Organization Station-- Morning and Afternoon Routines

Having an organized routines for arrival and dismissal can make these hectic times less overwhelming for students. Today's Organization Station will share a variety of cubby organization ideas and visuals for helping students build more independence.

The first step is having an area that is neatly organized and labeled to help students find their spot. Many classrooms come with cubbies already installed in the classroom. Cubbies are great because they provide definite boundaries for students to store coats and backpacks. 

In the cubbies below, students also keep their lunches and any additional materials they may need. 

Christine Scarborough
Tecumseh Elementary, Xenia

Students do not have desks in this classroom so they also use their cubby to hold materials they may need. These materials are in neatly labeled bins.

Kelly Sewell
Kleptz Early Learning Center, Northmont

These cubbies have hooks for coats and backpacks. Students can also keep slant boards and extra clothing at the bottom of their cubbies. On top, students have a mailbox for papers to take home and a bin for self-care items.

Some classrooms may not have hooks so teachers have to improvise! This classroom uses 3M hooks.

Peggy Ristau
Brookville Intermediate, Brookville

In this preschool classroom, the teacher used a hook bar and labeled each students hook with brightly colored paint chips.

Jessica Burns
Demmitt Elementary, Vandalia

We love this creative idea from another preschool class!

Kettering Early Childhood Education Center

After establishing an organized location, the next step is doing a task analysis to determine what steps students will need to take to complete their morning routine. Create visual supports to help cue students and work towards increased independence. Some students benefit from an interactive visual with photographs or icons.

Emily Ottmar
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River Local Schools

Kate Pennington
Kettering ECEC, Kettering

  

Carrie Prickett
Jane Chance Elementary, Miamisburg

Other students are able to follow a list of activities.

Jennifer Jette
Vandalia-Butler High School, Vandalia 

Christine Scarborough
Tecumseh Elementary, Xenia

Don't forget afternoon routines! This is often the most hectic time of the day as everyone packs up their backpacks and gets ready for dismissal. Building independence through the use of visuals is a great step toward a smoother end of the day transition.

Brittany Sword
Valley Elementary, Beavercreek

Emily Ottmar
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River Local Schools

Kathy Timmerman
Fairbrook Elementary, Beavercreek

Laura Brown
Perrin Woods Elementary, Springfield