Here is one of the ideas incorporated into my year so far, a teacher organization binder. I carry it with me to all my meetings, holds all my grades, calendars and student information.
I might add more to it later but this is what I remember needing most.
Enjoy and please let me know if you think of something to add to it :)
Inside of binder. Got a free calendar book this year so I keep it in the front pocket for convenience. Any small monthly calendar would work just fine, saw cute ones at Target. I've seen others print calendars and have a tab for them. I'm cheap, I'll take free :)
TABS:
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| Important Information: schedules, class list, transportation. All very handy stuff for a sub. |
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| Student Data: This section is extra handy. I keep contact information, conference times, assessment scores (important ones not all). |
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| I use this Student Information sheet in my student data section. It's from, Busy Teachers Cafe click the link it'll take you directly to it. Love their printables! They are very good and save so much time :) |
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| Calendars: Curriculum calendar and testing calendar. |
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| Grades: I keep the districts grading requirements as well as a spreadsheet with my grades for the 9 weeks. No more grading book! |
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| Lesson Plan Ideas: I place to keep those great lesson ideas you get! |
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| Team Meeting Notes: We meet as a grade level weekly. This section allows me to keep all those notes/agendas together for documentation. |
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| Faculty/Site Base Notes: Another section for meeting notes. I like to keep all my different notes from different meetings separate so they're easier to find. You could have one section for all meeting notes. |
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| PLC Notes: Professional Learning Community notes will be organized here. |
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| I keep an ez-grader in the back pocket for easy grading at home. |
Links:
Student Informational Sheet-http://www.busyteacherscafe.com/worksheets/management/studentinfo.pdf
Font on cover sheets: http://www.dafont.com/search.php?psize=m&q=good+dog
I love the binder. When are you making me one?
ReplyDeleteI really like it too! So much easier than carrying around a ton of notebooks!
DeleteI'm not even a teacher and I want this...I'm currently trying to work out what in my life I could adapt this awesome binder to!
ReplyDeleteI am a paramedic, and my husband is a police officer. I keep one very similar to this at home with copies of birth certificates, our living wills, and important paperwork that we may need in the event of an emergency. Makes me feel better to have it all in one place.
DeleteThis is an amazing idea! I struggle with keeping myself organized and this does everything! I'm going to use your ideas and add a conference notes section.
DeleteThanks for the idea!
I love your binder! I have one but find that it is way too big and takes up way too much space. I need to try redoing mine with sections similar to yours! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteKatie
Adventures of a 6th Grade Teacher
I made something similar to this -- just an idea to add though. I keep one of those zip pouches in mine with red pens, stickers, my ez-grader or a small calculator, reward tickets/classroom money, etc so that if I'm out and about (ie daughter's swimming lessons, dance class, etc) I'm always able to correct papers. :)
ReplyDeleteI loved your idea! I now have a clear pouch with grading pens and highlighters in it. Thank you!
DeleteA small three hole punch comes in handy as well. :-)
DeleteLove this! I've had one for three years now. It keeps me sane! I have a binder for my home life, too. Flylady has directions for setting one up on her website, wwww.flylady.net.
ReplyDeleteLOVE this, I'm going to make my first one next week and I can't wait! The only thing that you could possibly add is a substitute teacher record for when you are sick. Hope that helps.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the advice! I did end up buying a "substitute folder" that I keep on my desk, it holds the same information as my "important information" section plus a simple schedule with activities that would be easily achieved if I was out unexpectedly.
DeleteI substitute and this looks great. I would like to add that a seating chart is so valuable to subs. Also a list of names so they can write what a child is wearing. I recently subbed for a field day and I made a list of kids with the color of shirt they had on and the color of hair. When we were in a small crowd I could easily refer to my list and it helped me out. I also was concerned about being able to give a brief description if something were to happen and I could not locate a student. Something else I like to know when subbing is if there are any custody issues or medical issues.
DeleteAs teachers, we aren't able to give out custody info (if WE even know it) or medical information. Supposedly, all we can give you are names and class lists. We even edit our lists to take out student numbers, SPED labels, etc...
DeleteMaybe it's just your area. We note if a kid has to go to the clinic at a certain time for meds (no specifics) and I've had kids with SEVERE bee allergies that I've noted as well. Our office prints the class lists for subs which does have student ID #s on them so it is different here for sure.
