This new school year brings with it lots of exciting changes in the way I teach. The use of interactive notebooks has really been a plus and I couldn't be more pleased with how engaged my students are when we all work together to learn a new skill or revisit one already taught. They are not distracted, disinterested, or asking me how long until it's lunchtime! LOL! You can read my 9 helpful hints to successful interactive notebooking here.
At first, I was a little nervous as to where I was going to keep my student's notebooks. I don't have any built in shelving units in my classroom and it is a challenge to find room for all their textbooks, workbooks, notebooks, etc.
When the school year began, I was keeping the children's notebooks in this mailbox unit. The children used the unlabeled slot next to their name. It was working out well, except for one thing. There was a lot of time wasted while I called each table to get up, walk to the mailbox, get their notebook, and sit back down. I had to do this for all four tables. And then, we had to repeat it when it was time to put our notebooks away.
I spent a lot of time thinking about what I could do differently. How could I store my students' notebooks so that we didn't waste quality learning time retrieving them and putting them away? Over and over again!
Then it hit me!
I cannot begin to tell you how these seat sacks have completely changed my school day. Seat sacks are literally, the answer to my prayers.
My Seat Sacks came from The Original Seat Sack Company.
They have many different colors to choose from. I chose red, yellow, green, and purple, because those are the colors of my tables. See how pretty they look? Everything matches!
My students use their seat sack from the minute they enter our classroom in the morning, right up until they pack up to go home. When they first arrive, they put their take home folder in their seat sack. I used to collect them every morning and then hand them out in the afternoon. I had to find space to hold them all day and then waste time handing them out. Not any more!
My students keep their interactive notebook and their reading workbook in their seat sack, as well. They are incredibly durable and roomy. More books can easily fit inside, but that is all we have in there for now. Take home folder, marble notebook, and reading workbook.
Each seat sack comes with a blank label to write the children's names, which is inserted in a clear vinyl pocket. I decided to make my own name labels on my computer and the children colored them in. When they switch seats during the school year, they will just remove their name and put it in their new seat sack.
When it's time to work in our interactive notebook or reading workbook, all my students have to do is reach behind and grab their book. No more sitting quietly, waiting for each table to go to their mailbox to get their book. And then wait again while the books are put away.
At the end of the day, I no longer have to pass out take home folders. My students quickly and easily grab their folders from their seat sacks to color in their behavior calendar. Then, they empty their mailbox and pack up. This is all done in 5 minutes.
I kid you not when I tell you that these seat sacks have really helped to eliminate wasted time. My day runs very efficiently. And, as an added bonus, my classroom looks bright and beautiful. The seat sack colors are gorgeous!
If you would like to try seat sacks, I highly recommend these from The Original Seat Sack Company. They have many different colors and sizes to choose from. If you order the Seat Sack Classroom Pack, it also comes with a few other goodies, like a Read-n-Go Book Bag and a Hand-e-Sack Stick and Store!
I am incredibly pleased to announce that The Original Seat Sack Company is allowing me to give away a Seat Sack Classroom Pack to one of my VERY lucky followers! The winner will receive...
25 seat sack chair pocket organizers
1 Read-n-Go Book Bag
1 Hand-e-Sack Stick and Store
25 Name Tags
This contest will run for one week.
Please enter with integrity, using the rafflecopter below.
And the lucky winner is...
Kauni!
Congratulations to you!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Looks like these would be a tremendous help in the classroom!
ReplyDeleteI love these seatsacks! Thanks so much for sharing how you use them in your classroom - you room looks fantastic!!
ReplyDeleteWould love to win a set!
ReplyDeleteLove these! I was on such a tight budget, both school and personal, that I couldn't afford to buy them on my own. Let's hope for the win! LOL
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting something like this for years!! This year I am teaching a 1/2 combo class. I cannot tell you how much they would help us out!
ReplyDeleteMissGilbert01@gmail.com
Sunshine, Sand and Scissors
I've always wanted a set of there. Having tables makes it hard to store the kids' things.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori,
ReplyDeleteI was going to make them because I want them so much but maybe I can save myself a lot of time and energy and will win them! Your blog is so beautiful and filled with great content.
Fran
I have just started using interactive notebooks this year as well - and I am struggling w storage so thanks for the idea. : )
ReplyDeleteThis would be awesome! Thanks for the chance to win!!
ReplyDeleteThese would be so useful in the classroom!
ReplyDeleteMy teaching partner has these and I've always been jealous. Hers are all blue but your different colors make me even more envious!!
ReplyDeleteI love these!
