As I look around the classroom I see the piles, the papers, the snack wrappers. I see the posters in progress, some ideas scribbled out, doodles and even a wayward shoe. Computers that have been left on, carpet squares haphazardly stacked, and pencils on the floor. When I started teaching this would have stressed me out. I would have spent a half an hour or more straightening, re-hanging those posters and throwing out whatever I saw fit. I would have wiped, sanitized, and organized. Perhaps I would even have labeled and checked my supplies that nothing was missing. I would have made a note to myself to talk to the kids about how they needed to clean more, how we need a clean and organized classroom to function well. How their stuff shouldn’t be messed in with my stuff.
Now I organize myself, leave their piles, smile as I shut off the lights and think, “This is their room now.”
Pernille Ripp 
Well said! My students always ask to help clean the room at the end of the day. They take pride in their room.
I have to disagree with you on this one. I used to be as you just described, but found that my 4th grade students benefit from learning how to organize and take care of their things as well as their classroom. I think that my expectations for an orderly but still creative workspace helps things run smoother and teaches them respect. Respect for the people who have to pick up after them, respect for classmates who prefer order and respect for material things. This year I have 2 severe allergies in my room. We need to keep food out and wash our hands before entering the room.Like everything else, there needs to be a balance, in this case a balance between too much teacher control over the environment and student control. I believe we can give students a voice in organization but we still need to help them learn it! It very hard to undo habits of leaving things out. Believe me, I know as someone who has to work very hard at it.
Rebecca, wonderful point, and I didn't mean for it to come across as if it is chaos in our room. my students are organized in their bins and tables, but what amazes me is the extra stuff they bring in. The papers, the posters, the projects etc… That's what makes it their room.