Montessori classrooms are "prepared environments" designed to promote a child's senses and collaboration skills. Classes are for children between the ages of 2 and 6, and cover the scope of the entire age span. This allows younger students to observe older ones in hopes of developing leadership skills. Montessori classrooms are commonly filled with plants, music, educational toys, and other devices to stimulate a student's senses. All of this educational paraphernalia can sometimes be a storage issue. There are several different storage containers that can help.
Accordion Files
You can find expanding accordion files at any office supply store in a variety of colors. Accordion files allow you to store several documents without taking up a lot of room. Standard accordion files can store documents up to 8 1/2 by 11 inches in size, such as handouts, worksheets and other kinds of homework. Be sure to keep them organized, such as by class or season.
Plastic Shoe Boxes
Plastic shoe boxes are the perfect size for storing on a shelf. They are commonly narrow enough so that they take up a minimum amount of space. Plastic shoe boxes are suitable for storing items such as note cards, name tags or photographs.
Library Display Units
Library display units are tall and narrow enough to put in a corner of the classroom of next to other shelves. Most models feature five 1 1/2-inch deep shelves that can fit books, magazines and other reading materials. Students will have fun displaying their favorite books.
Cubicles Organizer
Home furnishings manufacturer Closet Maid makes cubicle organizers that feature several fabric drawers stacked upon each other. The stacking makes the organizers more tall than wide, increasing the amount of room in the classroom.
10-Drawer Mobile Organizer
A 10-drawer mobile organizer features 10 colorful containers on a chrome frame. The frame features wheels so you can easily move the unit out of the way if necessary. Be careful that the shelves do not slide off of the frame when replacing them.
Easy Label Teaching Totes
Easy label teaching totes are colorful plastic containers that are suitable for holding paper materials as well as smaller items such as toys, pencils and erasers. The front of each tote features a clear plastic pocket for easy labeling. They are commonly sold in sets of two or four.
Low Shelves
A Montessori classroom should feature plenty of low shelves so that children can remove and replace items on their own. This will also teach the children organization skills. Plastic and wooden shelving units are available from a variety of retailers.
Tags: containers that, items such, Montessori classrooms, narrow enough, Plastic shoe, Plastic shoe boxes, shelves that
