Freebie on a Friday: Station Basket Labels

My literacy station baskets are something that ALWAYS change every year.  If I'm being completely honest, I keep changing it because I still haven't quite found a system that is exactly what I am looking for--and I will probably add to my baskets this year, or I might just change it completely again.  But I wanted to share my basket system and labels with you, because you may be just like me--always searching for new ideas, and looking for ways to make literacy stations more organized, engaging, and purposeful. 

Why I liked my system this past year:

1.  My room looks organized and fairly "clutter free"--everything needed for a particular activity or station is kept underneath my class library, in the green baskets.  The kids take the baskets to a spot in our classroom to work.  For cleanup, everything gets placed back inside the baskets and stored away--out of my face.  {Sidenote: it DOES take LOTS of practice to make the kids understand that we don't just throw everything in the basket and run away, because that's how materials get smushed, scrunched, and ruined!}    

2.  The picture clues on the front of the basket are helpful at the beginning of first grade, and the "I Can" lists are great reminders for the middle of the year and beyond.

3.  With the variety of baskets, I pushed myself to be a little more creative with station choices--I especially loved the scientist station basket-- integrating our science unit of study with literacy was F-U-N.

4.  I like cute labels..."And I cannot lie..."  Melonheadz clip art.  Enough said.

A few of the basket labels are shown below:

I hope my station basket labels are something you might be able to use, or that they inspire you to create a new station system that you love!  Click on the picture below for your freebie!  What fun things do you add to your literacy stations?  Have any suggestions or new ideas for me?  Leave a comment or a link!  I would love to read all about it!