The Binder Battle

I have been working with my third grade team lately on coming up with a way to organize all the things we have been buying/finding/creating to go along with our Common Core Standards.  We have all created file folders to hold everything, and up until recently it had been working splendidly, but as time goes by, my collection has grown.  I'm finding myself cramming papers into corners, building stacks, and never actually re-filing anything where it should go!  It's driving my crazy!!!

So. . . in the spirit of cleanliness and sanity, I am changing my file folder system out for something a little more organized (at least for me).  My teammates are still using their file folders, and it's going great for them . . . just not so much for me.

Welcome to the abyss that was my paper pile.  Not pretty.

I started by purchasing binders from Walmart.  No fancy binders needed. I just grabbed the plain ole (cheap) white ones :)  I WILL give you a heads up by saying that it was a HUGE lifesaver for me to buy binders with the little holes cut out on the spine.  They were the cheaper option and helped when I slid in spine labels.

Then I went online and found the cutest editable binder covers by BlogHoppin'.  If you plan on making binders yourself, this was a SUPER easy template and made my life so much easier!!!

I made a binder for each of my CCSS standards.  Some people would be fine doing it by strand (just using a bigger binder), but I seriously would end up with yet another mess.  Besides, this way, I can pull the binder for whichever standard I'm working on and it's all set!!

I also made a label for the spines of the binders, just to make it super simple when I go to pull a standard, I can see it without having to fish around. 

Aren't they CUUTE!!

Inside each binder I've put card stock and tabbies I bought at Walmart (way cheaper than buying dividers).  As you know teachers, cutting corners for the sake of price is a must!  On my tabs I've put things that I MUST have organized.  My worksheets and things like that are staying in my file folders in my cabinet, but the binder is where I'll keep my Interactive Notebooks, Exit Slips, Assessments, and things like that.  If I ever want to add something, all I have to add is card stock! Simple as that!

I was really proud of the fact that my tabs match the cover of my notebook!!

I added the final touch by printing off my unpacking.  If you haven't been using your unpacking documents, they are VITAL to teaching and understanding your curriculum.  I printed myself a fresh copy and cut it all to pieces.  These went in the back sleeve of the binder, just as a quick reference for me, whenever I need it.

The final result is a MUCH neater, color coded (I chose to do each strand a different color), ORGANIZED way to keep my math materials all together!

Happy Organizing!!!