Time to Organize
Posted by Debra Liverman on 26 Aug 2008 | Posted in: The Mailbox Books
Although the surface of my desk may not always show it, I would certainly call myself organized. Of course, I was not always that way. My years as a teacher sharpened those skills. Being organized simplified my planning time and helped me feel confident and prepared for each day.
Imagine sitting down to plan for the month and having a resource containing monthly organizing tools, ready-to-go learning centers, and skill practice pages, as well as ideas for bulletin boards, time fillers, arts and crafts, games, and more. That’s our Organize Now! series. Each book gives you the organization tools you need for a successful month. I’ve included some sample pages below. For those of you who have used one of these books before, I’d love to hear how it has helped you get organized. Or if you think you might like this book, tell me why.
Congratulations to Karen Graham! She is the lucky winner of an Organize Now! book!
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Organize September Now! Preschool Organize September Now! Grades K-1
sample page table of contents skills grid Organize September Now! Grades 2-3 sample page table of contents skills grid |
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I could use some organization, anything to help keep my work in order is great.
I have an in home daycare and love the organize now books . They have wonderful ideas and its easy to gear them up or down to fit the different age groups in an at home daycare. Thank you for making the series.
I have trouble keeping track of papers and even what does get filed, doesn’t always get labeled right away so I have a color code sysyrm that helps when I am looking for something. I use the following colors: green(curriculum); red(testing); blue(staff dev.); orange(textbooks); and yellow(school info). How do I keep track of the colors? I used what made sense to me: green=growth which comes from curriculum; red=stop and test info is confidential; blue=dreary mood most teachers get in when having to sit in meetings all day; yellow=school color; and orange=only color left in the box! That way if I am filing something, I can quickly pull out the corresponding color file folder and file it. On the other hand, if I’m looking for something, say test data for instance, I can narrow my search to the file cabinet drawer with the red folders! (Curriculum is broad so each subject area has its own file drawer of green folders.)
I file when I ask the kids to line up for lunch or a special. They take 2-3 min. to get ready so I put that time to good use!
We did not publish a Grades 4 or 5 book. However, we do have our Monthly Idea Books series at the intermediate level. Check them out!
Do you have a 4th-5th book? All I see are 2-3 and down. Thanks
Thank you for all of the up to date and standards based teaching ideas. I always find new and usable ideas for my students that supports the new curriculum we use in both reading and math. I like the Organize Now– by the month books. It is helpful especially in Kinder as I still like to do things with a theme focus..I have been a subscriber for years to Mailbox and the last four years I have added on Teacher’s Companion. I was just at the Kinder grade level meeting today with my new TC in hand…and one of the newer kinder teachers said,”Oh, are you subscribing again?” It is always a hit to add something new. We all know that the great ideas come from colleagues around the country that we haven’t met, but we love what you print.
Thanks again!
Lorelei
It would have been great to win the free Organize Now book! Unfortunately, I didn’t receive the email until Sept. 10 and the drawing was on Sept. 9.
I keep up with filing by packing up for the day place my keys on my desk and file for only 5 minutes… then out the door I go.
Teacher’s desk … I use it for my 2 (sometimes working) computers or I ask that it be removed. I never get to sit down anyway and I lose the whole desk to a pile of organized clutter in less than an hour! If I can’t use the desk then at least my class can use it, especially if I am required to keep it.
I am one of those teacher who put things down and loose items keep getting lost. Finally I have decided to tack it up by my desk area on the wall if it is important papers. Then I now have in, out , file box on my desk. Hopefully this will help
Curriculum has changed sooo dramatically over the past few years, that anything I can get my hands on to make my teaching day better is GREAT! Thank you!
Robin
Having taught for 13 years, I’ve seen our curriculum change dramatically. I’ve also realized that we as teachers must constantly change our methods of instruction to meet the needs of very diverse students. The Mailbox Magazine does a great job of keeping up with the increasing challenges of educational standards today! I’m very interested in seeing how The Mailbox can help with organization.
After years of teaching, I still cannot find the time to be as organized as I would like to be. Having super Mailbox resources at my fingertips is certainly helping with planning lessons and bringing great teaching ideas and tools into my classroom. Organize Now sounds like a terrific idea. Thanks for all you do and for sharing wonderful ideas from other teachers.
I have been teaching for over 20 years and always have the “to be filed” basket full. This year I started a new plan. When I get handouts from my files, I wait for them to come back from the copy room and immediately file the originals. At the end of the lesson or unit, I discard any unused handouts. I either cut them up for notes or use them to print on the blank side. Hopefully the file basket will remain empty. One can only hope!!
