This is a handy list of ten ways to use storage envelopes in the classroom. These storage envelopes can also be called pouches, sleeves, or cases. Some are used for active learning while others work behind the scenes to keep things organized. Each item and function is a little different but they all help you to have classroom systems that promote order and neatness. 

I love to find awesome classroom organization ideas. As an Amazon affiliate, I may earn a commission for purchases using my links. The ideas below are the best ways to use storage envelopes in the classroom.

Ways to Use Storage Envelopes in the Classroom

Here are all the things you can do with clear plastic encelopes, dry erase sleeves, and clear zipper pouches in your classroom:

Display student work in dry erase pockets: Use lots of dry erase pockets to show your students’ work for each subject on a large wall area or bulletin board display. These pockets can hold a lot of work.

Storing technology supplies: Just attach a number system to each bag for your technology stations and you’re good to go. Store earphones and splitters, computer mouse stuff and connecting cords. This is one of the most popular ways to use storage envelopes in the classroom. See more technology storage ideas in this blog post.

Use clear pouches for storing classroom puzzles: These pouches keep out the dust and students can see what’s inside without having to go digging up through boxes to find them. The clear ones with the black zippers can be labeled for different classrom games.

Use them clear envelopes everyday for classroom centers: Color coded translucent pockets are great for daily use in centers. Everything needed for a particular skill or game can fit one pouch and the snap enclosure ensures that the pieces do not get lost.

Clear Pockets for Handwriting Worksheets: These dry-erase pockets can be used for any worksheet that you want students to do over and over again for practice. Handwriting is the number one skill that takes a lot of repitition to get it mastered. These clear sleeves are perfect for this.

Use translucent zipper pouch ducument bags to make math kits for your students: If you need to make individual supply class kits for different subjects, these pouches are sturdy enough to last and the zips are different colors for color coding.

Use clear zipper bags for classroom storage: These are actually travel storage bags that you can use to file away important student folders or subject area work. These durable zipper bags allow for easy sorting.

Store student’s supplies in mesh window pouches: These pouches can be kept in bins or hang on a door as in the pictures above. They have a transparent mesh on the front and a solid color on the back. I love that the colors are so bright and they are durable too. The most out-of-the-box thing I’ve seen with these is to use shower curtain rings to hang them from student desks, but you can use zip ties if your prefer.

Use clear binder pouches for storing small activity cards: Clear pouches for ring binders have the three holes for staying secured in the binder. These are great for storing the small cards for busy binder activities. 

Use sleeves to store classroom centers on the classroom door: To save on space, clear pockets on a classroom door make a handy center for early finishers.

Use dry-erase sleeves to display standards in a bulletin board: This teacher used clear pockets for displaying standards. See more ideas for making bulletin boards for displaying standards or student work here.

Make Reading packets: Use clear or translucent plastic envelopes with snap closures as reading bags. Put selected books in them for each of your reading groups.

Use dry-erase sleeves for student work: Note that some sleeves are matte while others are shiny. The shiny ones are best because the dry-erase markers wipe off clean on them.

Keep desk plates in clear sleeves: You know those desk plates that you stick onto your students’ tables? Please, never stick them directly to your tables because when you’re ready to peel them off, they leave quite a mess. Do what this teacher did in the picture above. She said that she always places them in large sleeves, then sticks the sleeves to the desk.

I hope this has helped you get ideas for ways to use storage envelopes in the classroom.

Aside from using pouches and envelopes for classroom storage, there are lots of other ways to store classroom supplies for students. See how teachers are using dry erase sleeves for storing classroom centers here in this blog post.

If you have any questions, you can ask me anything in the comments below.