A Sustainable Storage Strategy
by Dr Robert Dillon
WE JUST CAN’T STORE EVERYTHING FOREVER
Educators can live in a scarcity mindset. For many this has emerged from a reality of not having or getting the supplies and materials that they need to serve students year after year. This mindset though can lend itself to a level of collecting and hoarding that shrinks the available
Beyond the volume of things, many spaces lack the storage needed for the items that are essential and should remain. This lack of storage that can properly hold items in an efficient and effective way limits the useability of the learning materials that can bolster engagement, focus and attention.
Couple all of these challenges with issues surrounding storage density that leave many storage spaces half full without a way to add, and you have teachers scrambling to properly place items away when unneeded and access the materials and supplies when they are. These classroom realities make it clear that designing effective classroom and school storage requires careful consideration of multiple factors that impact both the functionality of educational spaces and the well-being of those who use them.
Here are eight areas of consideration, along with specific actions teachers and school administrators can take to better the storage reality:
1
Optimize Storage Density:
It’s essential to maximize the storage space without cluttering the classroom. Use vertical spaces such as shelves that reach up to the ceiling and invest in storage that offer a variety of compartment sizes suitable for different materials. Transparent storage containers can help in visually identifying the contents quickly, reducing the time spent searching for items
Action
Review current storage for efficiency and replace or modify those that do not make the best use of the space. Consider modular furniture that contains storage as a part of its design.
2
Limit ‘Teacher-Only’ Areas:
Space in schools is at a premium, and dedicating large areas solely for teacher use can limit resources available for student learning activities. Shared spaces can foster a more inclusive environment and better utilization of resources.
Action
Convert some of the exclusive teacher storage areas for multi-use purposes, ensuring that materials are accessible to both teachers and students when appropriate. When serving younger students, place student materials on the lower shelves and reserve the top shelves for teacher materials.
3
Organize with Color:
Visual cues are essential for students to find materials. This is especially true for our youngest learners, but all learners can save time when they can easily find items based on the color of the storage bins.
Action
Be strategic about having a few different colors of bins, so that materials, supplies and items that need to be available for easy access can be found quickly by students. By coupling color with labels that include text and pictures, students will reduce the amount of instructional time lost as they search for the things that they need.
4
Creative Use of Non-Classroom Spaces:
Schools often underutilize spaces such as corridors, under stairways, and other common areas that can be converted into effective storage areas or creative learning environments.
Action
Assess non-traditional areas within the school that can be securely used for storage or as extension areas for project-based learning, displaying student work, or storing seasonal and less frequently used items.
5
Digital Minimization of Physical Storage:
Reducing the dependency on physical resources by utilizing digital tools and resources can significantly decrease the need for physical storage space. Encouraging the use of digital textbooks, online resources, and cloud storage for student work can free up a lot of physical space.
Action
Promote the use of digital resources among the staff and students. Provide training on digital tools that can be used for teaching and learning. Set time limits or expiration dates on student projects or final products remaining in the classroom.
6
Student Involvement in Organizing and Managing Storage:
Engaging students in organizing the storage areas not only helps in maintaining these spaces but also teaches responsibility and organizational skills. It can also make the storage areas more accessible and user-friendly for everyone.
Action
Create a rotating schedule for student groups to take charge of organizing different storage areas under teacher supervision. Use this opportunity to teach organizational skills and the importance of order and tidiness.
7
Routine De-cluttering and Inventory Checks:
Accumulation of unused or rarely used items can quickly lead to clutter and inefficient use of space. Regular audits of storage spaces can help identify and remove redundant materials.
Action
Schedule semi-annual clean-ups where teachers and students review storage contents, decide what to keep, what to dispose of, and what can be recycled or donated. Consider what items are used weekly, monthly or annually and store from in a way that allows greater access to the items with greater frequency of use.
8
Community Resource Sharing:
Schools often duplicate resources that could be shared within a district or community. Establishing a system for sharing resources like art supplies, science equipment, and books can significantly reduce the individual storage needs of each school.
Action
Coordinate with other classrooms to develop a shared inventory system. This system could include a check-out process that allows schools to borrow resources from each other, thus reducing the need for each school to store everything on-site.
Moving through the scarcity mindset is simple, but when we thin our materials and supplies to impactful volume and store the remaining items in an effective and efficient way, classrooms become learning labs that flow with greater access, agency and opportunity for all students.