5 Ways To Pack Up Your Classroom and Not Freak Out In the Fall

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Every year that I’ve taught, I’ve had to pack up almost everything in the classroom. For a few years, it was because the local Parks & Rec department would be using my room for their summer programs. A couple of times, I changed districts. This year, my classroom is getting asbestos floor tile abatement – oh, and did I mention it’s not my classroom? (I’m the long-term sub. 80% is not mine, but I’m packing it anyway.)

Hello, corrugated cardboard, nice to see you again (not).

So, I have a few tips and tricks (in list form, of course!) to packing up your room that will save your sanity in the fall, or whenever you come back.

This list assumes that you have a modicum of packing knowledge. Meaning, you are somewhat naturally inclined to be a Sorty Sorterton and not put the Halloween decor with the Math manipulatives. If your boxes tend to look something like this:

This is an actual box from my family's move a couple of years ago. I did not label this box, as you can tell by the lack of teacher handwriting.

Then you need professional help and I will refer you to the Unclutterer blog – it will change your life.

Rule #5: Get some students to help you. Note that I said SOME students, not THE students. Ask for students’ help and every hand flies up in the air (at least in elementary it does). Chose carefully and considerately, as you know which students will organize, sort, group, classify, catalog, and systematize better than you ever will. You need your personal books pulled from the classroom library? Kid help. Need to combine science materials into one box? Kid help. Figuring our which Mr. Sketch markers have gone to the Giant Scented Marker Bin in the Sky? Yep, l’aide des enfants.

Rule #4: Purge, Baby, Purge. See my prior post on this. Seriously, people. You do not want TLC channel to create a new show, based on you, called “Teacher Hoarders” do you?

Rule #3: Label Like You’re Moving Cross-Country. Try to be as detailed as possible, and avoid using labels like the one in the above photo. You don’t want to have to pull open 9 boxes only to discover what you need is in the 10th.

Rule #2: Get Started Early. Don’t wait until the last minute to pack. You don’t want to be packing up in your stifling 95 degree room when you’d really rather be somewhere…else.

Rule #1: Make a “FALL” box, and take this box home with you. This box contains the essentials that you will need for the first two weeks.  Office supplies, grade books, posters, assessments, student work, open house materials, etc. Think about what you will need to survive the first two weeks of school. What if your supply order is late or wrong? (Now THAT’S a bad scene, trust me.) Look in your lesson planning book from the first two weeks of this year. Is there anything you can put into the box now? If you make this box, you will want to go back in time and kiss yourself for being the one who’s leaving the building at a decent hour this coming September.

Are you moving out of your current classroom? What are your best packing tips? Do share!

Hang in there, Teacher Geeks. Stay strong. Finish stronger. You are awesome.

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