Teaching from a Cart: Tales from an Elementary Spanish Teacher
Are you on a cart or do you have your own classroom?!
Having a classroom or teaching from a cart makes a huge difference in the day to day experiences of a teacher. I’m here to give you all the details on how I set up my cart and how I make it work for me. That said, it’s definitely one of those things that each person needs to figure out what works best for them. Teaching from a cart is definitely challenging, but, in my opinion, getting to teach elementary students makes it all worth it.
Picking a Cart to Teach From
There are many awesome options out there; so, if you’re able to choose your cart, I encourage you to look at a bunch before you decide on one.
I used to have a fancy cart with a whiteboard but have since downsized in favor of one that is easily maneuvered in and out of classrooms and the elevator. Most of my visuals are on the google slides I teach from, so I don’t feel the need to include lots of visuals for teaching on my cart.
I’m lucky enough to work with a team of awesome Elementary Spanish teachers and we all have different carts–they said I could share photos with you so here we go!
Different angles of my cart. My computer sits on the open space on top while en route to different classes.
I love to hang student artwork from the side of my bins with binder clips.
Some questions to think about when choosing a cart…
- Do you need to display visuals on it?
- Does it have enough space for teacher items as well as items for class?
- Does it have space for your computer?
- How easily does it roll / move over transitions in the flooring?
- Can you add command strips to it to help with displaying visuals?
What’s on your cart?
I’ve had tons of people ask about how to set up their carts. I will say my organization system works really well for me; and, I’m happy to share it here. That said, I’m sure you’ll figure out your favorite way to keep track of everything you need.
I will call my system the Bin Method. I start with one bin per grade level. In them, I put worksheets, books, materials for games, etc. that are specific to that grade level’s lessons. In addition to grade level bins, I have others that I put on my cart as needed.
For example, if a class will be playing a board game, I will bring the bin with game pieces. If a class will be playing bingo, I put the bin with bingo chips on my cart. OH! And if we’re practicing conversations, I bring the big basket of stuffies/puppets.
I also have bins for my teacher items on the top of my cart. Desk things I use throughout the day include, post its, pens, paper clips, binder clips, sharpie, highlighter, tape, scissors, stapler, backup staples. I also bring stickers, bandaids, kleenex, hand sanitizer, balls, puppets, and my COFFEE / water.
Don’t forget to print off and bring your schedule with you! I number my lessons so I always have my list of which class is on which lesson on a clipboard (on my cart). Who can remember all that throughout the day? Not me.
How do you remember everything?
When I’m planning lessons each day, I do not consider myself finished with a lesson until everything I need to teach it is on my cart. So, if I need copies for the lesson, they are in the bin for that grade level. If we are reading a book, it’s on the cart. If I need puppets or stuffies, on the cart. Manipulatives for a game? On. The. Cart.
Like everyone, I am, of course, human. I occasionally realize I left something in my office as I’m teaching a lesson. Luckily, I teach with some amazing teachers and they are always very gracious in covering for me as I run back to grab what we need.
Also, it’s really easy to set something down in a classroom somewhere and not ever think about it again until you need it as you’re teaching days later in another class. It can be challenging to think back and find it again! I try my best to never set things down in the classrooms I’m in and instead always put them down on my cart.
Random thoughts about teaching on a cart
More than anything, remember that YOU are the magic of your class, not the space you’re in. As much as I’d love to decorate and teach in a space dedicated to the Spanish language and cultures, I can still effectively teach in other spaces.
This advice could really be given about a variety of topics, but it’s helpful to adjust your expectations when teaching on a cart. You can’t do all the things. Accepting that some types of activities aren’t ideal when teaching on a cart allows you to focus on those that are better suited to the situation.
It can be quite challenging teaching in someone else’s space. I have found it so helpful to develop good relationships with my colleagues. It’s easier to handle frustrations when we know each other well. Being open and flexible can go a long way, as well.
Okay, there you have it! Leave questions below in the comments–I’d love to hear from you. If you’re on a cart now, I encourage you to leave some advice for us!
