Plastic Bin and Toolbox Organization for Monday Made It

This week, for Tara's Monday Made It, I am posting pics of some of my plastic drawer storage that I recently spruced up.

First off, I have my lovely toolbox.  My inspiration came from the hundreds of other toolboxes that have been floating around over the last few weeks.  I think the first one I saw was from Create Teach Share.  Trying to stick with my robot theme I added a head on top along with a pencil holder.  Ok, so it doesn't really look like a robot.  You'll have to squint to see it.  Look for the eyes and the smiley face.

I use the plastic drawers from Walmart to store papers and handouts.  One is used for our reading center materials for the week and the other two are used for my handouts for the week, organized by subject.  You can download some of these labels here and here.

 

I have 5 iPods that we use in our classroom.  I house them in a 5-drawer plastic bin.  Each drawer contains one iPod.  I number them and assign students a specific number iPod.  This helps me hold students accountable for how they handle the iPods.  My husband drilled a hole in the back of each drawer so that I could run the wires through to easily charge them.  My school provided me with a super cool charger that plugs into the wall and can charge up to 4 iPods at a time.  When students place their iPod back into the drawer, they hook it up to charge.  I know I know...4 iPods can charge at once, but I have 5.  I usually have around 20 students in class and I divide them into 5 groups of 4 for reading centers.  Therefore, I usually do not have to assign anyone the 5th iPod.  It sits as a back up in case we have trouble with one of the first four or it is used for other things.  However, to charge it, I just rotate it through the other drawers at night and place it back in the correct drawer in the morning.  I typically only have to do this once a week since it is used less often.  You can download my iPod labels here.

I'd love to find a charger for my iPods that plugs into the wall and can charge all 5 at once.  If you happen to know where one is please let me know. 

Link up with Tara for Monday Made It and check out all the super cool things everyone made this week.

*  *  *  *  *  UPDATE - 7/10/12 *  *  *  *  *

Thanks for all the great compliments!  Here is a copy of a cursive label that you can add to your plastic storage bins (if you are making one).  I received the iPod charger from my school about 2 years ago.  I looked it up online and you can still buy one.  You can purchase one at Amazon.  It is on sale for $9.99.  Not a bad deal for the convenience it brings.