Keeping Students Organized Using "In-Class" Folders

I'm not big on assigning homework. Half the class won't do it and half the class will. Then some students are ahead and some students are behind. Yes, the consequence for the ones who are behind will be a lower grade (or failing grade). That doesn't work for me either. Those same students who don't do homework will often still have a lower grade than the super prepared and hardworking students, simply because they are lower performing students. AND THAT'S OK. Everyone doesn't work at the same level or pace or with the same motivation and as teachers we shouldn't expect that. It's our complicated job to figure out how to reach all students and help them grow and be successful regardless of their current abilities. Assigning homework that I know will not be done by my lowest performing students only ensures that they will be less prepared for the next topic or skill that is learned, causing them to fall even more behind. It becomes a cycle that further separates the hardworking students from those who- let’s say- need a bit more encouragement. So, there is no homework in Mrs. Taylor's class.

My alternative is just doing all of the work in class. This way, stronger students can work with weaker students and I am there to guide and help everyone so that they grow and learn no matter what level they started at. This helps foster a collaborative environment in my classroom which I LOVE! It also means that some activities and assignments will span several days and students have to keep up with their work from day to day, but not do it for homework.

Last year I used crates to hand back and store graded work. Each student had a file that some checked periodically for graded work. I found, however, that many students were using their folder in the crate to store work that we were doing in class so they didn't accidentally lose it from one day to the next. So from that, I developed my current folder system.

Each class has a crate. Each student has a “file” (hanging file folder). I also had each student buy a pocket folder for my class, plus loose-leaf notebook paper to keep in the folder so it’s handy for taking notes. They also keep a stack of post-it notes in their folder to use for their exit tickets at the end of the class. Everything is all in one place and it never leaves the classroom. They get their folder out of the crate when they come into the classroom and at the end of the class they put it back!

Here are three benefits of the in-class folder system that I have found:

1.     Nothing gets lost and I don’t have to print out a ton of extra copies for those “less organized” students who always seem to lose their work and need a new handout. 

2.    Lower performing students are not burdened with homework they won't or can't do. Some students really do struggle with working independently- especially in a history class that requires a significant amount of reading and analytical response. And in many cases, they just don’t do it because it’s hard. They fall further and further behind in both content and skill. This just reinforces to them that they aren’t capable and in many cases causes students to just give up. The folder system ensures weaker students always have access to stronger students who can help them. And I am always there, of course, to make sure that everyone is on track and give additional support to those who need it the most.  

3.    An added bonus is that it models organization for those who struggle with that skill. Because let’s be honest, some people are gifted with organization and some people are just NOT.  Though my folders stay in the classroom, this is a method of organization students could implement in other classes.

As with anything, there are drawbacks. Here are a few and how I have tried to overcome them.

PROBLEM: Students (and parents) do not have access to information and class goings on at home.

SOLUTION: I make everything we do in class available on my class website that students and     parents can access anytime. I also use Remind, which now includes a chat function so parents and students can ask questions or voice concerns any time outside of class.

PROBLEM: Students do not have materials to study for tests at home.

SOLUTION: Again, I make everything is available online. In addition, I also provide a study guide that condenses everything we’ve learned into a single worksheet. We complete it as a class for review and students may take it home to study. There is no harm if they do not bring it back because it has already been checked. Furthermore, the textbook is available online for students to use whenever they want. I have provided a link to the book on my website.  

PROBLEM: Students who were absent may be forced to complete all of their work at school.

SOLUTION: Students have the option to check their folder out and take it home. Alternatively, they could just take home the papers they need and leave the folder in the classroom. They must bring the completed paper back in order to get a grade, but it eliminates the possibility of the folder getting lost. And again, everything is made available on the class website, so it is not necessary to take any materials home as long as a student has Internet access.

PROBLEM: Doing all the work in class may mean taking longer to teach certain topics and risk not covering all the necessary material.

SOLUTION: There is the risk of going too slowly and not covering all the information. This system does require me to stick to a fairly strict schedule. I also know that my personal teaching style has in the past, paced my classes faster than other teachers teaching my same subjects. This means that personally, I have some wiggle room in the schedule to slow my pace down and allow for work to be completed in class.