Related Posts
Switching from Teaching High School to Elementary
Are you on a cart or do you have your own classroom?!
Having a classroom or teaching from a cart makes a huge difference in the day to day experiences of a teacher. I’m here to give you all the details on how I set up my cart and how I make it work for me. That said, it’s definitely one of those things that each person needs to figure out what works best for them. Teaching from a cart is definitely challenging, but, in my opinion, getting to teach elementary students makes it all worth it.
Picking a Cart to Teach From
There are many awesome options out there; so, if you’re able to choose your cart, I encourage you to look at a bunch before you decide on one.
I used to have a fancy cart with a whiteboard but have since downsized in favor of one that is easily maneuvered in and out of classrooms and the elevator. Most of my visuals are on the google slides I teach from, so I don’t feel the need to include lots of visuals for teaching on my cart.
I’m lucky enough to work with a team of awesome Elementary Spanish teachers and we all have different carts–they said I could share photos with you so here we go!
Different angles of my cart. My computer sits on the open space on top while en route to different classes.
I love to hang student artwork from the side of my bins with binder clips.
Some questions to think about when choosing a cart…
- Do you need to display visuals on it?
- Does it have enough space for teacher items as well as items for class?
- Does it have space for your computer?
- How easily does it roll / move over transitions in the flooring?
- Can you add command strips to it to help with displaying visuals?
What’s on your cart?
I’ve had tons of people ask about how to set up their carts. I will say my organization system works really well for me; and, I’m happy to share it here. That said, I’m sure you’ll figure out your favorite way to keep track of everything you need.
I will call my system the Bin Method. I start with one bin per grade level. In them, I put worksheets, books, materials for games, etc. that are specific to that grade level’s lessons. In addition to grade level bins, I have others that I put on my cart as needed.
For example, if a class will be playing a board game, I will bring the bin with game pieces. If a class will be playing bingo, I put the bin with bingo chips on my cart. OH! And if we’re practicing conversations, I bring the big basket of stuffies/puppets.
I also have bins for my teacher items on the top of my cart. Desk things I use throughout the day include, post its, pens, paper clips, binder clips, sharpie, highlighter, tape, scissors, stapler, backup staples. I also bring stickers, bandaids, kleenex, hand sanitizer, balls, puppets, and my COFFEE / water.
Don’t forget to print off and bring your schedule with you! I number my lessons so I always have my list of which class is on which lesson on a clipboard (on my cart). Who can remember all that throughout the day? Not me.
How do you remember everything?
When I’m planning lessons each day, I do not consider myself finished with a lesson until everything I need to teach it is on my cart. So, if I need copies for the lesson, they are in the bin for that grade level. If we are reading a book, it’s on the cart. If I need puppets or stuffies, on the cart. Manipulatives for a game? On. The. Cart.
Like everyone, I am, of course, human. I occasionally realize I left something in my office as I’m teaching a lesson. Luckily, I teach with some amazing teachers and they are always very gracious in covering for me as I run back to grab what we need.
Also, it’s really easy to set something down in a classroom somewhere and not ever think about it again until you need it as you’re teaching days later in another class. It can be challenging to think back and find it again! I try my best to never set things down in the classrooms I’m in and instead always put them down on my cart.
Random thoughts about teaching on a cart
More than anything, remember that YOU are the magic of your class, not the space you’re in. As much as I’d love to decorate and teach in a space dedicated to the Spanish language and cultures, I can still effectively teach in other spaces.
This advice could really be given about a variety of topics, but it’s helpful to adjust your expectations when teaching on a cart. You can’t do all the things. Accepting that some types of activities aren’t ideal when teaching on a cart allows you to focus on those that are better suited to the situation.
It can be quite challenging teaching in someone else’s space. I have found it so helpful to develop good relationships with my colleagues. It’s easier to handle frustrations when we know each other well. Being open and flexible can go a long way, as well.
Okay, there you have it! Leave questions below in the comments–I’d love to hear from you. If you’re on a cart now, I encourage you to leave some advice for us!