ReplyDeleteI made seat sacks last year and LOVED them!!! Unfortunately, I washed and dryed them over the summer and apparently left crayons in them and it ruined them (to me...everyone said the kids wouldn't notice, but I did!!). Our home was flooded in April and the sewing machine was among the ruins, so I haven't had a chance to make new ones. These would be awesome for ANY classroom!! love the way you made your own signs and color coded them for smooth classroom management. Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteThese Seat Sacks looks amazing! Love how colorful and useful they are.
ReplyDeleteChristina :)
Christina Marie :)
Apples, Books, and Crayons
applesbooksandcrayons@gmail.com
I'd love to get these! Your classroom looks so great!
ReplyDeleteI love these! I am going to attemp interactive notebooks this year. Was not sure where I would store them. This is great!
ReplyDeleteI'm always trying to get my third graders organized! This would be great!
ReplyDeleteI'd love these! They would help my kindergartners so much! Your room looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteSo fun! I would love them!
ReplyDeleteThese would be useful in the classroom, especially with tables.
ReplyDeleteI have beem trying to find affordable seat sacks for my classroom, but I have not had much luck. My students need seat sacks to organize their supplies and books at their tables. These would be very beneficial for our classroom.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome time saver!
ReplyDeleteI just had to get rid of all of my old book bags that I used. They were so old. I would love to win a new set! Thanks for the opportunity. :)
ReplyDeleteThese would be great for my classroom. Thank you for writing this helpful post!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity! These would be great!
ReplyDeletelove it! thank you for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteI have seatsacks at my reading table and love them. I would love to have a class set. Yours is one of the first blogs I started following and you never disappoint.
ReplyDeleteThese woyld be awesome in my classroom! Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteThese look so cool!! I'd love to use these in my classroom... I can already think of tons of things to put in them :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity to win these. I have always wanted to get some but haven't been able to afford to buy them yet.
ReplyDeleteThis is just what would work in my little room
ReplyDeletePatty
These would great in my first grade classroom. I absolutely love how you color coordinated everything. It makes the classroom look clean and very organized.
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting seat sacks ever since I started teaching but could never bring myself to shell out all that money. I would love to win these!
ReplyDeleteWith 5 math classes each day, we spend a lot of extra (wasted) time passing out our interactive journals. Thank you for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteI would love to have seat sacks in my small class. What a great space saver!
ReplyDeleteI've always was curious about seat sacks. After reading how much time they save, I would love to win these! :)
ReplyDeleteThese look so cool!! I'd love to use these in my classroom... I can already think of tons of things to put in them :)
ReplyDeleteI bought a similar set many years ago and they have been wonderful. At the time our class size limit was 18. It is now 27 so a new set would be much appreciated! Thank you for offering this opportunity!
ReplyDeleteHi! I will be switching to some type of tables this year and these would work great! Love your blog!!
ReplyDeleteI love seat sacks and mine are beyond repair. I would love to win this.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win these! I have just changed districts and grade levels. I have decided to start over fresh new theme in my room. I had forgotten how expensive that is to do, but it was definitely worth it! My kindergarteners love our room :). These seat sacks would be a great addition to finish the look.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much,
Halli
Would be so wonderful in making transitions more efficient!
ReplyDeleteI have a huge class and could really use these to help alleviate traffic (students getting up and down to get materials). I can't afford them right now, so I have my fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this on your blog! I love how you color coordinated for each table.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win these! I have just changed districts and grade levels. I have decided to start over fresh new theme in my room. I had forgotten how expensive that is to do, but it was definitely worth it! My kindergarteners love our room :). These seat sacks would be a great addition to finish the look.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much,
Halli
These would be fantastic to win! Fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity to enter the giveaway! I love you blog!
ReplyDeleteThese would be great for their journals
ReplyDeleteI shared this with my friend. She just joined our team and was given a classroom that is has no cubbies or lockers or anywhere for the kids to keep their things. These would be great for her!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win a set of seat sacks! Seat sacks are so useful and effective.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting!! I love them!!!
ReplyDeleteChelsea
Kickin It Whole Brain In Texas
Oh my these would just be wonderful!!! I can just envision a clean classroom.
ReplyDeleteThese are great! I would use them the same way as you do! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAwesome giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThese would be amazing in our Headstart classroom! Thanks for your contest!
ReplyDeleteI have wanted seat sacks for such a long time!
ReplyDeleteWould love these in fun colors for my classroom!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! Fingers crossed:)
ReplyDeleteLove seat sacks and need new ones desperately!
