When it is time for their small group rotation, they grab their Black Classroom Book Organizer and meet me at the table! This keeps things organized, easy to find, and is a QUICK way for our group to get started!
Here's what is inside the Black Classroom Book Organizers. Each student has a Paint Chip Pocket Folder that keeps their small group handouts. Included in their book organizer is a Be You Pencil Case, white board, Dry Erase Marker and Mini Dry Erase Eraser. This is everything they need to have a successful small group session! The Black Classroom Book Organizer can also hold their Chrome Book if they need to bring that to our small group session as well!
I hope these ideas have inspired you to get creative with the space you utilize in your own classroom!