DeleteI love this and use a binder the same color. I have one section labeled "curriculum" where I keep a copy of our standard course of study as well as Common Core standards. Makes it convenient to have them when I am planning lessons.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, having those standards ready to go is super convenient!
DeleteWow! What a great binder. So simple and organized.
ReplyDeleteSara :)
Smilinginsecondgrade.blogspot.com
Love!
ReplyDeleteWe're required to have a "Coaching Folder" similar to this. We keep our seating charts, lesson plans (add most recent on top of old ones), Emergency Sub Plans, Behavior Management Plan. We have to keep it near the door so when our appraisers do a walk through they can just pick up our "folder."
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great binder! I am obsessed with being organized.. this was a big help :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to know I'm not the only obsessed one! Please share any of your ideas with me, love new ideas!
DeleteAwesome! I have one of these for home important items, recipes, room dimensions, paint searches etc.i hope to start teaching soon so this will help.
ReplyDeleteHi, Flylady.net has a "control journal" for everyday life. Great tool! Everything can fit in "Office in a bag". Makes life so much easier! See www.flylady.net for more tips on getting organized.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing! I'm defiantly going to use this asap :)
ReplyDeleteLove how you added a PLC section to your binder. My district is implementing this process.
ReplyDeleteLove the binder idea
What does your lesson plan book look like?! Please share!!!
ReplyDeleteLove this idea! I will definitely use this next year. I have too many binders. I like having one place to go. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat Idea! I can't remove my students info from the daycare center I work at but this gave me an idea on how to keep my schedule, my childrens, and scouting straight. I will make a binder with pertinent info to my needs.
ReplyDeleteUnder the faculty notes picture, it should read "they're easier to find......"
ReplyDeleteVery well organized and not only neat but attractive - something I'd be happy to cart around with me! Thanks for sharing your great idea.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your great idea, love it
ReplyDeleteThank you...just went out and got a binder to start mine :-)
ReplyDeleteAwesome! You'll love it, I can't see how I functioned without it last year.
Deletewhat size binder did you get? I start student teaching in the fall and i think this is a fantastic idea! Thanks for sharing! -Megan
ReplyDeleteI started with a one inch binder but it's not evolved to a one in a half inch binder. Really don't want to go any bigger but it's getting there. It's almost the end of the year though so when I clean it out and prep for next year it should be fine. Good luck!!
DeleteWhat is the font you used?
ReplyDeleteI downloaded from www.dafont.com. This one is called "GoodDog"
DeleteWhere did you get those neat tabs?
ReplyDeleteI picked these up at Walmart. They're Avery 8-Tab Set Plastic Dividers. They are perfect because they are plastic rather than paper tabs, I really liked the colors too!
DeleteThanks for those tips it'll help me ceep my homework organized a lot better
ReplyDeleteThis is great! Thanks for sharing! I have to be the most unorganized teacher in our building, but I want to become more organized. This is going to send me down that path! I may have to stop by Walmart this morning! I'm so excited! Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteLove it!!! I love the feeling you get before starting an organization project lol. Glad I could help ;)
DeleteI work as a HUC (Health Unit Coordinator) on a mental health unit within the hospital. I have a book similar to this and am working on another one. I have one that has every document that we, as a unit, use on a daily basis and other important info such as, staff contact list, outpatient provider lists, a list of numbers for every other unit within the hospital, and much more. The book that I'm currently working on will contain info on all of the medical issues that could take place on the unit. Very helpful though! The nurses use it all the time when I'm not there. :)
ReplyDeleteI have a binder like this! I added a section called "Keys," where I keep all the keys for the grading period (I add as I go). At the beginning of the next grading period, I take them out and put them in a file folder.
ReplyDeleteExcellent idea!
DeleteI Love the binder!! The only thing I worry about is all the "what ifs" and having student information in the wrong hands. Our school system had one of our best subs missuse student info. Any suggestions on that? I Love Love and am going to change my home management binder to something similar.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Confidentiality issues will probably always be a worry for us, sad but true. While this binder does hold personal student information it is not aimed to be in others hands. It usually is left on my desk but I have a separate "sub folder" that I leave on top. The sub folder holds SOME of the same stuff in the binder (class lists, class schedule, special needs list, routines, extra work, school map, routines) but nothing too personal like grades or contact information. This could be something you could add too. Just leave the necessary information for them to make it through the day. Hope this helped a bit :)
DeleteIf you type your student/class information on Excel, you can "hide" columns of information that a sub would never need to see. This is what I do for my sub folder information on the students and it gives me peace of mind!