ReplyDeleteI had someone make mine and it cost me $100. I like the variety if colors. I just have blue.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love these and really want to win!! Thank you,for the chance.
ReplyDeleteThese would be so wonderful in my first grade classroom! As you said, it saves so much wasted transition time!
ReplyDeleteWinning seat sacks!! That's a contest I love.
ReplyDeleteI love how everyone has their materials right there and that you can pick colors to coordinate with your classroom!!
ReplyDeleteWould love love love these
ReplyDeleteI love these! I tried to sew my own, but they didn't turn out so great. :/
ReplyDeleteThese look like a great way to organize the littles and colorful too!! Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteI have no storage since I switched schools. This would be a great win!!!
ReplyDeleteThese would be wonderful to have! I have been wanting them for a long time!
ReplyDeleteRambling About Reading
These seat sacks are gorgeous!! Mine are from Really Good Stuff and are about 8 years old...glad they've last this long, but they're looking pretty beat up...this would be a great win!
ReplyDeleteThese would be the answer to so many problems in my first kindergarten classroom!
ReplyDeleteI am teaching my first year in kindergarten, and these would be absolutely perfect! To quote you, "an answer to my prayers!" They look so durable and I love, love, LOVE the way you can do table colors! What a tremendous deal!
ReplyDeleteThese would be life-changing in my classroom! I am having the same problem you were -SO much wasted time going back & forth from mailboxes to their seats!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to help teach students to stay organized!
ReplyDeleteThese would be awesome for my new classroom!
ReplyDeleteThese are awesome! I would love a set for my classroom!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting some of these for awhile now! Really hope I win.. Thank you for the opportunity and the ideas :)
ReplyDeleteThese seat sacks are great!!!
ReplyDeleteI've been looking for a storage solution since I went from desks to tables this year.
ReplyDeleteI would love these!
ReplyDeleteSeat sacks and interactive notebooks!!! Happy Sunday to me.
ReplyDeleteAll of my table groups have matching supplies...I would get matching ones too :) What a fun giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteThese are awesome and I love the colors! So pretty!
ReplyDeleteThese are amazing!! I would LOVE to win these, it sounds like they make classroom routines SO much easier!
ReplyDeleteI just bought your kinder interactive phonics journal and love those! The seat sacks make a lot of sense. My kinders also spend time getting and putting away their journals/workbooks, etc. in their work box cubbies. A seat sack would save precious time. Thank you for sharing this resource!
ReplyDeleteGreat giveaway! Thanks for sharing how you used them too! :)
ReplyDeleteAmanda
First Grade Garden
I would love to win these seat sacks! I tried to make my own...epic fail! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThose would be great in my room!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity! I would love to win these!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat giveaway!! I hope I am the big winner!! These would certainly help my firsties be more organized!!
ReplyDeleteThese are awesome! I would love these!!!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win these for my kiddos. We have such limited space for storage in the classroom. I am starting interactive notebooks in Math and Reading this year and right now I am wracking my brain as to where to store them so that they are easily accessible.
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE LOVE LOVE the seat sacks. Also following you for the interactive notebooks. This will be my first year using them.
ReplyDeleteI love that you loop with your students. I'm teaching primary special education again this year, so I will start out with some of my students from last year. It's MUCH less stressful!
ReplyDeleteThese are great and would be so helpful in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI have recently been thinking of getting something like this! These would be WONDERFUL!
ReplyDeleteThese would be GREAT for my Kinders!! :)
ReplyDeleteThese would be so awesome for my special education kiddos. We can always use new ways to keep ourselves organized :)
ReplyDeleteLove how you color code the tables!
ReplyDeleteI have seen these used in other classrooms and have always wanted them to use in my classroom. These would be great for my kindergarteners
ReplyDeleteSo cool! Thanks for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteWould Love Love LOVE this!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win! I'm in a 65 year old school and have limited storage. These would be so awesome in our room and would encourage organization
ReplyDeleteI would love to have these for the exact same reasons you explained. I took out my student cubbies, and I'm having trouble passing out folders at the end of the day. I will also be starting Interactive Notebooks, and I was trying to figure out a good place to keep them. Thanks for the great tips!
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted some seat sacks. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThese would be great for my second graders to keep everything organized.
ReplyDeleteI work at a Christian Academy and storage space is a real issue. Winning a set of these seat sacks would be a blessing!
ReplyDeleteI love how your tables and seat sacks are organized by color!
ReplyDeleteI used to have a set of seat sacks and LOVED them! They lasted for 13 years and this year I didn't have enough left for a class set...would be great to win a set!
