I've gathered 20 of my favorite creative teacher hacks to share with you today! These improvised solutions are inexpensive and save your sanity in the classroom! You'll find some really amazing teachers to follow along with on Instagram while you're here. For your convenience, I've linked them all for you so you can easily find them to see more ideas and inspiration!
1. Use adhesive pockets for portable notes!
These adhesive pockets from Target (or these from Amazon) are perfect for storing notes on the go! Add them to the front or back of your clipboard for portability. Whether you are walking around your classroom, the school, or outside on the playground, you'll have everything you need at your fingertips. *Editable notes from Samantha Henry can be found here.
2. Give old tables new life with pretty contact paper!
This gorgeous table makeover is from @teaching6. If you look closely, you'll see a few more hacks. Notice the wooden clothing rack near the white board, it holds anchor charts! She also covered a wooden crate with faux grass which makes for a pleasing aesthetic and wonderful sensory table!
3. Reuse a disposable drink tray for storing art supplies!
@planethappysmiles posted this awesome hack, which keeps your students from spilling water and making a big mess!
4. Use a desk caddy for storing substitute materials!
Need to miss a day last minute, you won't need to stress when all your materials are already prepped and stored in a caddy!! @mrshenryinfirst found this desk organizer from Target! Learn how to set up your sub plans in a pinch HERE and grab a FREEBIE while you're there!!
5. Use a shower caddy to organize white board materials!
My friend Maribel from @learninginwonderland was inspired to create this whiteboard caddy after seeing @charleysclassroom share the idea!
6. Painter's Tape for the WIN!
@theteachingtexan hangs his bulletin board letters with this tip from @middleschoolmathlover. Lay your letters how you want them, put painters tape across them, hang on your bulletin board, staple, and then remove the tape.
7. Use shoe boxes for storing classroom materials
Plastic shoe boxes are inexpensive and kid friendly. @mrshenryinfirst found this shoe organizer and the shoe boxes from Walmart! Read more about these STEM boxes and grab the labels for free HERE!
8. Facial scrubbers make great erasers!
This genius idea is also inexpensive! @heyheyfirstgrade found her facial scrubbers at the Dollar Tree. She stores her dry erase supplies in a convenient caddy which makes it student friendly and portable!
9. Use a file box to store copies for the week
Whether you arrange by day or subject, these editable labels make for an organized week! Use a large file box (like this one from Amazon) and leave the top off for easy access!
10. Use a hanging rack for easy tissue dispensing!
This photo from @teachovertherainbow shows just how simple it is for students to grab a tissue quick & easy! She also suggests you give the box a good shake to loosen up the tissues for easy dispensing.
11. Attach your stapler to the wall!
This game changer from @triedandtrueteachingtools is GENIUS! Attaching it to the wall makes it easy for students to use and BONUS -> it never gets lost!
12. Use Craft Poms as Erasers!
I could stare at the photo all day! @fabulousfigs glued colorful poms to her dry erase markers for instant erasers! She reused these colorful play dough containers to store them!
13. Binder ring to the rescue!
When you have 5,000 loose pages of stickers, do what @mskohlskids did and stick them on a binder ring!!! Mind Blown!
14. Use laundry hooks for displaying & storing anchor charts!
This awesome storage idea comes from Cheryl @primarygraffiti You can read more details in her blog post HERE.
15. Hang your bulletin board border on a shower rod!
This teacher hack keeps you from having to wrestle with your borders and prevents them from getting damaged. @teacher_of_tinies used binder clips to hang them on shower rings!
16. DIY dry erase table
@ksclassroomkreations turned her guided reading table into a dry erase table with special dry erase contact paper from Walmart for less than $5.00!
17. Store headphones with command hooks
@my.specialed.adventure even color coded for easy storage, making it super kid friendly!
18. Big book storage!
@fun.in.year.one found this baby clothing rack at Kmart! It's perfect for hanging big books and kid friendly!
19. Dry erase boards from plates!
If you're in need of some dry erase boards, do what @mrsrichardsonsclass did and use plastic plates! Colorful and cheap!!
20. Scotch tape to the rescue!
@primaryqueens needed to section off student spaces at her desk and used colorful scotch tape to do the trick!
I hope you LOVED reading about these teacher hacks and finding some new, resourceful teachers to follow on Instagram! Happy teaching!Pin Now, Save for Later!Check out some of my most popular posts below before you go!**** This blog post may contain affiliate links. This means that I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) if you subscribe or purchase something through the links provided.
12 Comments
mariela del pilar
2/28/2019 04:29:44 pm
i am interested in teaching materials for preschoolers and primary students
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Deebi
3/9/2019 12:45:05 am
These are fabulous, colorful and so inviting for kids. One idea was better than the next. I passing this wedlink on to my daughter who back to teaching Elementary. THANKS!
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Sara
3/12/2019 12:22:24 pm
The facial scrubbers fall apart after a few uses .I bought them for my class and the stictching came out on almost all if them .
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Dee
6/23/2019 08:04:36 pm
I buy a pack of socks and cut them in half. Cheap, easy to wash, and last.
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Tammy
3/14/2019 09:43:00 am
I really enjoyed the ideas of organization. Most of everything is organized. Nice classroom.
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ileana varas
4/2/2019 10:54:51 am
I absolutely love all of these ideas ! I seriously cannot wait until next year to be able to use all of these.
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Sarah
4/4/2019 01:45:49 pm
Amazing Hacks! Great for all ages and grades. I especially loved the big book idea and plan on using that one for sure. Thank you and share some more if you have any.
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Rachel Tallent
7/19/2019 04:18:20 am
Love these! where can I find the set on tpt where I can make the sign for the markers (seen on the caddy)? Thank you!
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3/20/2020 02:42:21 am
The ear piece doesn’t like to stay in my ear unless I have my beanie on but I think its just new and stiff.
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6/24/2020 01:18:51 am
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LeeAnn Helgevold
5/14/2021 06:11:32 am
Where did you find the crayola buckets for the markers with pom poms on them?
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Laura Tracy
9/8/2022 06:56:08 pm
She said they were play dough containers.
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