How to Put Together Theme Boxes for the Classroom

Summary

In this video, Jeff from 'Teaching Two and Three-Year-Olds' shares how his preschool organizes and stores theme-related materials using labeled, clear containers. These boxes, used by all classrooms, contain items like printables, art supplies, and activity pieces, making setup for themes easy and resourceful. Jeff explains how materials like laminated circle-time activities are kept organized in bags to avoid loss, and how age-appropriate materials are divided into junior and senior boxes. This system saves time, reduces costs, and keeps the preschool organized for year-round use.

Takeaways

• 📦 Teachers organize materials using themed boxes, which are shared among classrooms.
• 🔍 Themed boxes help avoid scavenger hunts through storage rooms when setting up for a theme.
• ♻️ Reusing old materials in themed boxes allows teachers to be resourceful and avoid unnecessary purchases.
• 🗂 Themed boxes are labeled and stored with a clear lid so teachers can easily identify contents.
• 📚 Printables and smaller activity pieces are placed in labeled Ziploc bags to prevent loss.
• 🎨 Each box contains materials like coloring pages, playdough mats, and sponges, organized for easy access.
• 👶 Themed boxes are divided into junior and senior categories for different age groups (e.g., 2-3-year-olds vs. pre-K).
• 📖 Science books related to the theme are stored in a separate section of the preschool library.
• 🎒 The storage system isn't always perfectly neat but is efficient enough for teachers to quickly retrieve items.
• 💬 The creator encourages viewers to ask questions via email, which may be answered in future videos.

Q & A

Why did the teacher start using themed boxes?

The teacher started using themed boxes to avoid scavenger hunts through the storage room and make it easier to organize and find materials for classroom themes.

How do themed boxes benefit the entire preschool?

Themed boxes benefit the entire preschool by allowing different classrooms to share materials, saving time and resources, as teachers can easily access and reuse items.

Why does the teacher prefer clear containers for themed boxes?

The teacher prefers clear containers because they allow staff to quickly see what's inside and how full the box is, making it easier to locate materials.

What strategy is used to keep small items organized within the themed boxes?

Small items, like printables and activity pieces, are kept organized by placing them in Ziploc bags to prevent them from getting lost in the storage room.

How are the themed materials categorized for different age groups?

Themed materials are categorized into 'junior boxes' for younger students (two and three-year-olds) and 'senior boxes' for pre-K classes to ensure age-appropriate materials.

Where are books related to classroom themes stored?

Books related to classroom themes are stored in the preschool library, categorized by subject, making it easy to access them when setting up a themed unit.

What types of materials are typically placed in the themed boxes?

Themed boxes typically include laminated printables, play-doh mats, light table pieces, coloring pages, bulletin board borders, sponges, cookie cutters, decorations, and counting activities.

How does organizing with themed boxes save resources?

Organizing with themed boxes saves resources by allowing teachers to reuse materials year after year instead of constantly buying new supplies.

What additional features are considered for storage organization?

Themed boxes are stackable, and labels are used to easily identify the theme, while different sections are designated for junior and senior classrooms to accommodate different age groups.

How does the teacher handle frequently asked questions from other educators?

The teacher addresses frequently asked questions by responding via email or including answers in her videos, offering practical tips for organizing and using classroom materials.