Hello all,
This is the first in a series of product tips. I am not being paid by anyone to share these products but I use them nearly every day in the classroom and want to share how awesome they are!
This week I want to share my not-so-secret obsession with photo storage boxes. I’m not sure where I first saw these photo storage boxes, but man, are they versatile! I already owned two boxes and then Michaels had a big sale and both my husband (who teaches Special Education at a High School) and I went out and got two more for each of our classrooms.
So. Many. Uses.
First of all, here is what I am talking about. 
You can buy these photo boxes separately or in a storage box of 12 or 16 (depending on where you get them). They come in clear and rainbow. I personally like the rainbow ones because they just make me happy, but I know others who go crazy when all the colors get mixed up or out of sorts and just stick to the clear ones. Here are the single boxes and here is the storage set from The Container Store. I get mine from Michaels (they have the 16 box case) and they can be found here and here as well as a bonus 18 pack!
Now, let me share some ways to use these bad boys:
1. Marker or crayon storage. Each student can have their own box at their desk. Or they stack nicely on a shelf.
2. Index card storage. Sight word flash cards, anyone? 
3. These can be great for storing card games so none of the cards get lost during the daily shuffle. 
4. I love these for storing independent work, specifically task cards. I have two cases full of task cards. My students love to do them, and I love to increase their independence. Incidentally, the ones I use are from Especially Education, found here.
5. First/Then boards. These can be made individually for each student. The first/then part goes on top and the pieces can get stored inside. Here are some, also from Especially Education, that I made as gifts for my paras last year. You get the idea.
6. Assessment storage. We occasionally use the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP) in our classroom. This assessment is very heavy on materials. We have lots of sections of this assessment stored in boxes in one case designated for the test. It makes it much easier having it all in one place.
If I haven’t convinced you already, these photo storage cases are a must in the classroom!
How do you store your small items?
Happy organizing,
