Better than a Take Home Folder: Student Binder Organization

Student Binder organization helps you start the year off right! I have used the organizational tool since my first days in the classroom. I like student binders instead of take home folders because they hold up better. Recently I found these cute images, so I decided it was time to update the front cover… one thing led to another and it wasn’t just the cover page that was updated.

How much do student organizational binders cost?

I collected a supply fee at the beginning of the year that covered the total cost of these take home binders (about $11.99) Each student would then get their own binder at the beginning of the year. Here is the cost breakdown per student:

• Durable binder $2 per student (Costco has very 3 ring binders that last all year long.)
• Zipper pouch $1 per student at Wal-Mart
• 3 hole poly plastic folder $1.25 per student on Amazon (Wal-Mart has cheaper versions during back-to-school time.)

What do you put inside a student binder?

Inside the take home binder

I want a great place for parents to slide notes and lunch money in that would stay secure unlike in a take home folder where it could easily slip out. This is also a perfect place for me to send notes back home to the parents as well. So I added a zippered pouch. I usually find these in the pencil pouch section at Wal-Mart and they run about $1.00 each. 

I included an alphabet chart that is placed in page protectors for nightly practice.

I included a high-frequency word list for the year. Our class schedule was also inside the binder – you couldn’t fit this into a take home folder alone!

Then I had poly pocket folders that would help keep important papers straight! 

Here is a close-up of our newsletter. I also copied our weekly reading log on the back. In this way, I could be sure it was seen each week. As a parent, I know life gets busy… so I want to be sure the newsletter gets home in the student binder. My students can help in this process. These class notes are a perfect way to keep parents in the know when it comes to field trips and due dates.

SIDENOTE: I have ALWAYS included my cell phone number on my newsletters. I tell my parents, “I would rather have you call me if there is a concern or issue, than worry about something all night.”  Teachers, have you ever worried about something and then it festers. For me, I worry and fret like a pro! 

Wouldn’t it be nice to just pick up the phone and talk to someone about it? And when it is your child, the fret can multiply. Wouldn’t you rather have them talk to you so you can reassure them than take it to Facebook? I have taught in a variety of schools with the full gamut of parent types. Like I said, I have always included my cell phone number and I have NEVER regretted it… EVER. 

These classroom newsletters in PowerPoint with editable components. You can highlight what you are teaching in the different subject areas. I usually completed the newsletter right after I completed my lesson plans for the next week Looking at my weekly planner while it was still fresh in my mind was a huge time saver.

I liked to change the theme every so often so it would look fresh and new. So there are 22 different themes included in this packet for your student organization binder and take home folder. It bears repeating… I always made sure to include my contact information at the top of the page.

We also have a monthly calendar where you can add:

• special dates like holidays
• deadlines
• important dates like conferences

 (This has been updated for the entire year and will continue to be each year).

Welcome parents and students

As soon as I get my student list, I send out these letters to the parents. I also let them know about the class schedule and some of our daily routines! Knowing this class information takes little time and lets the parents know more about me as a classroom teacher.

And these postcards go out to the students. Getting mail is a big deal when you are 5.

These are available for FREE and you can download them at the end of this blog post.

Managing a binder organization system

Once school gets rolling, it is a good idea to work on teaching students organizational skills. Regardless of the grade level, time invested to ensure important notes don’t wind up falling into backpack black holes is time well spent. The binders travel from school to home in the student’s backpacks. During the first few weeks of school, it is a great idea to conduct a binder check. I want to be sure the organized binder stayed organized!

The first year I used a binder system, I knew it was the answer. I hope you love them too!

You can read more about parent communication and classroom organization by clicking on the following links:

• A Parent’s Guide to Leveled Texts (FREE file included)
• Books Bags and Parent Communication (FREE file included)
• Anchor Charts for Student Behavior and Organization (Free file included)

Free Substitute Binder for Teachers 

This substitute teacher binder is a game changer.  AND it is FREE!

• Create Easy Sub Plans with a Free Substitute Binder 

You can check out this resource and download the preview to see what is included and more information on these editable pages for your student binder organization and take home folder.

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