You’ve Been Baamboozled!
Are you on a cart or do you have your own classroom?!
Having a classroom or teaching from a cart makes a huge difference in the day to day experiences of a teacher. I’m here to give you all the details on how I set up my cart and how I make it work for me. That said, it’s definitely one of those things that each person needs to figure out what works best for them. Teaching from a cart is definitely challenging, but, in my opinion, getting to teach elementary students makes it all worth it.
Picking a Cart to Teach From
There are many awesome options out there; so, if you’re able to choose your cart, I encourage you to look at a bunch before you decide on one.
I used to have a fancy cart with a whiteboard but have since downsized in favor of one that is easily maneuvered in and out of classrooms and the elevator. Most of my visuals are on the google slides I teach from, so I don’t feel the need to include lots of visuals for teaching on my cart.
I’m lucky enough to work with a team of awesome Elementary Spanish teachers and we all have different carts–they said I could share photos with you so here we go!
Different angles of my cart. My computer sits on the open space on top while en route to different classes.
I love to hang student artwork from the side of my bins with binder clips.
Some questions to think about when choosing a cart…
- Do you need to display visuals on it?
- Does it have enough space for teacher items as well as items for class?
- Does it have space for your computer?
- How easily does it roll / move over transitions in the flooring?
- Can you add command strips to it to help with displaying visuals?
What’s on your cart?
I’ve had tons of people ask about how to set up their carts. I will say my organization system works really well for me; and, I’m happy to share it here. That said, I’m sure you’ll figure out your favorite way to keep track of everything you need.
I will call my system the Bin Method. I start with one bin per grade level. In them, I put worksheets, books, materials for games, etc. that are specific to that grade level’s lessons. In addition to grade level bins, I have others that I put on my cart as needed.
For example, if a class will be playing a board game, I will bring the bin with game pieces. If a class will be playing bingo, I put the bin with bingo chips on my cart. OH! And if we’re practicing conversations, I bring the big basket of stuffies/puppets.
I also have bins for my teacher items on the top of my cart. Desk things I use throughout the day include, post its, pens, paper clips, binder clips, sharpie, highlighter, tape, scissors, stapler, backup staples. I also bring stickers, bandaids, kleenex, hand sanitizer, balls, puppets, and my COFFEE / water.
Don’t forget to print off and bring your schedule with you! I number my lessons so I always have my list of which class is on which lesson on a clipboard (on my cart). Who can remember all that throughout the day? Not me.
How do you remember everything?
When I’m planning lessons each day, I do not consider myself finished with a lesson until everything I need to teach it is on my cart. So, if I need copies for the lesson, they are in the bin for that grade level. If we are reading a book, it’s on the cart. If I need puppets or stuffies, on the cart. Manipulatives for a game? On. The. Cart.
Like everyone, I am, of course, human. I occasionally realize I left something in my office as I’m teaching a lesson. Luckily, I teach with some amazing teachers and they are always very gracious in covering for me as I run back to grab what we need.
Also, it’s really easy to set something down in a classroom somewhere and not ever think about it again until you need it as you’re teaching days later in another class. It can be challenging to think back and find it again! I try my best to never set things down in the classrooms I’m in and instead always put them down on my cart.
Random thoughts about teaching on a cart
More than anything, remember that YOU are the magic of your class, not the space you’re in. As much as I’d love to decorate and teach in a space dedicated to the Spanish language and cultures, I can still effectively teach in other spaces.
This advice could really be given about a variety of topics, but it’s helpful to adjust your expectations when teaching on a cart. You can’t do all the things. Accepting that some types of activities aren’t ideal when teaching on a cart allows you to focus on those that are better suited to the situation.
It can be quite challenging teaching in someone else’s space. I have found it so helpful to develop good relationships with my colleagues. It’s easier to handle frustrations when we know each other well. Being open and flexible can go a long way, as well.
Okay, there you have it! Leave questions below in the comments–I’d love to hear from you. If you’re on a cart now, I encourage you to leave some advice for us!