DeleteI do something very similiar! I like your binder better~~better organized than mine! I am your newest follower. If you have a chance, visit my 3rd grade blog: http://thirdgradelove.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteDarleen
Third Grade Love
Thanks for the compliment and the follow! I am now also following your adorable blog, love the design. Let's keep sharing ideas :)
DeleteThank you so much for this! I have been searching everywhere for some kind of binder to keep all my important information handy. I start teaching in the fall and am sooooooo thankful for this help!
ReplyDeleteyou are very welcome! I love mine and can honestly say it would of came in handy my first year. That's the funny thing though, it's only my second year teaching and I can already tell you learn more and gather new ways each year. Don't stress! I wish you the best of luck! :)
DeleteGreat idea! I'm going to start on mine tomorrow! The only thing I'd add is a list for IEP/ILP and medical info. I had something similar called a B.E.E. binder for my students.
ReplyDeleteAwesome idea! I will be adding that for next year to my binder. Thanks for sharing :)
DeleteWhere did you get the binder tabs?
ReplyDeleteI picked these up at Walmart. They're Avery 8-Tab Set Plastic Dividers. They are perfect because they are plastic rather than paper tabs, I really liked the colors too!
DeleteWhere did you get the tabs or sections for the binder? I like the oval shape tabs. I'm assuming you added those on after you printed the sections?
ReplyDeleteI picked these up at Walmart. They're Avery 8-Tab Set Plastic Dividers. They are perfect because they are plastic rather than paper tabs. They are oval shaped so no additional work.
DeleteI printed the "title pages" on cardstock" and simply placed it behind each divider, the dividers are see through so it worked :)
Ok cool thank you!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI found the dividers you use in the binder. I'm now set to make this wonderful binder! Thank you so much for sharing. I hope this binder makes my 2nd year of teaching more organized.
ReplyDeleteYou are more than welcome! Hope it helps too :) Have a great summer!
DeleteWhere do you keep lesson plans? I find my binder gets out of control.
ReplyDeleteMy first year I typed lesson plans but let go of that because it wasn't very convenient to make those unexpected changes that come up. I gave in and started writing my plans in an old school lesson plan spiral :) It's worked because I can easily adjust as necessary. I simply keep this spiral with my binder. I am thinking of making a template for my day and using that to write in my plans this upcoming year. That way I can hole punch and put in my binder instead.
DeleteI make a lesson plan schedule on Excel. I type in everything that repeats and still have plenty of room to write in the daily lessons. I make about 10 copies at a time.
DeleteCould you post this? I'm not very familiar with Excel and always appreciate a little help. =)
DeleteWOuld you be willing and able to post this file? I'm not too handy with Excel (Word and Powerpoint and Publisher? Yes. Excel? Not so much.) and could always use a hand.
DeleteI was hoping to get that file to but seems like we're on our own Jessica ;) If i get around to making that lesson plan template I'll be sure to post it!
DeleteI can send you the one that I use. It is a word document. I am not sure how to send something through a blog though.
DeleteSo great to read how excited everyone is about the binders. I just put together a binder similar for new teachers. Each grade is required to have one but since I love this sort of thing I added extras to try and help. I also orgranized my substitute binder in a similar way. Here are my extra suggestions:
ReplyDelete1) map of school (we have one with a photo of the specialists teachers and their classrooms since our school is very large)
2) proceedures for swimming, fire drills... any special things you have
3) photo sheet of students with their names
4) extra classlists
5) transportation list and afterschool specials (our students do their afterschool activities on site)
6) our school does almost everything digitally so one has to know how to book the library, computers, work orders, etc.... so I included instructions with pictures
7) pictures of the teaching resource books that we use most
Can you tell I am a visual learner!!!! lol
Anyway, there are a few suggestions.
