Neat Nut!

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Neat Nut!
By JES

Here are some things I've tried:
*We use LARGE binders and pocket folders, too.
Students remove the big ring (and take it home), so our binder becomes an individual storage place for our folders, planners (required
by our district), pencils, etc. I require students to keep everything in their binders, and they take their binders home every night. That way students are sure to have their folders and parents will be able to find the planner which they are required to sign every day.
*I collect all the notebook paper and kleenex students bring in on the first day with the idea that we are sharing

supplies and space at our tables. If students bring personal items (not on the required list) such as crayons, markers, rulers, etc., they may keep them in a shoebox (plastic?) in the bottom of their lockers.
*Our district supplies rulers, scissors, glue sticks, and colored pencils. Each group gets a small pencil sharpener, a large eraser, highlighters, glue sticks, a ziploc baggy of colored pencils, and a ziploc baggy of markers. These items are stored in a plastic shoebox and kept in the middle of the group table and shared by team members. We call them our "Central Supplies." Students may put their own pencils, grading pencils, and erasers in the CS box as well, however, anything they consider personal must be kept in their binders or in their locker shoebox.
Note: These CS boxes could work for some, BUT believe it or not, I found I could not tolerate the mess that collected in the box or the space wasted by the box in the middle of the table Soooo . . . I now use a pencil cup on each table for easy access to students' pencils, grading pencils, highlighters, and group pencil sharpener and eraser. We keep scissors, colored pencils, markers, and rulers in separate containers (actually plastic freezer containers) all together on a bookshelf where they can be quickly picked up by a "materials manager" when they are needed. I've also added small bookends on each table. I've found that students who keep their literature book handy are far more likely to read when they have a moment or two to wait.
*I put a container of notebook paper out in the back of the room for easy access. Students have a supply of paper in each subject folder, but when additional paper is needed, I pass it out as we are starting a lesson or I have students do it.
*That takes care of everything we might need for the day except textbooks. Students store these in their lockers and are allowed to get them when needed. We do lots of activities that do not require textbooks so this works well for us.
Note: I have ordered a library cart and am hoping to get it before school starts this fall. I will keep textbooks on this cart which will be even more convenient than the lockers.
*One other way I found to solve storage problems, keep things accessible for students, and meet my need for as little clutter as possible is to use file crates. I stack three up in a column. The bottom two serve as storage (hidden by using colored paper to enclose the four sides) and the top crate holds a hanging file for each student. They can store works in progress in their own file. A second column of crates prepared just the same way provides additional storage and a place for students to turn in their Literature Response Journals when they are ready for me to read them.
*I really did not plan to write a book, but it is sometimes difficult to explain how a system works in a few words. I hope something I've discovered will help you. I understand your apprehension about letting your desks go. I felt the same way. It's scary to step into the unknown, but we teachers do that on a regular basis! Go for it! I think your students will love it, and I don't think you will regret the change!