I’ve tried very hard to think through all the possible scenarios that might arise and I may tweak my system throughout the year to make it fit for specific students. All in all, I think it will serve well. I also intend to get student feedback as we fall into a routine to see how it is working for them! Thoughts and suggestions are welcome!

Lauren

My Organized Classroom

I have already been less faithful to blog then I intended to be. I meant to write this post last week, but with all the crazy business of getting ready for school, I just didn't have time. And when I did have time, I was exhausted.

I wrote last about how this is the first year I get to teach at the same school two years in a row. And let me tell you, it is just as magical as I anticipated! Everything I thought would be true about the experience is, and it's been wonderful. Since I was super prepared before teachers went back to school, I was able to focus the week of inservice on putting together my classroom EXACTLY how I wanted it.

In the corner of the picture below is my desk area. I like an "L" shape so I have lots of room to organize all the papers I will accumulate. Everything needs to have a space and if I don't have at least two "teacher desk size areas" things pile up and I just can't handle it! Like, it makes my blood pressure rise. No joke. The other long table with all the crates is for my students. Each crate is labeled with a class and this is where they will keep their folders that they use everyday in class. One day I will explain this system in depth and why I'm using it this year!

This is the "student hub." This is where students go for practically anything they would need during my class. There are actually even more labels on the wall now, spelling out exactly what each thing is so students are not confused about the purpose of each tray, clipboard or basket. (One week into school and someone has already ignored the signs, but you can't blame me for trying! hopefully they'll get it eventually!) The gray trays are for students to turn in work. They won't actually turn in much work because I HATE paperwork, but somethings just can't be checked in class. Like tests, and essays. So it's important they know where to put those things. The black trays are for students to pick up handouts that we use in class. Rather than me taking time to pass everything out, each student grabs what is needed and class is ready to begin when the bell rings. The black basket has file folders for each class I teach (U.S. and World History). This is where extra copies of handouts are moved so that students who were absent can easily find what they need without having to consult me. I also have a textbook checkout sheet in case a student needs to take a book home for some reason (because I do not assign books to each student). The other clipboard is where students sign out when they need to leave the classroom to go to the bathroom, nurse, office, or another teacher. There is clearly no sheet in the picture, but I have put several there since school has officially started. All of the items on the shelf are for student use too: books, dictionaries, extra pencils, pencil sharpener, hole punch, stapler, kleenex, germ-x.  Everything in the picture is for the students. 

This is one view of my classroom that allows you to see how the desks are arranged. I HATE rows. I think they are the most boring an inefficient way to place students. I started with groups because I use basically all of the walls in my room for instruction at some point. The projector and screen is perpendicular to the chalkboard, both of which I use regularly, sometimes at the same time. On the wall opposite the chalkboard is a white board where I post weekly schedules for my students and maps that I reference from time to time. Furthermore, when I teach I walk around. And if I do choose to sit briefly, I sit on top of my desk which is opposite the projector. So it's important for students to be able to see every part of the room easily, and groups seem to accomplish this. I have also learned how to arrange them so that the opening in the desk is not blocked by anything so it's easy for students (regardless of size) to get in and out.

I tried zip-tying the inside legs together to further prevent them from moving. Warning to all other teachers who saw this seemingly brilliant idea on Pinterest, like I did: It doesn't actually work. Maybe if you could find super heavy duty zip ties they would hold. But after only ONE DAY of school, I already had desks coming apart. And I don't think anyone did it on purpose. I accidentally pulled them apart just trying to make a minor adjustment to one of the groups. But, since I have them arranged where it's easy to get in and out, no one has really moved them much. At least not yet. I suppose I'll see if this holds true as the year progresses and they all get more comfortable in my class.

So this is the gist of my room. I was finally able to get rid of everything the previous teacher left so there is no junk and no clutter. (which makes me happy!) My room is exactly how I would like it and it's all because I was able to be prepared. It's amazing what can be accomplish when there is a plan already in place! That's all for now, more to come!

Have a happy school year!

Lauren