I’m forever looking for cool new ways to store and keep all of my teaching resources. I don’t know what it is…but I’m never quite satisfied and search for ways to make storing my stuff even better :-).
Well I’ve come up with some new ways to store all of my Sounds-Write resources, so thought I’d share how I’ve rearranged everything! If you’d like to see how I’ve stored these bits and bobs in the past then check out the articles:
A Little Known Way To Help Children Learn To Read Sooner (this was my first go)
TnT Weekly Wrap: Phonics Resources (then I evolved to this)
Now don’t get me wrong, there wasn’t really anything too wrong with how I did it before, but a few things did annoy me:
- I had the resources stored in about 5 separate containers, which I had to search through to find what I was looking for;
- As there were too many containers I didn’t have anywhere handy to store them, so found I didn’t use the resources as often as I should; and
- They were kind of annoying to open and close and some of the little puzzles would often get mixed into the wrong spot.
So introducing my new plastic storage drawers…
I found these bad boys on Amazon and Fishpond….and I think I’m in love with them hehehe 😉
The first one I got was the Stack-On 39-Drawer Parts Organiser, Blue from Fishpond. And unfortunately I’ve now noticed that it says it’s unavailable, but they will email you when it becomes available again. This storage drawer is also available from Amazon. But, if you’re in Australia be aware that you will need to pay for shipping.
For the second one I didn’t want the larger drawers so I went for the Stack-On DS-60 60 Drawer Storage Cabinet
With the program I use there are resources for the Initial Code (IC) and the Extended Code (EC). The IC has 11 units and the EC has more than 20 units. I wanted a storage solution that allowed me to store my IC resources and many of my EC resources in the one spot. As students work through the codes and units sequentially it made sense for them to follow on from each other in the one plastic storage drawers.
For these resources I’ve used the 60 drawer cabinet. I’ve also labeled each draw with the unit number and also the sound focus, so it’s easy for me to find what I need. As you can see in the picture below I’ve got the IC units first followed by the EC units next.
Looking inside the drawers, I’ve left some as the complete drawer, but with others I added in the divider.
I also have lots of different individual letters that I use as well, the card and magnetic type. So with the 39 storage drawers I have each of the letters of the alphabet stored as well as common digraphs. Then in the larger drawers I have some games, markers, counters and I’m still working out what to put in the left over. I keep these on my tutoring desk so it’s easy to grab out some individual letters to get kids building words.
Now the other essential item that I can’t live without is my trusty label maker (if you couldn’t tell from all of my labeled drawers). I have the Dymo Letra label maker. You can also get this from: Fishpond and Amazon.
I’d also love to know, what’s the one teaching item that you can’t live without?
*There are affiliate links in this post, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase I will receive a small referral commission.
All Melinda’s reading cards and word building cards are from the Sounds-Write resources which come with the manual when you complete the training. I store mine in the same way, Bunnings have a selection of boxes which suit very well. Check out the Sounds-Write website for more information. Melinda I haven’t seen a review of the Workbooks which go with the Initial Code, would be great to get a write up.
Hey Mary,
I looked at Bunnings for boxes like these ones, but they didn’t have any at the time 🙁 Would have been so much easier. You must have read my mind Mary about the review of the Workbooks. It’s on my schedule, but is not for another couple of months 🙂 Hopefully I’ll have the new workbook by then, so I can write about that one too.
Mel
I find your blog extremely useful. Thank you so much for you time! I’m building my Sounds Write kit, too 🙂 Just wondering what you’ve found to be the most versatile and used magnetic letters? I’m unsure as to which ones to purchase (i.e. would colourful ones be too confusing for kids as they start to build words? Is is better to get individual letters rather than ones that come with digraphs and trigraphs already built?) Would appreciate anything you can share 🙂
Hey Eliza,
Thanks for stopping by and your lovely comment. How exciting getting all of your Sounds-Write stuff together, so much fun! I like the magnetic letters by DSF. They have them for the single sounds, but also for digraphs, trigraphs and vowel teams. And yes I think it’s fine to have them with the digraphs etc as Sounds-Write focuses on sounds, rather than individual letters.
You can check them out here: http://store.dsf.net.au/resources-developed-by-dsf/phonics-activity-pack-budget.
I hope that helps.
Cheers
Mel