Paperwork SOS
Posted by Diane Badden on 09 Jun 2010 | Posted in: Organization and Supplies
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Can you guess which office is mine? Send in the clutter crew! When I’m deep in a project, I tend to use the “stack and shove” filing system rather than the “put away” filing system. My rationale? Why should I put something away when I’m going to need it again? I see it as a timesaver. (I really am in denial about the whole thing, aren’t I?  )
I struggled to keep a clean desk as a teacher too. My desk was a drop-off zone. I dropped off teacher guides, student work, mail, office memos, and so on. My rationale? I needed to be with the kids. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who needs to come to grips with her paperwork issues. Maybe you have some tips to share? All ears! Diane |
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60 Responses to “Paperwork SOS”
More Comments Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 » Show All Comments
More Comments Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 » Show All Comments
I crave order and really have a gift on how to arrange and organize things BUT find it hard to motivate myself to keep up with it all. So, a teacher friend from across the hall who has the same pile problem and I made a deal. On Friday we check each others’ rooms. If it is pile free we treat ourselves to a Starbucks or treat of choice together on the way home. If not, we help the other one clean up then go out for our treat! Like I say to my students, “Friends help friends!”
I tend to stack stuff. I was going to get rid of my desk, but then I would stack stuff on my circle table and that would cause more problems. This year I created a file folder for each chapter in our math book, each reading story and their concepts, science, social studies, and writing.
I took about three weeks to tear apart my Mailbox magazines. I printed off any pages that were double sided so I had both sides. I then filed each page into the appropriate file. It took a while, but now I can actually find all of the activities that I love and use them instead of forgetting them.
I live by file boxes and binders. Without either, I don’t know what I’d do! Oh, and a list telling me exactly what is in each.
I am a lot like Dianne and love reading some of the suggestions that are posted in reply. I attempt to keep caught up on my filing on a daily basis, however I often find myself behind.
I have two filing cabinets one for yearly things I use every year and the other for things I use on a weekly basis. That was I have access to things *quickly*, if they are where they are supposed to be
I try to organize in the storage boxes I bought this past year. I have found that if I take 2 extra minutes to put away papers daily, then I don’t have a big mess at the end of the week, month, etc.
I have a file folder for each student. I keep all papers for each student in his or her individual files.
I also have a great filing system. I make a file folder specifically for memos from the principal. Then, when I notice any recurring themes, I make a file folder for those things also. I would rather make a file folder and rarely need it than to have papers just lying around on my desk. My desk has to be clutter free or I just can’t funtion well.
I also work hard at only handling memos, letters, etc ONCE. I read them and immediately file them where they need to go. That way, I’m not wasting time handling the same papers over and over again.
I bought 3 colored baskets where I put papers that I will use during the week, divided by subjt. matter, another for copies to be made for the following week, and the third basket for the continous papers we get but in our office boxes. On Fridays, I go through the 3rd basket and trash or file the necessary papers. It takes only 5-10 min. to do that, otherwise, I will have very tall piles!!
I’m a piler and a stacker.
Yet, I tend to know which pile or stack I put things in. I’m an ESL 3rd grade teacher. This last year I taught my students about “trade and grade”. They would trade tests/quizzes to grade them. That helped A LOT with keeping the piles/stacks down. All I had to do was take the tests/quizzes home, put a grade on it, and put the grades in my grade book. Then I could pass them out to the students. I’m not sure if I can do that this year. My grade level is still up in the air …
What I would pile and stack though is station packets to grade, papers from the office, extra worksheets, etc. I need to figure out a way to keep those piles low.
I have never considered getting rid of my desk, but it’s a great idea. I rarely sit at it and use it mostly for helpers. Thanks for the great tip. As to the rest, every year I say I’m going to go through everything and get rid of what I don’t need, but I haven’t done it yet. Maybe this year?
I have an office file on my desk and on the table where the students do attendance. I put my important papers in my file, and the students put their papers in the appropriate folder (excuses, fieldtrip, etc.) I also have a notebook that I put student info and excuses in.
I love my folders and plastic bins. I have taught fourth grade and found a great idea. I always make 5 extra copies of everything I make - for kids that are absent, lost it, or never did it. I have 2 baskets under my desk. I keep all the “extra” paper and the students know where they get them. I keep graded papers in another basket and we pass those out on Friday. Along with passing out papers on Friday, I pass out missing grade reports. Instead of coming to me, they can look through the papers they just got back and show it to me (having 30 kids you might forget to put in a grade) or they can grab an extra paper so it isn’t missing.
I have piles all over . I go through student work each day so that is a good thing. I have to do a better job explaining to my new para where to put things. I am finding she doesn’t put anything away after centers are finished. She picks up , but doesn’t put games back on the shelves. So To help us both I bought a label maker and I am going to label where everything belongs. I find it is better to put things back right away. The papers , I have folders for each student and one for assessments.