Getting Organized for Back to School

Aug 2

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Just a quick post to share my newest “school supplies” buy! So sad that I can get excited over colorful supplies or organizational tools – this is BOTH!

 

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My newest back to school buy!

 

 

I have been on the lookout to find some ways to tame the “paper monster” that lives in my classroom. In particular, I really wanted some cool “In/Out” boxes – for papers that I need to pass back and papers that I’ve collected, as I’ve found that this is an area that I struggle with organizing. While picking out a new book bag for my own Kindergartener, I spied these rainbow-colored sets for $10 a piece at Walmart – so of course I got TWO! They are sturdy, brightly colored and weirdly enough – make me happy! I think it’s because I can see how I’ll be using them and improving my paper piles and that’s what makes me happy!

I’ve tried different methods for paper collection, but I still struggle with keeping everything straight for each subject and each class. The biggest problem I find, is when I’m switching classrooms to teach another group. I have collected papers in a folder, a hard plastic case type of deal – but I still find that they land in a messy looking pile on the table at the front  of my room. At least this way, it’ll be an organized and contained pile.

What are your paper organizing secrets?

 

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About krystalmills

I am a Grade 7 teacher in Prince Edward Island. Lessons From The Middle shares lessons from the classroom, and occasionally from my life as a mom of two young boys. The goal of this Canadian teacher blog is to share middle school lessons, activities and ideas from my classroom and to collaborate with the wonderful online community of teachers out there as well! Thanks for stopping by!   Find me on Facebook Twitter Pinterest Browse my TPT Store Browse my TN Store

Posted on August 2, 2012, in Back to School, classroom management, Education, General Teaching and tagged , . Bookmark the permalink. 3 Comments.

  1. shannonjoe | August 2, 2012 at 11:47 pm

    I can see how they make you happy-they are happily colored up! :) LOVE them!

    I struggle with the paper trap, too-I guess we all do. And I’m still not sure how I’m going to tame that monster this year!

    My bellringer each period is going to be conversation calendars that they turn in to me and they pick up the next day. Soooooo……I will have 4 classes. I don’t have room for 4 paper trays! Not sure how to manage this one.

    Shannon
    http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com

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  2. ValiantPeebody | August 5, 2012 at 1:52 am

    I am pretty green, but here are some things I do, if they can be of any help!

    1: If I take papers home (which I try not to do, but I am a language arts teacher…) I have slim but multi-pocketed accordion file. I would have two pockets for each class period, one for the ungraded papers & one for the graded papers that are recorded/ready to be recorded based on how you do it. I also have a pocket for “no namers” and a pocket for my hard copy of my grade recording/class lists/random papers that I may need while at home.

    2: I don’t send a lot of work home, so if I expect something to be due at the end of the period, I tell kids they don’t leave until it is done, and collect them at the door. This does a few things for me: it keeps me accountable for collecting papers, ensures they go with the right class, is accountability that kids finish and also REALLY motivates the students who don’t like to work in class, but want to take everything home (and not bring it back). When I collect a stack of papers, I usually put a staple through them, to keep them together and verify who turned it in on time.

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