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’m a sorter. Piles, drawers & bins!
I use a 5 shelf storage unit on my desk and a wire basket. The wire basket is for homework to be turned in. Each shelf on the shelf unit has a purpose. One is for graded homework that is ready to put into my grading software, one is for memos and faculty meeting notes. The others also have specific purposes.
For paperwork for lessons I have a hanging file for each chapter/unit for each subject. Everything I need is in the folder. I only bring out the file folders from my file cabinet that I need at the time. These are put in a plastic milk crate-type container for as long as I need it.
I enjoy having access to lots of papers but if it is not in my list of things to do, I either accomplish th task at hand or I put it in my bin. The lower that bin is, the fewer things I need to get done! Keeping front of me really forces me to have a “finish it or file it” mentality - I call it my “F&F pile”
Good luck to all of us as we use the summer months to get organized!
Tanya
I use filing folders and binders for each student. I teach Life Skills, so I constantly have a barrage of student specific information coming at me. The binders work wonderfully to organize important notes, student information, assessments, and other necessary information that I am constantly needing access to. Any new paperwork is placed in a basket and filed in the binders first thing at the end of the day.
I also have student specific work tasks for each child. The filing folders are labeled by child and hold multiple copies of the worksheets and lists of work tasks they use, and a second folder per child holds copies of their completed work for assessments. The binders and folders are kept together in a cabinet that has shelves and filing drawers for easy access to all of the info.
I’m a piler too. I do best if I put things away right away, otherwise I get behind. I’m still trying to think of ideas that will help me stay ahead of the mess this year. I think that I’m going to buy some portable crates and make files in them for each child. But I’ll be watching these ideas for ideas.
Yikes, I’m a piler, too. I have resigned myself to staying after school for a few minutes to straighten it out. I don’t mind the quiet 10 minutes after school as it saves me much more in the way of being able to be with the kids and keep them on task. The day seems to run smoother when I am not having to turn my back (or get off task myself)to put the papers where they are supposed to be.
I have a notebook for each of my students with protector sheets in them everytime I give them something to do I file it by theme, I like to file their work by theme and the assessments and evaluations I file by month, I decide which items I want to send home or keep until the year end.
I also file my theme ideas and all activities in a large note book with sheet protectors
I try to stay organize but using baskets. When students have finished their assignment I try to grade it right away. If I can’t they put it in a basket beside my desk. At the end of the day, I will grade their papers and immediately put them in their mailbox to take home. I also have a separate basket that I put the important papers I need to complete for the office, or that needs my attention within the next 48 hours. When I am finished with a unit, I put the material in a box. At the end of the nine weeks, I will sort through the box and refile the material. Although a little time consuming, I find that if I come back to it later, I have time to reflect on if the lesson was a good one or not.
I like to recruit student helpers to collect and organize student worksheets and test papers. Each student(in alphabtical order) is assigned a student number at the beginning of the year. Anytime student work needs to be collected I have a student volunteer stand in front of the class and call out student numbers. The volunteer collects the papers in numerical order, paperclips the papers together and then places them in a bin on my desk labeled “To Be Graded”. This procedure saves me the time of placing the papers in alphabetical order and they are always placed in a bin where I can easily retrieve them.
I have found binders to be really useful. It is great to have everything for the same project all in one place. I also have trays for papers that need to be filed and need to go home. My students have a tray that they turn work into as well. I also use alot of plastic storage containers and organizers in my desk and closets. I agree that it is best to find a system that works best for you!
I really like to stay organized - but it doesn’t always work! I think the most important thing is to have a system that works for you. I use several things - filing cabinet, metal racks for file folders, three drawer plastic organizers, etc. Remember the motto: A place for everything and everything in its place. It’s so much easier to stay organized if you’ve planned to be!
I am the queen of piles. I usually spend sometime after school to put it where it belongs once a week or so. I have a metal file slots for daily work that is scheduled and a basket with file folders for current theme work. It sort of works. I am not sure there is any real solution for getting rid of all those piles. I like the idea of getting rid of the big desk. That might be something I try for more room.