Get Organized! Spring Cleaning Tips for Elementary Music Classrooms
Summer is coming, and with it comes the dreaded classroom cleanout. Help yourself avoid clutter and stay organized with these tips, tricks, and FREE downloads! You can even involve your students as part of a lesson or as helpers!
Tips & Tricks
Inventory
Take stock of all your instruments: xylophones, metallophones, glockenspiels, drums, and percussion accessories. Note missing or damaged items so you can repair or reorder them before the next school year.
Clean and Check Instruments
Wipe down bars, frames, and drum heads with a soft cloth. Check for loose or missing mallets and sticks. Test each instrument for proper sound— nothing interrupts a lesson faster than a broken xylophone key!
Organize by Type and Size
Store instruments where they make sense for your lessons:
- Large instruments like bass drums and floor toms on lower shelves or carts
- Smaller percussion (shakers, triangles, tambourines) in labeled bins
- Xylophones and glockenspiels stacked carefully or on carts for easy access
Consider color-coded labels for quick student retrieval, especially for younger learners.
Create Student-Friendly Storage
Make it easy for students to return instruments at the end of class. Use clear bins, open shelves, or rolling carts so students can see where everything belongs. Consider pictures on bins for early-elementary classes to support independence.
Plan for Lessons & Movement
Arrange instruments so students can move between stations efficiently. Group similar instruments together for Orff ensemble activities or rotational stations. Leave clear pathways for safe movement— nothing interrupts a rhythm circle like a tripping hazard!
Make It Fun
Turn spring cleaning into a classroom activity: students can help wipe down drums, sort shakers, or stack xylophones. Play a spring-themed song while organizing to keep energy high. Celebrate the clean, organized classroom with a short ensemble warm-up or performance!
Checklist and Guide Downloads
Fill out this form to download our free Spring Cleaning Checklist and Spring Cleaning Guide!
