I have to turn in my supply list and decide what fees I want to charge each student for next school year. I use an Interactive notebook in my classes but have always used a binder. I am thinking that next year I may want to use a spiral or composition notebook. If I use one of these then I would want everyone to have the same type so I would have to collect a fee and purchase them myself. What do you use for your interactive notebooks and how has it worked out for you?
I use a composition book for my LA classes, and it has been working out great. The kids tape or glue handouts in there, so they aren't "lost" as much. I also use tons of foldables and manipulatives throughout the year, and those are taped in there too. The students take all notes in their journals, and they do all their writing in them. It has worked out fabulously this year! The parents love it because everything is all together, and the kids love it because they don't lose things as easily because they aren't putting things in a binder. I know our science department uses interactive notebooks, and they do notes on one side, and the kids have to respond on the left side. They use spirals... I am a big fan of interactive notebooks or something to that effect. Mine is kind of tweaked, I guess. I have "Black and White Composition Book" on my supply list, and there hasn't been problems with students getting them. Some are striped, some are normal ones, some are red and black. As long as it was a comp book, I didn't care. Could you do that so the kid gets the notebook you want and maybe have a few extras for the kids who can't get one/don't get one?
I use a composition book for my interactive notebook. I don't make them have all the same kind of composition notebook. I do purchase a few for students who can't afford them, but I find that students take pride in finding unique composition books. Plus it is easier for kids to find the one that belongs to them when they are in a big pile. I would also put on the supply list whatever you would want them to use to place things into the comp book. We use gluesticks, but I also have to do a short mini-lesson on effective glue techniques at the beginning of the year. Otherwise they use waaay to much and take forever to glue something in.
My seniors use a comp book (which we officially call the Compbook) for in-class work, which goes in the front half, and vocabulary, which starts at the middle. I shrink pages (essays, short readings to comment on, etc.) down to 75%, which allows two pages to be copied on one sheet, and they glue these half-sheets into their Compbooks, and sometimes I'm amazed at how long it takes - I LOVE your idea of a mini-lesson on effective glue techniques! Absolutely doing that! :woot:
I've been using spiral notebooks with my 4th graders...but next year I'm changing to composition books. The spirals aren't sturdy enough and I hate when they pull on the wire and then it hangs out the top or bottom. The notebooks also have a tendancy to get stuck together when you stack them. Composition books should work much better.
I have used 3-subject spirals for years, but the kids are so abusive with their supplies! Those that take care of their notebooks have finished products at the end of the year that look wonderful. Others have pages falling out and a real mess. I have to say that for all of the issues, I would not ever switch to compbooks for one simple reason; I can make them rip out pages if they mess up on notes and need to start over.
I'm sure these posts will provide you with a wealth of information. http://interactive-notebooks.wikispaces.com/ http://forums.atozteacherstuff.com/showthread.php?t=59756&highlight=interactive+notebook http://forums.atozteacherstuff.com/showthread.php?t=57292&highlight="interactive+notebook" http://forums.atozteacherstuff.com/showthread.php?t=57503&highlight="interactive+notebook" http://forums.atozteacherstuff.com/showthread.php?t=55528&highlight="interactive+notebook" http://forums.atozteacherstuff.com/showthread.php?t=48040&highlight="interactive+notebook"
Thanks--I am leaning toward composition books also. I have used a binder for the past 3 years but they still lose things. One more question, for those who use composition books, do you do 1 for the whole year or 1 for the first semester and 1 for the second semester?
Since some of my students have big loopy writing and fill them up faster than others, I just have them start a new one when they need to. They turn them both in to me for grading if they've transitioned into a new one since my last check.
I use two composition notebooks a year - 1st semester and 2nd semester. I find that they get a bit "worn" after one semester.