I am an organized person, but I have struggles with keeping things filed. If only I could have a secretary!!
I can keep on top of the planning, but it is hard for me. I am getting better the longer I teach!
Does anyone else have a “to be filed” basket that is overflowing? Help! My goal is to have it cleared out by Friday but that is not always the case. Any suggestions? The file as you go does not always work for a busy teacher as you know.
I love Mailbox! I was first introduced to Mailbox in 1988. Having perused countless books throughout the years for classroom ideas in order to become and stay organized, I fall in love over and over again with the expressive facial expressions of the illustrations and graphics that are unique to Mailbox! They are surpassed by none!
Wow! I’m overwhelmed by the responses! I’m so happy to hear how helpful these books have been for many of you. They were certainly fun to develop.
Thanks, all!
Debra
I totally understand “New London” I am in the same boat. I have taught for 11 years, but somehow my desk seems to disappear!! I love Mailbox and will be looking for these books next time I go shopping!!
I have been teaching preschool for 8 years, and I have always used the Mailbox Magazine for my planning. It has so many tips and ready to use centers that it’s the perfect assistant! There are times that I’m not so organized. When school starts, I have everything organized and ready to use, but about a month or two into the year, I feel like I lose time and can’t always find it. The Organize Now series look like it would be a great addition to the classroom, organized or not. I can’t wait to purchase one to help my organizational skills!
I teach preschool for special needs children and love how you break down the skills. It keeps me organized since I have so many children working on different skills. Thanks!
I am a first year teacher and am definitely interested in these organization books. You can never be too organized!
Every year I start out organized and prepared and ahead of my plans, but somehow somewhere between Dec-Feb my desk is in shambles and I am only a day ahead of myself if not having to come in early to organize what I need for that day. I have been teaching for 12 years, so one would think that I would know by now, but time has a way of escaping me. I need help staying on task and focused—so I can sympathize with some of my students who are the same way.
Hi,
I’m a new teacher teaching preschool. I saw the mailbox and signed up right away and love it. I know that the Organize Now books will be a great asset to any teacher who is organized or not. I know I can use all the help I can get. Thank you for being a part of my everyday successes.
Hi! I teach a curriculum that doesn’t make room for many outside ideas; but, I still like receiving the mailbox magazine because there are always so many great things inside! I have used some things when I can. Of course, all teachers like to be organized, and your magazine has been helpful to me in this area.
Thanks for all you do! Also, thanks for the freebies that we can get online. This is such a convenience! Keep up the wonderful work!! Julianne
Management is THE most important aspect in a classroom.
To the pack rat teacher- you are NOT alone. ;o)
Your idea to delegate is a terrific one! Try to match the job to the kid. Unlike most teachers, I did not switch jobs around every week especiallly with the little ones- it is too confusing. I liked when a child knew his/her job well.
When the kids wanted to switch, they would approach me with their recommended replacement and it worked rather flawlessly.
Insofar as paperwork is concerned- purchase alphabetical dividers and file EVERYTHING. And no need to get too fastidious- both Halloween and Health were filed under “H” although not necessarially in exact order. I would just look under “H” and ¡voila!
I use the organize now series in my classroom. I love the center cards in the back because it gives me four options for math and language arts to have my students use at center time that will keep them busy. I also love the all ready made centers!
Having taught preschool for the last 12 years, I don’t know what I would do without the Mailbox and the companion books. I love the Organize Books- I have a few and will be adding more to my collection,
Thanks for all of the great work you do. The website is great!
I’m wondering if these books would help a pack rat like myself who teaches fifth grade. I can’t seem to get organized no matter how hard I try. I’m enlisting the students’ help this year, we’ll see how that goes.
I love using the planning pages from the Mailbox website. It looks like these books would be along those lines and would be a great help when organizing my lessons for the month.
The sample pages look great. I’m always looking for new ways to stay organized.
I teach a preschool disabilities class, and organization is so important to keeping the peace in our little world. Organize Now is a great asset. I do wish the series had the online resources. It’s a feature in The Mailbox and some of the publications that I use regularly.
I’ve been using Organize Now for about a year or so… and the sample pages don’t do it justice! I love the months I already own and they really do make the month seem more orderly and together! I highly recommend this series!
Looks great! Why stop at 3rd grade? I teach 4th and would love to try this series.
