Since I love talking about all things organization and productivity, I ask teachers all the time what their biggest organization struggle is. Can you believe it’s paper clutter?!
Yes, even in 2021 when all the teaching is digital, paper clutter is still the biggest organization struggle for teachers. So much so, that we recently devoted an entire month to organizing paper clutter in the Organized Teacher Challenge Facebook group. So, without further ado, here are my 9 favorite paper clutter solutions for teachers.
Paper Clutter Solution #1: Binders
This saying makes me cringe, but it totally applies here: They’re an oldie, but a goodie.
Binders are the classic paper storage solution. Binders allow you to compartmentalize your teacher life. In other words, you can use binders as a way to separate and organize different components of your teaching. Curriculum can have its own binder, or multiple binders. Your additional duties as a class advisor, extracurricular activity provider, coach, etc., can each have their own binder. Be sure to use binder dividers to organize your binder into sections. (I love the ones with pockets! – Amazon Affiliate Link)
How I use Binders
You can find the shelves behind my teacher desk lined with binders. I have binders for each course I teach, separated into either quarters or semesters as needed. In each binder, I keep answer keys in page protectors with an original copy in the back. Each unit is separated by a binder divider. And no, the binder dividers don’t stick out past the page protectors, but they are just as effective.
#2: The Filing Cabinet (Probably Your Least Favorite Paper Clutter Organizer)
Let’s be honest. Usually filing cabinets sit in a corner of the classroom, and they tend to be the most underutilized organization apparatus. Don’t let your filing cabinet go to waste! It can hold so much.
If you’ve long abandoned your filing cabinet, set aside some time at the end of the school year where you can really go through it. Here are some quick tips to set it up so it’s usable:
- Use hanging file folders and LABEL them.
- Give each drawer a purpose.
My Classroom Filing Cabinet
In my classroom, my top drawer holds materials for my courses. There is a folder for each unit of each course. There I hold my posters, copies that I didn’t use, and anything else that I want to save. My middle drawer holds anything job related that I don’t want to lose, and student work that I want to hold on to. For me, student work means tests. After students complete their corrections, I hold on to them until the end of the year. I have a folder for each unit, and I store all the student tests there with each class period clipped together. My bottom drawer doesn’t open easily. So, this is where I keep the senior class trip paperwork that I don’t need, but am required to hold for 7 years.
#3: Hanging File Holder
This is the paper clutter organizer that has me all 🤩 all the time. You may have heard me refer to this one as my holy grail organizer. The hanging file holder is kind of like a mini-filing cabinet. Except, it’s open, which means it’s more easily accessible, and easily visible. It’s also small enough to fit on your desk without taking too much space. (This is my favorite one to use in my classroom. – Amazon Affiliate Link)
How many is too many?
Confession: I have 5 of these in my classroom, each with different purposes. My main one lives on my desk, and is used to store the work that students turn in. There is one at the front of my classroom to organize paper that needs to be passed out. There are two for my students – one for one class to store work, and one to store extra copies. The one for extra copies is a life-saver because you know how annoying it is to have to find extra copies. (Especially in the middle of a lesson.) The last one is the one I use to organize sub work. You can read all about how I do that here.
Paper Clutter Solution #4: The Filing Box
Listen, I know this one screams young adult or college student. It’s like a mini-personal filing cabinet before you actually need a filing cabinet. I repurposed mine from my college days, and use it in my classroom to store my emergency sub plans. You can read all about that here.
Filing boxes are typically larger than hanging file folders, and have a lid. These are great for things that you want to keep out of sight and out of mind.
#5: Filing Crate
Most often you will see these in classrooms holding student notebooks. They’re crates. They’re big and sturdy, but they also have grooves in the sides to hold hanging file folders. These offer the same solution as the hanging file holder – they’re open and easier to access than an entire filing cabinet – but they’re bigger.
In my classroom, I keep my filing crates by my desk. I have two, and each one holds all of the paper activities for my two different geometry courses. This is where all of my scavenger hunts, tasks cards, sorting activities, etc. are held. Each activity has its own folder.
#6: Expanding File Folder
This paper clutter solution is ideal for organizing papers while you travel. It offers the portability of your traditional two-pocket folder, but gives you more space. Instead of tying all of your papers down into those two measly pockets, these usually have 5 or more sections. It opens like an accordion, and gives you much more space.
I have one expanding file folder that travels home with me on the rare occasions that I grade at home. It also came in handy when I was kicked out of my classroom during my prep, and had to grade in the teachers lounge. When I chaperoned the senior trips, I would also use an expanding file folder to store and organize all of the necessary paperwork that needed to travel with me.
Paper Clutter Organizer #7: Letter Trays
This is an ideal paper clutter solution for anyone that is guilty of having piles upon piles of paper all over their desks. Letter trays allow you to contain and separate your piles. And since letter trays are stacking, they allow you to keep using piles.
Some letter trays come assembled with a certain number of trays, but I love using trays from the Dollar Tree. Each one is $1, and you can use as many or as few as you like. I have two on my desk – one for things to do, and one for things to file. Many teachers also like to use these as a place for students to turn in their work – just make sure you label each tray clearly.
#8: Sterilite Drawers
Sterilite drawers are probably the most popular paper clutter organizer among teachers. They come with 3 drawers large enough to hold a standard piece of paper. Here’s what’s great about these drawers: the clear frosted drawers hide the mess. This is another solution for those of you that can’t help but to pile up the paper. Essentially, each drawer can contain a pile.
In my classroom, there are two that hold all of my paper copies for the week ahead, one or two drawers per course. Then there is one that I put in the front of my classroom for students. This one holds loose-leaf paper, scrap paper, and test corrections forms.
#9: Digital Storage (Last, but not least)
Raise your hand if you have a hard time getting rid of things. As teachers, we are constantly being asked to do more with less. I get it. When you find that worksheet from 15 years ago that you’ve never used, it’s hard to let it go. Even more so when you didn’t create it yourself, and you don’t have the original file.
Don’t worry. I have a solution for you.
Using your phone, you can scan pages. Yes, your phone is a scanner now too! You can scan any paper that you’re tired of holding on to, but struggling to let go of, and save it digitally. The key is that once you save it digitally, you need to let go of it physically.
What do I need to scan with my phone?
If you’re an iPhone user, you can use the Notes app that came preloaded on your phone. If you’re not an iPhone user, you have to do some research, but I know you can find something great.
Are you one of those teachers that has no problem getting organized, but staying organized is a challenge? Be sure to get on the waitlist for Productive Teacher Toolkit! The Toolkit helps you create and sustain systems that save you time. You’ll be amazed at your time transformation.