I have just started a blog...literally this weekend... Please come check it out.
theadventuresoftravelnteach.blogspot.nl
Marta
Thank you so much for the great suggestions!!! I'm sure a ton of people will benefit from these. Thanks for stopping by my blog, on my way to yours now ;)
DeleteMy comments on your binder weren't included... I love it! Love how colourful it is and yes, those tabs are great! I will have to check for them this summer when I am home. Miss the ease of shopping for fun teaching things.
ReplyDeleteThis is great! I haven't read through all the comments, but I have seen binders with ziplock bags 3-hole punched (with the zipper at the top) and would probably add that in a couple of sections to keep misc. papers that come at most of those meetings. Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI upgraded to a bigger binder around December (not too big, 1.5 in). The new binder had a little velcro pocket on the cover. I put those random papers in there then periodically went through them and filed them.
DeleteLove this! I am going to share your blog with my faculty when we come back in August!! :)
ReplyDeleteWow thank you so much! It means so much to me to know that others might benefit other educators. By that time I will have other projects posted for all of you to look at. Thanks again. Have a great summer!
DeleteLove it and I love the fonts! I did the same thing, but in several notebooks. I don't know why I didn't think to combine them... Makes so much more sense! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea... I teach middle school and though of this today while we had our advisement planning meeting. I am going to suggest that everyone make something similar.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea. As a SPED teacher, I can add my students progress on their goals.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I love your blog! I just graduated from SFA myself. Go Lumberjacks! :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats!! :) Go Lumberjacks!!
DeleteI like the binder. I got rid of my ez-grader after downloading quick grader app on my iPhone. It is a free easy to use app.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently doing my student teaching and have a similar binder. I have "possible daily activities," "year-long ideas," "fully planned out activities," "tips and tricks," "fully-formed lesson plans," and lists of American literature, British literature, and poems/poetry. I'm definitely going to keep you binder information to use later - I couldn't live without organization.
ReplyDeleteLove it! Might have to add some of those tabs into mine. I love me some organization :)
DeleteI love this binder! I am going to make one something like it! It will be nice to have everything right where I need it. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI would like to know how to print on the front cover and tabs. Any ideas?
ReplyDeleteI printed on the tabs by going to www.avery.com and downloading the appropriate template. The covers are clear so I printed on cardstock and stuck them behind the divider. It looks like it's printed right on the divider but it's really not. :)
DeleteOMG...at school I am known as the "binder queen"! LOL This is a nice addition/conglomeration of what I have already. I will add and take away some things to adjust it to my needs. What a WONDERFUL resource! Thanks and check out my "newish" blog: 5thgradetomfoolery.blogspot.com I am learning and trying to improve my blog constantly. I would welcome suggestions! Teri
ReplyDeleteI will be a first year middle school teacher starting in the Fall and I was excited to go out today and get everything thing I needed to start organizing. Thanks for sharing this idea!
ReplyDeleteYou could even have a section to organize the students' log-in information for websites or simple access to computers. Students can never remember this information and teachers already have enough to keep track of :)
ReplyDeleteThat is an excellent idea!
ReplyDeleteThat is an excellent idea! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThat is an excellent idea! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI also have a section for answer keys! I keep the ones I use frequently in my binder, and just tuck others in my binder pocket as I need.
ReplyDeleteLove the binder!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! Tons of comments here! LOL! I found your blog and this post via Pinterest. Although I teach at the college level, I'm going to incorporate this into my organizational plan. I'm just getting started in my career and have been trying to figure out how to organize all my info/materials/data/etc.
ReplyDeleteI purchased Clear Pocket Dividers (Avery 8-pack) with Clear Labels at Staples. (Avery Template 75501). Then I printed the intro pages on colorful paper and slipped them into the pockets. Love the idea of having so many things in one spot. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love this! What size binder do you use to fit everything?
ReplyDeleteI started with a one inch binder but as the year went by I ended up upgrading to a one in a half inch. It was pretty packed but I didn't want to go up to a two inch, I'd be less likely to carry it around.
DeleteVery nice. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat binder! I'm a new follower. Can't wait to read more!
ReplyDeleteann
The Caffeinated Classroom
This was so neatly organized. Wonderful job! I have something similar, but you gave me great ideas to add to mine. It is so much easier to have a binder than a grade book because sometimes the spine unravels and ruins the neatness of the grade book. On another side note, I love the font you are using for this blog. Would you be able to tell me what font it is. I type up many of my assignments and I would love to utilize this.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Liliana
The font for this blog is straight from blogspot, no additional download. It was an option under design in settings.
