Keeping Center Activities Organized

There are days when transition times between centers during Daily 5 or Math Rotations can be a hair-pulling experience. I have found that this is where students waste the most time and lose out on necessary work time, not to mention distracting others along the way... not cool ;)

What I have found is that the key is to stay as organized as possible by keeping everything in one place. That way, kids can grab what they need lickety-split and get to work anyplace in the room that they'd like.

Here's what I have found this year and I just love it:

The Place Value Words activity is available in my TpT Store HERE. 

Each folder contains the following:

• small dry-erase marker
• "eraser" {back fleece remnant from Walmart I cut with pinking sheers to roughly 5"x3"}
• laminated activity & recording sheet
• any extra manipulatives needed (dice, cards, baggie of coins, etc.)

The enveloped themselves are clear plastic envelopes that close with small velcro. The ones I use are from Office Depot and I couldn't be happier with how they have held up!

Now, when a student is working on Word Work in Daily 5 or Math Centers in Math Rotations, he/she can go to the drawer they need, pull out an envelope, and find someplace to work, knowing that all of the materials they need are in there to help them. Whew! What a time/sanity-saver this is!

As I mentioned, all of these envelopes are stored in labeled drawers in my lovely carts:

One side is for Word Work and the other for Math Centers. They are labeled now and just look lovely :) :)

How do you keep centers organized? Share your tips below!