When I saw Organize Now this past spring my first thought was that I didn’t need another magazine…..mine go back to the 1998. When I looked through it I really liked it. There are so many cute and helpful ideas. Since then I have been picking up a different issue each time I go to the store. It is a wonderful resource!
I’ve never seen the Organize Now series, but love The Mailbox and Teacher’s Helper, so I’m sure I’ll love it, too!
I have been teaching for over 20 years and have enjoyed mailbox from the first time I borrowed a copy from the first school I taught in. I now have my own subscription because Mailbox disappears fast from our library. I would love a copy of 0rganize now. I can’t remember seeing a copy in the stores.
With so many years of items I don’t want to part with and feel I need to keep to use for each up-coming classes I could always use some help in keeping things in order. Thanks for having such a great magazine.
I have 2 of the “Organize Now” books, and absolutely love them - can’t wait to purchase a few more this year. Even as a veteran teacher, I always like finding out new ideas - especially ones that keep me organized! Keep up the great work at Mailbox Magazine - I have been a subscriber for years!!
I’ve not tried the new series, but will check it out the next time I am in a teaching products store.
Hi
I was introduced to the “Organize This” series when I first started teaching 2 years ago. My director showed me the months that we had and I LOVE IT! I currently am heading in to a new adventure of teaching Pre-School and am finding myself a bit overwhelmed and feeling disorganized. If I had the extra money, I would definitely go and order this series to help me stay organized this year!
It has a lot of great ideas and I enjoy using it!
I love using The Mailbox Magazine. I have purchased some of the Organize Now books and love them. I have a friend that is a new teacher this year in another state and I keeping telling her she needs to subscribe to The Mailbox. I LOVE IT!!
I have used Mailbox magizine ever since I started teaching. they have never not been on the
mark with their material. I will be very excited to use this magizine. Barb Hardin
I have used the Preschool Organize October. I wish I could buy all of them. They are a great help to any early childhood teacher. I like the center ideas and themes each month.
I am new to Third Grade this year. I will be looking at my past Mailbox yearbooks to find ideas for this new grade. I have never tried the Organize Now series. However I feel it is beneficial to organize activities by month. I will be trying this new product. I already subscribe to Teacher’s Helper and I love it! I am hoping that The Mailbox will be publishing straight 3rd grade issues in all of your products.
Third graders are a special grade and need to get ready for intermediate skills instead of leaning towards the 2nd graders.
I have not tried this series yet. Sounds great.
Wow! I am a first year teacher, and could not even get into my school at all over the summer to organize or anything, due to extensive cleaning. I’m desperate for help, and this book looks like a great start!
This series seems like a wonderful idea for new and seasoned teachers! Being on the relatively new side, I think this sounds great to guide my teaching for a particular month. Rather than searching for that paper “I just know I have!”, having everything in one place sounds like a much better solution!
I have been teaching for 7 years. My biggest struggle is the unbelievable amount of non-student papers that flow across my desk. I also am seeking ideas on storing centers. Hopefully this series will help.
Nearly 2 decades ago, I discovered The Education Center as a Senior in college. Back “in those days”, The Education Center’s products and Mailbox Magazine were lifesavers! My first (but far from last) purchase was the large yellow _Big Book of Patterns_. (I still have that book AND I still use it!) Here I am 20 years later, so much in education has changed…with the exception of one thing. Teachers can depend on The Education Center for wonderful products! I’m positive that the new series of Organize Now books would be a helpful addition to my bookshelf. The “learning grid” is great! What a wonderful time saver!
I own this set of books! They are great! Sometimes though I find some of the activities a little too young for my first graders. I do like the Take Home activities though.
I have been teaching almost 20 years and still feel a need to get more organized as I acquire more and more stuff. I am getting to that point in life when I forget where I put things. I need a really good system before I totally lose it. The Mailbox is great for me because everything is together. The Organize now books look like they are for me too!
Sounds great!
I have been teaching going on twenty years and no matter how well you think you are prepared, you’re not. The kids are different, the standards may change or you find some great new thing you can’t wait to try. I would love any ideas you have that work for organization. I need all the help I can get! Thanks!!!
The Organize Now series is available in preschool, K-1, and Grades 2-3. There are no intermediate level books. However, you may want to try our Forms at Your Fingertips book (TEC60824) or our 500 Classroom Tips book (TEC60849). Both of these have resources for upper grades teachers.
This is my first year teaching preschool and I have felt so lost. I recently discovered The Mailbox at my local library and have found many great ideas for my class. This book looks great!
