Are you tired of students not being able to find that math paper you started yesterday and want to finish today? Then you should be using student binders. I can't say my students never lose a paper anymore, but it's pretty rare.
In my classroom, organization is apriority. I keep my desk and materialsorganized and I expect my students to keep their things organized, too. That’s why every student uses a binder to keep their papers organized. Most of the time, coming into thirdgrade is the first time they’ve used a binder.So, one of our first tasks is to set up our binders. Here's how I do it.
BinderChoices
I’ve found that 1 or 1.5 inch binders area good size. If you go much larger, theytake up too much space in the desk. Ilike the binders with a clear pocket on the front so we can slide in acover. I'm able to order bindersfrom our district warehouse, so every student got the exact same binder. But you can also stock up during back-to-school sales, or put them on your class wish list.
If you have students bring in theirown binders, I suggest you do not allow the Trapper Keeper binders. These binders are set up to hold pocketfolders which are actually more difficult to keep organized. Papers need to be clipped into the three rings of a regular binder. If they're put in folder pockets, they get wrinkled, torn, and can fall out.
Dividers
The dividers with plastictabs that let you slide in a label work best. The slide in tabs come with a sheet of blank tabs that can be put through a printer to customize with the labels youwant.
These are the tabs I usually have inmy binders:
--V.I.P. Very Important Papers. This section holds pages with the classor school information. The papers inthis section usually stay all year long.
--Subject tabs There is a tab for each subject area;reading, language, spelling, math, science, and social studies.
The packet of dividers usually has eight dividers. That should be plenty to set them up the way you want.
Pockets
The pockets inside the front andback cover are used for the communications sent home and then returned toschool. The front cover is labeled Homeand the back pocket is labeled School.So, anything that needs to be seen by parents is put in the frontpocket. Anything that needs to bereturned to school should be placed in the back pocket. To tell the truth, the back pocket is oftenignored and all papers coming back to school are usually put in the frontpocket. I don't get too picky about that, as long as the papers get back and forth safely.
Using the Binders
Once you have everything ready,it’s time to show your students how to use the binders. Don’t be surprised if this is the first timeyour kids have actually used a binder.In fact, you will probably need to show them is how to open therings. The best way is to press the topand bottom openers (I don’t know the official name for those things!) If they pull the rings apart, they willeventually become misaligned and not close properly.
To save time I usually have thedividers already in the binders before I hand them out. This way, I’m sure all the dividers are putin correctly so the divider with the first tab is on top. But, I let the kids slide the labels into thetabs. Most of them can do it, but a fewwill need extra help.
As they are adding the labels,explain that papers for each section go BEHIND the tab. They must “open” the section by holding thetab and moving it from the right side to the left side of the binder. It’s just like opening a book. You open a book by moving the cover to theleft. For some reason, this is veryconfusing for some students. During thefirst couple of weeks I go around and double-check that the paper I've just asked them to put away is behind the correct tab.
I created a set of binder covers for you! There are five designs, both bw and color. There's also a template for printing the tab labels. (Click on the image)
Click on the image to download this set of binder covers. This is a PowerPoint file which is editable when it's open in PowerPoint. (IT IS NOT EDITABLE WHEN IT OPENS IN YOUR BROWSER.)
Daily Use
The main reason for using a binderis so students can keep important pieces of paper and find them later. For example,If we start working on a reading assignmentand don’t have time to finish, students put it in their binder and we get it outthe next day. Binders drasticallycut down on crumpled, torn, or lost papers.
Students don't keep every paper in their binder. If we did the binder would soon be stuffed so full it wouldn't close! My general rule is to keep ongoing work, reference pages we'll use again, and graded assignments. Practice pages we don't need anymore go in the Home pocket and hopefully are taken out at home.
I require that all graded papers stay in the binder until the end of the quarter. That way, parents can see them and if there is ever a question about a grade, the assignment is right there. It's also handy for student to look back at their work to see their progress.
Tips:
-Make it a routine to tell studentswhere to put papers in their binders. Ifyou want a math paper kept, tell them to put it in the math section of theirbinder. If it's just a practice paper that doesn't need to be kept, tell them to put it in the Home pocket to be taken out that night.Don’t assume they know where toput something.
-Check frequently to make surestudents have cleaned out the home/school pockets. You don’t want to miss any notes fromparents. Some parents don't take out the class or school announcements or flyers that are meant to be kept at home.
-Depending on my desk arrangement I had table or row captains. One of their jobs is to check to makesure all students in their group have placed a paper in the correct place. It saves me a lot of time. Plus, kids love to help each other.
-If I have a student who is especially challenged with staying organized, I assign a buddy to helphim/her.
-Have a thorough cleaning out and reorganizing at the end of each quarter. I have students take out everything we don't need anymore. The graded papers can be stapled and sent home. This way you'll start the new quarter with a fresh binder.
Do you have any special ways to keep your student binders organized? Share your fresh ideas.
As a seasoned educator with extensive experience in classroom organization and student management, I understand the critical role that effective organization plays in student success. Over the years, I've implemented various strategies to streamline the learning environment and enhance students' ability to manage their materials. The use of student binders has been a cornerstone of my organizational approach, and the positive outcomes are evident in the improved efficiency and reduced instances of lost papers.
Binder Choices: Selecting the right binder size is crucial, and based on my experience, 1 or 1.5-inch binders strike the ideal balance. Larger binders may take up excessive desk space, hindering organization. Clear-pocket binders with the option to slide in a cover offer a practical solution, allowing for easy personalization. Uniformity in binder type, whether obtained from the district warehouse or through back-to-school sales, fosters consistency and a level playing field among students.
Dividers: Dividers with plastic tabs and customizable labels contribute significantly to binder organization. In my binders, I incorporate tabs such as "V.I.P. Very Important Papers" for essential class or school information, and subject-specific tabs for reading, language, spelling, math, science, and social studies. These dividers provide a clear structure for students to categorize and locate their materials efficiently.
Pockets: Utilizing pockets within the front and back covers for home-school communication is a practical strategy. Labeling the front pocket "Home" and the back pocket "School" establishes a simple system for managing documents. While adherence to this system is encouraged, flexibility is key, understanding that papers often end up in the more accessible front pocket.
Using the Binders: Teaching students how to use binders effectively is essential, considering that for many, it might be their first encounter with this organizational tool. Demonstrating proper ring manipulation and emphasizing the placement of papers behind designated tabs helps prevent misalignment and confusion. Reinforcing the concept of "opening" sections by moving tabs from right to left, akin to turning the pages of a book, aids in comprehension.
Daily Use: The primary purpose of the binder is to facilitate daily use and ensure the safekeeping of important papers. Emphasizing the selective inclusion of ongoing work, reference pages, and graded assignments helps prevent binder overflow. Setting guidelines, such as keeping graded papers until the end of the quarter, enables easy access for both students and parents to track progress.
Tips: Providing clear instructions to students regarding where to place papers fosters consistency. Regularly checking and managing the home/school pockets, involving student leaders in the organization process, assigning buddies to those struggling with organization, and conducting periodic cleaning and reorganizing sessions contribute to the sustained effectiveness of the binder system.
In conclusion, the implementation of a well-structured binder system has proven instrumental in promoting organization, responsibility, and academic success among my students. This approach not only addresses the immediate challenge of lost papers but also cultivates essential organizational skills that extend beyond the classroom. If you have any questions or seek additional insights into maintaining organized student binders, feel free to ask.
