It's Tuesday again (can someone please slow the summer down!).
I'm super excited to have yet another fabulous blogger! Today I have April from The Idea Backpack here! She has some great organizations tips for you!
I am excited to help in Tori’s Teacher
Tips Tuesday. My name is April Walker and my blog is the Idea Backpack (ideabackpack.blogspot.com). I taught for
almost 4 years. For the last few months I have been working as a technical
writer because teaching jobs are so difficult to obtain! It has given me a new
appreciation for writing, formatting, organization, and editing though. I live
in Dallas, Texas. My teaching experience is with grades 3-6 for English and
Social Studies.
My natural bent is too over-think and
make lists for everything. In my several years of teaching, I did learn a few
things about organization though. I have seen lots of teacher-bloggers making
really cute binder covers for a main teacher binder. I have been making binder
covers myself, mainly because I want to move most of my files over to binders.
Here are a few tips on a teacher binder, though.
A Teacher Binder
1) Dividers!
Get dividers in
different colors and sizes. I love the dividers with pockets. Why? Well, as
much as having the perfect binder with all the right sections sounds perfect;
the truth is in the middle of the chaos of your day, you don’t always have time
to hole-punch things. You can always throw lessons and handouts in the pocket
to be hole-punched later. I also love the dividers with pockets because they
are larger. This allows you to also use normal dividers to allow for even more
sub-topics of organization. For example, I might have a pocket divider for the
first six weeks and then behind it other dividers for tests and lessons or a
divider for each subject.
My favorite dividers
at Staples: http://www.staples.com/Avery-Slash-Pocket-Insertable-Tab-Dividers-8-Tab/product_486149
The picture of the
purple folder/pocket thing is great, too, to throw in your binder. You can
store all sorts of extra whatever in there. It closes up too, which can be
helpful.
2) Make it your own
Just because someone
else has one set of categories doesn’t mean that is right for you. I have tried
having dividers for each subject, reading groups, and even a divider for each
six weeks. I like keeping my lessons and copy of all activities and tests in
the binder. It makes it easier when I have to run and make a copy of something.
When I taught multiple grades and subjects, I had a binder for each grade. Then
within each grade, I had a section for each subject. I always include a general
section at the front for school info, field trips, parent logs, etc.
3) Put sections for
things you will really use
Some years my
sections were based more on what I was told had to be in my binder than what
was really useful for me. Make sure you re-evaluate as well. If it's not
working, change it up.
A Teacher Notebook
I would also recommend having a
college-ruled notebook. I like having a 3 subject notebook. I didn’t like
taking my teacher binder to staff meetings because it was too bulky. I found a
notebook to be easier. I use the first section for meeting notes, the second
section for writing lesson planning ideas and to-do-lists, and the third
section for professional development.
My favorite notebook at Staples: http://www.staples.com/Staples-Accel-Spine-Guard-Notebook-3-Subject-8-1-2-x-11/product_892094
It is a little pricy, but it comes with
a little calendar, pockets for all those meeting handouts, and post-it flags.
You can find them on sale, too.
My biggest struggle was probably taking
and storing anecdotal student notes on reading and other types of conferences.
How do you organize your teacher binder? What sections do you find essential?
If this has been helpful at all, I would love to hear from you at ideabackpack@gmail.com.
Thank you so much April! I LOVE learning about new tips from others...especially things that have worked out well!
**Remember to stop back tomorrow as I will be reviewing some products of a blogger friend as I link up with Jessica Stanford's Product Swap!! I'm excited!**
Last thing... I'd love to have YOU be a part of Teacher Tips Tuesday! Please email me for details...it's super easy!
Thanks for stopping by!
