Summer Projects

So summer has been in full swing for a few weeks and I have been busy making improvements on my classroom. I just finished my first project which was to empty out and get rid of of my big, tall, lateral file cabinet. So what to do with all the files?

Well, it seemed like much of the things I had filed were also files I had on my computer, so those immediately went into the recycling. Then I put many of my units into binders with 8-tab and 5-tab plastic pocket dividers. We had a lot of binders donated to our school so I didn't have to purchase any binders. SWEET! With our Office Depot discount the dividers were very inexpensive as well.

I color coded all the subjects and then bought colored paper at the local craft store to make binder covers. Each unit went into its own binder. They look so nice on my shelf. The picture above is just a few of the binders sitting in my bedroom bookcase. (When I get them organized in my classroom I'll post another picture.) Here is the color system I use...

Green - Science, Health, Agriculture In The Classroom
Blue - Math
Yellow - Reading, Literature, Vocabulary
Orange - Writing, Grammar, & Spelling
Purple - History & Geography
Red - Teacher Resources

I still have files, especially for math and other subjects in which I use lots of copies for packets, etc. So I still have a few short file cabinets. But I like putting much of my curriculum material in binders. I hope it works out well.