The document below provides ideas to support the remote learning environment, storing and organizing learning materials and supplies, and managing time.
Google doc version (to customize and share): Learning Environment (Tool #2: Own Your Environment – Remote Learning Environment Ideas)
Helpful Tips
- Feel free to modify/change the document to meet your needs and those of your students and families/caregivers.
- This document is intended to be shared with families/caregivers. It could also be shared with secondary students.
- Feel free to share this document at any time during the school year.
An electronic or paper version of this document could be provided to students and families/caregivers
Adapted from:
- understood.org: “6 low-cost organization tools for kids”
- hgtv.com: “15 Genius Dollar-Store Hacks to Wrangle All Those School Supplies”
Own your environment
Remote learning environment ideas
Overview
This document provides ideas to support the remote learning environment – from storing and organizing learning materials and supplies to managing time – there is something for everybody! Many of the ideas below use everyday household items – feel free to try any of the ideas below or come up with your own!
Writing Utensils/Art Supplies Storage Ideas
Mason Jars
- Great for storing pens, pencils, highlighters, etc.
- If possible, get a variety of sizes to store different types of supplies (erasers, paperclips, etc.).
- To personalize the mason jars, have your child paint and decorate them.
Plastic Cups
- Store your pens, pencils, colored pencils, markers, highlighters, etc.
- If possible, select a variety of colors and designate a color for each type of supply (e.g., pencils in the pink cup, pens in the purple cup, etc.).
Shower Caddy
- Depending on the shower caddy, you may need to utilize a plastic cup for colored pencils, markers, and scissors. There is enough room to store paper, crayons, glue sticks, etc.
Bucket and Tool Belt
- Wrap the toolbelt around the bucket, placing larger items like paper, inside the bucket. Use the pockets of the toolbelt to store materials like colored pencils, scissors, crayons, etc.
Classwork/Homework Storage Ideas
Cereal Boxes
- Keep classwork/homework in empty cereal boxes. Trim the top flaps off the box and wrap it in paper. Create a box for each class/subject to help keep needed papers readily accessible.
Pizza Boxes
- Ask a pizza place for large pizza boxes and have fun decorating them. The boxes are great for stacking to help save on space! Use one pizza box for each class/subject to store needed papers.
All-In-One Storage Ideas
Cardboard Box
- Store all the needed supplies and materials for remote learning in an empty cardboard box. Not only is it an all-in-one solution, but it is easily portable if you may need to move to a different space.
Basket
- Baskets are great to use for all-in-one storage and are portable! Plastic cups can be placed in the basket for pencils, pens, scissors, etc., with paper stored behind the plastic cups.
Cake Stand
- Place plastic cups on each tier of the cake stand and fill them with pencils, pens, highlighters, markers, colored pencils, paperclips, etc. To keep the plastic cups in place, attach poster tack or glue dots to the bottom of the cups. This all-in-one can be relocated easily!
Dish Drain/Dish Drying Rack
- Great for storing your documents/papers/folders and writing utensils in one spot. Place the documents/papers/folders in the main part of the dish drain/dish drying rack and the writing utensils in the silverware holder.
Time Management Ideas
Calendar and Checklists
- Use an erasable calendar, actual calendar, or print a calendar and place it in the remote learning location. Same can be done for needed checklists. A baking cooling rack can be mounted on the wall and clothes pins can be used to hang the calendar and checklist(s).
Analog Clock or Timer
- Use an analog clock to help show how time can be broken into chunks. Pick up for colors of cellophane wrapping paper and divide the clock into quarters. Put a different cellophane color over each 15 minute section.
- If you have a timer, set the timer for specific increments of time to help with focusing on specific tasks.