Supplies, supplies, and more supplies...

Supplies... in a first grader's desk... yikes!  Now that it's summer, I am preparing for next school year here and there, and after five years of thinking I had the supply thing down, I am totally not feeling it after this year.  In my school, first graders get their own desk, and in it house all of their supplies: box (with pencils, crayons, scissors, glue), folder, journal(s), math book, reading book, handwriting book, and more.  This is a problem for various reasons:

1) They come straight from kinder from sitting at a table with very few supplies at their fingertips (maybe a supply box at most).

2) The little darlings can't keep their supplies neat- after all, it is a lot to keep up with as a six year old.

3) The little darlings simply can't keep their hands still.  Even the ones who ALWAYS listen get distracted from all the things in their desk.

4) Crayons, pencils, glue, and scissors 9 times out of 10 DO NOT end up in the supply box, but somewhere else in the desk or on the floor.

I don't know how many times my kids can't find their supplies because it's lost or because it's simply lost somewhere in their desk.  I am thinking for next year that the supply box in the desk has to go, and make everything communal.  A tub of crayons and pencils, and a tub of glue and scissors, all divided up by table groups.  Only the books and journals would be in the desks; nothing small.   I do think it's time for a change.  I've tried many different management strategies and the desk fairy visits often, but I can't find a system that works well for me.  How do you have your students keep their supplies organized?  I would love to hear your thoughts!

Cuteness at best... flower pens!

I'm sure you've seen flower pens, but have you seen them like this?  I first saw this idea many years ago, and decided to make some for my desk.  Here's the cute part: they are in a jar of magnetic letters.  Is that perfect for a teacher or what?  I *love* that detail.

If you want to make some here's what you need:

-Artifical flowers (about half a dozen)

-Pens

-Floral tape

-Hot glue

-Jar

-Magnetic letters to hold up the pens (or beans, but I love the letters!)

-Ribbon

Basically you wrap each flower around the pen with the tape, and secure the tape with a drop of hot glue.  Set them inside the jar with the letters or beans.  Viola!  They are easy to make and cute.  Did I mention how practical they are too?  Now when you have open house, people will never accidentially walk off with your pens.