Oh, the Joy of a New Discovery!
I’m always looking for a better way to organize the materials on my shelves, especially since I am working in a very small space. Recently I discovered that combining one of my teacher store favs (library pockets) with brochure holders from Office Max results in a perfect way to display card materials.
First of all, library pockets are just like the kind you’d find in the front or back of a library book, only brightly colored. They’re available patterned, too, although that’s a little much for me. They are perfect for all manner of cards: sight words, math equations, and nomenclature. Since they’re available in a variety of colors, I like the match the colors to the work or curricular area I’m using them in. (Click on all pictures to enlarge).
Next, I found these great brochure holders at OfficeMax (haven’t seen this kind at Staples, unfortunately). They’re in the section that has display stands for flyers, catalogs, and brochures. As luck would have it, they are the perfect size to hold the library pockets. I printed labels for the pockets, added the cards, and I am delighted to find that I can fit a full set of math equation cards, or an entire year’s worth of geometry nomenclature in a very small space on the shelf!
As a Montessori-eclectic homeschooler, I am forever looking for things like this. The big kids “grades” are so full o’ stuff.
I know, I’m so excited! I went to OfficeMax and bought every single brochure holder!
This is EXACTLY what I need!!! What a great find and discovery, thank you so much for sharing it here. Do the library pockets come from OfficeMax too??? Blessings!
Glad you like it! The library pockets are from the teacher store – hence the whole “teacher store” thing at the beginning! =)
I just found the library pockets on eBay as well – you’ll have to scroll through a few listings to find them. They seem to be in the scrapbooking category.
Awesome! I have two teacher workdays this Thursday and Friday. I’m doing nothing but making materials and lesson plans. Maybe through Christmas???
I know, every time I come close to cutting out all the stuff I laminated this summer, I think of more stuff to make!! At this rate, I will never finish.
I’m also making phonics bags (one for each letter) with objects and stuff – they are just too cute. I bought the stuff yesterday, but when will I have time?!
Love it! So neat, orderly, and attractive.
fantastic!! thank you!
I LOVE the library pockets- those are just what I need! Thanks for sharing!
Oh, library card pockets are a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Wow, this idea seems popular! So glad everyone is liking it. I hope you can find library pockets!
This is a great way to organize and display! I will be off to Office Max again soon!
What about for pre-readers? I can never figure out how to display printed materials for pre-readers so it doesn’t take up too much space, but is neat and tidy. For example, your pink series with the control card, the cards, and those little letters. Any ideas?
Bridget, for those sets I actually put them in file folders. I find pink, blue, and green file folders at the teacher store and put the letters in a small envelope. I glue or staple the pages with the pictures/words on the inside of the folder (after laminating them first).
Language stuff can take up a lot of room – I like to rotate items, and use trays and baskets over and over again.
Lori, I have a question. As you know I am using your Pink/Blue and eventually Green series work. Not all of this work is small enough to fit into pockets so I have to rotate the work as Ijust don’t have the space to keep it all out at once.
Do you have any ideas on storage for the shelves when using your phonics series work?
Hi, Kylie! I rotate stuff too. I store it in plastic baggies in shoeboxes by color (all the Pink Series together, etc.) On the shelf I use small baskets and trays to put out whatever we’re using right then. No special tricks or anything
ok that’s pretty much what I am doing, except I store in 3 ring binders. Thanks again.
Sorry, another doh question… can you please let me know what colours you use for what areas? Need to get organised (mutter, mutter); need to get organised!
I think this post will help you; there’s a link to the specific post about colors of Montessori, as well as many other organizational posts: Designing a Montessori Classroom. The specific post listing the colors is called “The Underlying Organization of a Montessori Classroom”.