ReplyDeleteThese look great, and I would love to win! I'm always looking for ways to maximize space in my small classroom!
ReplyDeleteI never really thought about all of the ways that you can use seat sacks in the classroom. Now I really want some! :)
ReplyDeleteThese would be great for my room.
ReplyDeleteYour room is so neat and colorful!
ReplyDeleteI love seat sacks I would love to have them in my classroom!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the seat sack giveaway! Keeping my fingers crossed
ReplyDeleteLove them!
ReplyDeleteThese are awesome! They would be such a great addition to my classroom!
ReplyDeleteI love how you use them. I need them too!
ReplyDeleteI have 23 kiddos in a very small room. I think these would be wonderful!
ReplyDeletewith 24 kiddos and inherited, hand me down, hand made chair pockets, these are awesome!!
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to get these for years but I work at a high poverty school so there is never any money in the budget for such "luxury items" . I have the same exact tables but teach kindergarten and in the beginning of the year its very difficult for them to follow instructions. I have to always direct them to go inside their book bags at their cubbies to get their needed school supplies throughout the day. This takes away from instructional time and causes too much unneeded transition time. I had a friend donate 5 of her chair sacks last year and I used them for my guided reading table AND I LOVE THEM. We can easily grab our books, white boards, markers, etc... from them. I know it would make life in the classroom easy for my students if we could have a whole classroom set. I don't have a desk myself and I'm thinking one of these behind my teachers chair would work wonders too. Fingers crossed for the win.
ReplyDeleteI NEED these! I don't have room for book bins anymore and need a neat place to place books. Thanks for a great giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI have seat sacks that I have made. I would love to have the real thing!
ReplyDeleteI would love these chair pockets!! Thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteThese would be a great resource for my room!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome resource!
ReplyDeleteThese would be great as my kinders sit at tables. Thanks for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteI attempted to make some chair pockets for my students this year, but realized it would take way too much time and cloth. So, I asked all of my students to bring in pillow cases to make no-sew chair pockets. Unfortunately, this isn't working as well as I'd like. I would really love to have a set of REAL seat sacks!
ReplyDeleteLove your classroom! These would be great to keep everything at students' seats!
ReplyDeleteI need these.
ReplyDeleteI would love to have these for my desks. Thanks for sharing about them!
ReplyDeleteI would love to have these!
ReplyDeleteI would love to have these!
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted seat sacks in my classroom!! These look perfect!!
ReplyDeleteI know teachers that use these and they are wonderful! I would love a set, too!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win these seat sacks!!! Love the bright colors:)
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted these! I tried to make my own using stretchy book covers but they didn't hold much. I would love love love these and they would be perfect for my super organized classroom!
ReplyDeleteI will be a new teacher August of 2015, so this would be awesome to win! Thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to win
ReplyDeleteI would love to win a set of these! I have a cheap version that doesn't always work the way I want them to.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win a set of these! I struggle with keeping my kids organized every year. I keep thinking "I'll make some", but then I remember my sewing skills suck, lol.
ReplyDeleteThese would be awesome! We have no cubbies or lockers and my firsties would love having a seat sack!
ReplyDeleteLove these!!! I totally need a new set b/c mine are about 8 years old...and gross....and ugh! :)
ReplyDeleteNicki
Mrs. Thigpen's Kindergarten
These are a great space saver! Love your ideas!
ReplyDeleteThis is the best giveaway ever!! My desks are SO small this year & winning these would be a godsend! Fingers crossed!! :)
ReplyDeleteLisa
This would be amazing to win!!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to try out some seat sacks. Do you think they would work with older students too?
ReplyDeleteSidney
This is beyond outstanding!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the best giveaways ever!!! I would LOVE to win!!
ReplyDeleteI need these so much! I would love to win!!
ReplyDeleteThese would save so much time & space! I would love to have a set in my kindergarten room!
ReplyDeleteI have wanted a set of these for a long time! Fingers crossed :-)
ReplyDeleteI would love a set of the seat sacks to help me and my students be more organized. This is a great way to save on space and time. YEAH! Winner, winner! Chicken Dinner!
ReplyDeleteLove the seat sacks! They would be so helpful!
ReplyDeleteI'm crossing my fingers!
ReplyDeleteI have some home made seat sacks or "chair pockets" as I call them and I couldn't live without them but I would love some new ones and these look awesome!!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to use these for my kids' independent reading. Awesome giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI have NEVER wanted to win a giveaway soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo badly!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want these for my kids to do Daily 5. So cool!
ReplyDeleteThese would be great for my firsties' independent readers. Thanks Lori!