DeleteGreat organizational tool! I will be making one this year :) Also, the tip right above this comment is a good idea - a section for students' log-in info.
ReplyDeleteWhat font did you use for the comments and the descriptions under the binder photos? Is it also from dafont.com? I love that site!
ReplyDeleteThat font is actually a blogspot font. I won't lie I'm new to blogging and I'm just now learning how to use the site (hence the off centered pics lol) therefore I'm not much help on how I got the font on there. I believe its under the design tab in settings though.
DeleteLOVE it! I'm buying my notebook tonight!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, I absolutely love this! These binders should be a requirement for all teachers! Lol Thank you so much for sharing! Can't wait to see all your awesome ideas. =)
ReplyDeletemomazing31.blogspot.com
How did you get the cute titles on the actual page dividers? Stickers?
ReplyDeleteThe dividers are actually clear, I printed the text on colorful cardstock and stuck them behind the dividers :) Downloaded font at www.dafont.com
DeleteThanks for sharing your great idea. A goal of mine for this year is to be more organized. By nature I have organization in my life, but I still feel as though it is not enough. lol! I will be making one for myself this week.
ReplyDeleteLove your binder idea and all the other ideas from all of the comments.
ReplyDeleteI ABSOLUTELY love this! I will be a first year teacher this fall and have been gathering ideas from various blogs as well as Pinterest. Making this binder is in my plans for sure! Thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteHow often do you clean out your binder? Once every 9 weeks, end of a sememster, or the end of they year? It seems that the notebook would be bulging by the end of the year. Thanks! Great idea!
ReplyDeleteI actually cleaned it out at the end of the year. It was full! Like I mentioned before I had to upgrade from a one inch binder to a one in a half inch binder. You just have to be careful of what you keep in it, be selective.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this great idea! I have so many spiral notebooks with impt. info in each one and I tend to misplace them. I just grab the closest spiral notebook before I dash off for meetings. I feel so silly for not putting a binder together for myself. I love all the sections mentioned so far. I will add a technology tab to keep track of smartboard tips/notes, teacher-suggested websites, programs to implement(audacity, moviemaker...), and anything else that will help me get more technology implented into our daily routine ! I will be teaching 2nd grade for the first time this fall and I look forward to seeing what this age group can do! I have high expectations and look forward to a great year. I've taught 1st grade for eight years and I can't wait to get our year going! I have a feeling that this group will do great with Kagan Strategies and Collaborative Pairs so much more easily and quicker! THANKS for your blogs!
DeleteI just finished creating my binder and I'm taking it to my first staff meeting of the year tomorrow. Thank you so much for the idea and posting pictures!
ReplyDeleteLisa
I use plastic dividers with pockets in them---so I can easily put any small or loose pieces of paper I need in with each section. (I have mine divided by class.)
ReplyDeleteI do most of this stuff electronically though so it's always accessible in multiple places. I didn't even keep a paper copy of grades last year, (but then again, I teach technology courses so almost all of my kids' work is submitted electronically.)
Are your binder sections (the pages that say important information etc.) behind the different colored tabs, in front? Or tucked inside? I'm doing mine now (based on yours!) and I'd like it to look similar since yours looks so great!
ReplyDeleteWhat font is you student data sheet in? I like it alot I want to use it through out my binder.
ReplyDeleteHey Jenn! I love your blog and am super excited to learn from you on here :) Also bilingual teacher, about to go to Colombia and teach Engish - not sure which subjects yet.. But I'm also starting a teaching blog with dynamic activities adaptable for different subjects in school - http://teachenglishconversation.wordpress.com/ so maybe I can share some ideas with you as well! :) Thanks again for this post - super helpful!
ReplyDeleteLove this idea! Got me organized!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing!! All us teachers sure appreciate it!
ReplyDelete*Additional Useful Tabs:
ReplyDelete*RTI/ Differentiated instruction/ Student Groups
*Classroom Inventory---especially for technology equipment
*District Student Code of Conduct/ Forms/Communication Log
*Newsletters (create one with spelling,vocab,and homework)
What did you use for the label tabs (the round bits identifying each section)? I love this!
ReplyDelete