I am having so much fun planning for my 1st year as a VPK teacher. I ordered so many resource books from mailbox, I have my own mailbox library, I feel these resources have made my planning so much easier. I am currently banned from buying anymore, as per my hubby for now. I do think mailbox helps me simplify planning giving me way more time with my students. I would love to win the organinze resource book. I am pretty organized but everyone has room for improvement.
Sincerely, Tina Thornton
As a new 3rd grade teacher, this book seems like it would be a lifesaver! I’m about to pull my hair out trying to organize everything. I began my teaching career as a high school English teacher, so I only had to manage one subject and didn’t need decorations, multi-subject activities, or learning centers. I need help!
These books look great! I like that they include Learning Centers and Activity Cards that can be torn out and used right away. That is a real time saver!
Looks like a great idea!! I could really use some help!
I purchased all of the organize books when teaching preschool and now that I am teaching kindergarten this year, I look forward to staring a new collection.
What a great idea! I think all teachers are always looking for ways to be more organized and to better use their planning time. Now if only you would make a “How to organize your teacher workroom” series…
Hi! I love the Mailbox magazine! It always has wonderful and fun ideas. The Organize Now book sounds like something I need — I have so much stuff that I CAN’T FIND ANYTHING! I’m always looking for new ideas. Thanks!
I HAVE BEEN USING THE MAILBOX FOR 14 YEARS. I LOVE THE BOOKS AND STILL BUY NEW ONES WHEN I CAN. I USE THEM ON A DAILY BASIS WITH MY PRE-K CLASS. I HOPE THEY NEVER STOP COMING UP WITH GREAT IDEAS. THANKS FOR SHARING THEM WITH US, THE TIRED BUT TRUE TEACHERS !!!
I absolutely love the mailbox magazine and the ideas from all the books I have purchased. I teach pre-k in a public school setting and I constantly supplement the themes, ideas and projects in my plans. I have a few of the Organize Now books and find them very helpful.
Thanks Mailbox!
I’ve have just joined The Mailbox and I have loved it. This looks like a great tool to go along with it.
Thanks for all the cool ideas.
OH I could soooo use some organizational help! I’ve tried really hard to be better about keeping my desk neat and tidy, but it’s so hard! I could really use some tips and tricks from an Organize Now! issue!
The Mailbox is such a great help! I consider it to be my right arm when it comes to being creative and organization. I am a preschool teacher and have been able to use so so many of your ideas and worksheets in my class room. My kids love to do the crafts and we even have special snack time with other classes and make some of the special treats that you include.
Thanks for the many great ideas and keep up the good work.
I was just about to ask the same as Andrea! I also teach 4th grade, and would love to have something like this! It looks like another great resource from Mailbox! Thanks!
Yes, this resource is great. I own the Sept. K-1. and used a lot of pages last year and I will again use it this year too. They have a lot of apple worksheets that are great for the beginning of the year. Since I work @ a Jewish Preschool; apples are a main topic for the Jewish New Year in September.
I have not used this before, but it really looks like it may be helpful. I homeschool my children and i need something to help me organize. I could do without the clip art and I think some time sensitive material/suggestions would be good. example: holidays etc… maybe that is in the book but i couldn’t tell from the sample pages. I love the mailbox! its always a great resource for me and my children love all of the activities that i use from the books!
I am a firt year teacher. I am currently teaching kindergarten. I am a big fan of mail box and have not tried the organize now series. Sounds great!as I was looking for ideas I found this posting. Thanks so much!!!
This would be great! Do they have one for Intermediate teachers too? It’d be great for my 4th grade class…
The Mailbox magazine is a quality resource that has helped me with many lesson plans. I am excited about this new publication ~ organization is one skill that I find difficult, so anything that will streamline the work environment is welcomed. Thanks, Mailbox, for again coming up with a help for busy teachers.
The Organize Now Book has some great resources for use in my weekly newsletter online and in the classroom with the students. I am a big fan of the Mailbox Magazine and other resources provided by this company.
The Organize Now Book looks like something I would use on a daily basis. I send a weekly newsletter and am always looking for innovative clips and information to add to the newsletter, both on paper and on our class website!
I feel unorganized and the Organize Now books look like they will really help get me on track!
This book looks great!! I love the mailbox books.
Hi! First let me say that I love all of The Mailbox products! I currently subscribe to the magazine and Teacher’s Helper, but I have not tried the Organize Now series. It definitely looks like one to have, but I was curious if it has online extras or if that might be something you do in the future? I really like being able to program things online and print them out clean. I would like to see more of your publications have online extras! Thanks so much!!!