ReplyDeleteSchmidlj@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
What a wonderful and useful giveaway! I love Seat Sacks but never have enough in my budget to purchase them. I can only dream. I think they would turn my room into an organized and clutter free space for us all. keeping my fingers crossed:)
ReplyDeleteWow! These look awesome and would love to have them in my classroom.
ReplyDeleteThese look wonderful! We have the desks that lift up to open...leading to LOTS of items spilled off onto the floor. I'm into anything that makes my students have to open their desks LESS! I would love there for their interactive notebooks, journals, and folders.
ReplyDeleteOMG! I am in total need of new pocket chairs! What an awesome giveaway!!!
ReplyDeleteLink to refer to your giveaway on my blog: http://aloveliclass.blogspot.com/2014/09/seat-sacks-giveaway.html
Crossing my fingers and toes!
Fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteI'd absolutely love a set of these for my classroom!
ReplyDeleteZoe
Oh the Little Wonders
Wow! With 25 students, these would make life extremely efficient! What a fabulous idea, as always! Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteI have used seat sacks for years and couldn't do without them!!!!! They teach the kids to be organized and take care of their own things. Never thought of using them with color coding of the tables (so easy and effective). Would love a new set as mine are worn and loved.
ReplyDeleteThese look like a brilliant idea! I would love to win these for my classroom. Thanks for sharing this idea.
ReplyDeleteI would love to use seat sacks. I think they would be helpful for students who end up putting things on the floor.
ReplyDeleteThe seat sacks look like a good way for students to learn organization. I like all the colors.
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted seat sacks but couldn't afford them. I really hope I win!!!
ReplyDeletepick me, pick me! :) I want things OUT of their desks! lol
ReplyDelete♥ Jen
Teacher by the Beach
A Splash of Life Blog
I currently have my Kinder's mailing their papers to their cubbies 2-3 times a day. Oh, but now, now after reading your blog post I'm kicking myself because I thrive on organization and quicker transitions and feel like you've hit the nail on the head. If only seat sacks for a class of 25 weren't so darn expensive. Hoping this is the one contest I win! FINGERS CROSSED!
ReplyDeleteOh boy could I use a set of seat sacks to keep my students organized!! Keeping my fingers crossed :)
ReplyDeleteI could really use these to keep Read to Self bags at student desks!
ReplyDeleteThese seat sacks are fantastic! As a teacher just going back into the field, after being at home with my kids for 7 years, I would love to use these in my classroom! Thanks for this awesome opportunity!!!
ReplyDeleteThese would be great to have!
ReplyDeleteKinderIrick
This is my first year in a room with no desks. I have things stored ALL over the room. These seat sacks looks GREAT and would solve all my problems! I LOVE how you color coordinate everything. :)
ReplyDeletenhuggenberger@gmail.com
I love the seat sacks! There's no room for any storage at our tables and even with the items stored right at the tables and one table captain to get them it takes FOREVER!
ReplyDeleteI love these sacks...just too expensive for a whole class set ;-( Thanks for the opportunity to win them!
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to color code my tables with these!
ReplyDeleteWow, thank you!!! I hope I am the lucky one:)
ReplyDeleteI love seat sacks. I have used them in the past and loved them. I had my last ones for 5 years, but needed some new ones this year. What a perfect way to receive them.
ReplyDeleteI'd love these seat sacks! I have always wanted them, but couldn't afford them. Fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteJoyfully,
Sam
Seat sacks impress me for there ease of use and durability. I see great promise in how they support executive functioning skills for students with the different colors available. Thanks for sharing pictures of your use of seat sacks. Thanks to you and the company for offering us a chance to win a set!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity to enter your give-away. The Seat Sacks look great and they would be a wonderful help in my classroom. I can see how they would save time-I have the same problem of calling groups to get supplies. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting seat sacks! This would be awesome to win!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to have these!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat great ideas! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMy fifth graders would love these.
ReplyDeleteWinning a set of seat sacks would be awesome!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh....my firsties need these! Thanks so much for an amazing blog!!!
ReplyDelete~Wendy
sdwd727@gmail.com
I need some seat sacks soooo bad
ReplyDeleteI love these for interactive notebooks. I also loved your tips for interactive notebooks. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI would love to save time instead of passing out journals!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win these!!! They would be so helpful in my room!!!
ReplyDeleteJulie
These seem amazing! I would love to win!
ReplyDeleteLove the purple!
ReplyDeleteOhhh ! I would love to win these for my classroom!!! Keep up the great blogging!
ReplyDelete