Those of you that use these on desks or tables in place of storing everything in a desk...what do you keep in them (pencils, erasers, scissors etc) and why? What DON'T you keep in them and why not?
We have done something similar to caddie. A parent made sleeves for the backs of the students chairs. It is similar to the sleeves on buckets contractors use to carry tools around with whatever is in the bucket. The sleeve for the desk has pockets for pencils, an eraser, a few colored pencils, glue stick, and a few extra pockets for whatever else I think of. Obviously the pockets face outward with the inside sleeve padded. It is simple but effective and its hard for things to spill or get knocked over. Even if the chair does fall over the items usually stay in place with only a few sliding out. I know this isn't exactly what you are looking for but I hope it helps in some way. Happy organizing!
I keep the items that I want to students to use when I need them: pencils, red pen, blue or black pen. I also have a box that I keep a box of crayons, markers, colored pencils, 2 glue sticks, and a pair of scissors at each grouping of desks. I keep these items at the group of desks everyday because we use them weekly. When needed, I add ruler, protractor, calculators, highlighters, etc. Any specialty items we only use once in a while. I don't want these items going missing before we use them again or getting broken.
I keep pencils, crayons, erasers, sharpeners and glue in them all the time because we use them every day. I don't keep scissors in them because they tend to play with them - each group has its own scissor basket but they are kept in a separate area of the room.
I only put what is needed, keep everything else in bins in the closet. Might be different since this is science and they usually have other materials they have to take care of. Sharpies are my pet peeve. Sometimes needed, but the new ones click in and click out and some kids get so click happy it drives me nuts.
Pencils, erasers, and crayons. Scissors and glue don't go in there because I've had way too many students play with them in the past. I have a small shelf with tubs and the supply managers pass them out as needed.
Pencils, red/blue pens, markers, colored pencils, glue, scissors.. and a plant All other materials are in one of those colored rolling drawer organizers, and only *i* have Sharpies!
I have a basket on each table for the group. It has a couple of large erasers for them to share, pens for checking work and writing in their planners, dry erase boards, markers, and erasers, rulers, calculators, and a bottle of germ-x.
Each table in my room has a pencil bin on it filled with pencils and erasers. Beside each table is a small block chair that has a caddy on top with mini/kid sized cups inside filled with crayons, glue sticks, scissors, and more crayons- each caddy has at least 4 cups filled with crayons. These are supplies we use weekly if not daily.
