With another school year now upon us, I'm thinking of changing my filing system. Last year I filed papers into files- However, I am considering 3 hole punching everything and switching over to binder so that things are neater and have some type of order to them rather than just shoved into a file. So how do you organize your teaching materials and why do you do it this way?
I am thinking the same as you chatter. I had everything in files, but I found it too cumbersome to have to put away a file, get out a new one. Especially since a lot of what I do is across several chapters. I'm thinking binders will be a lot more accessible.
I switched to binders this year, after using files last year. I love the binders. I organize by subject area, and further by unit. I also have a binder that has seasonal activities, a binder for parent communication, and because we test pretty much weekly in reading, I have a seperate binder for tests. Anytime I print something to copy, or get a note from a parent, I hole-punch it and put it in a binder right away!
I'm a file girl...I found that it's easier for me to grab a file to take home to plan with rather than lug a big binder and have to search for what I was looking for...and honestly this year, I'm really trying to reduce on my paper copies of things, if I can I keep it on the computer and I'm organizing each thing into folders on my computer... I always start very motivated, and by xmas am a complete mess
I'm a fan of binders too! I have one for my current year class info (this includes roster, newsletters, parent contacts, behavior notes, etc), one for assessment data, and one for faculty related stuff (team meeting notes, faculty meeting notes, calendars, etc). I still keep a file for each student for their portfolio. My principal is always impressed when I can walk into his office with a couple of notebooks and show him what's been happening in my classroom! I still have some lesson stuff in file cabinets but am working on getting most of my favorite things scanned and organized on my computer & flash drive backup.
I am switching to binders this year. Over the summer I put all my craft templates in binders by theme. I am keeping up with it so far but have found it is better if I take out the whole page protector not just take out the template because it is easier to put the whole thing back than find the empty page protector. I also started binders for alphabet stuff, numbers, etc. and one for admin. stuff. So far it is keeping me more organized.
I just started as the Head Teacher for my Pre-K class AND have everything in files, due to what the last teacher had. She had all kinds of unrelated papers in file folders and I had to separate and retitle, BUT I will be moving them into BINDER ASAP! It's so much neater looking and it'll keep me ORGANIZED much better! NO MORE LOOSE PAPERS for me! Rebel1
For my own files: small one inch binders for each unit. Tabbed by lesson with unit plan in front. Same set up on computer. I also have a large 2 inch binder for all my department chair duties. Department files: large 3 inch binders for dividers for each unit.
I have my team binder with my curriculum and team notes. I have holiday and crafty stuff in binders by month. I some stuff in file folders. I have assessment stuff in one huge assessment binder. I take that binder to RTI meetings and have gotten compliments for being so organized. Pfft - me? Organized?
I LOVE binders. I have them organized by subject and unit. It's much easier to see what you have. I hate file cabinets because all you see are the tabs and you have to actually take something out to look at it. Also, I use plastic sleeves instead of 3-hole punching everything. It's really easy to just pull something out, plus the sleeves can hold transparencies and other small materials.
I have been doing binders for the pst 4 years and I will never go back!! Everything is organized and easy access. I also keep my binders in my file drawers of my desk. They fit side ways with the spine facing up, nice and organized.
neither-scan it all into your computer and keep it electronic. I backup onto my flash drive every now and again
Great idea. A lot of my stuff can't be scanned. It is booklet examples, examples of things (living/nonliving sort with cut out magazine pics), etc.
I'm a file girl if I have to have a hard copy. I'm a big fan of creating things on the computer and saving it there. It keeps me a lot neater, but I do have copies in the filing cabinets (which are in my closet). I do use binders with items that I am currently using, especially our new intervention guided reading system. There's so much paper work to keep up with, that the only way to keep it straight is to put it in a binder. When the week is over, I put the materials and orginal copies into a file, inside a hanging file, inside a crate (I know...it sounds a bit much, but it actually works for this system). We have so many binders that we are required to keep, that when we're given a new one we usually roll our eyes (if not anything else along with it).
I've switched over to binders this year, I still have lots of things in files, but won't worry with them until I have to.
