Non-instructional routines

[David]

I have been wondering about better ways to help my students stay organized and other miscellaneous issues. Please respond to the following. Do your students have a separate notebook for each class or do you use a three ring binder with dividers. Do your students keep all graded work and if so, where do they keep their graded work? Do your students keep a journal and if so, what do they use for their journal - a separate notebook? How often do you formally assess your students and what are your assessments- quizzes, tests, projects? Do you mostly make up your own test questions or do you use questions from the Teacher’s Edition? Thanks for your input

 

[hazeleyesinnc]

Organization

David, getting students organzied is a gigantic job. My teaming partner and I use one notebook with dividers. We've been doing this teaming thing for over 4 years now and have perfected it over the years. The only graded work that students keep in their appropriate sections of their binders are Social Studies and Science. We have packets that the students have to keep up with that go with each unit of study in Science....so its important that they have all the information for their open book/ open note test. I tried to do journals last year, but was unsuccessful. We do so many types of writing through out the year that students didn't take them seriously. We also do a combination of quizzes on short term things, test on long term items, and assessments each quarter that are put together by our county. Sometimes we have to cut and paste things in order to test exactly what we've taught and other times we use what is provided. I don't think there is any right wrong answer. You also have to be comfortable with what you do and use. I'm also trying something new this year with a cheat sheet of sorts after we've practiced and practiced items or things we've learned. Hope this was helpful and I'm sure other ppl will post and have more ideas for you...good luck!

 

[M.]

Re

My students have a notebook and folder for each subject. If a student would rather use a binder with dividers instead of notebooks and folders, I allow them too if that's what helps them keep organized. The binder method never worked for me growing up! The notebook/folder always did. I stick that, but on the school supply list, I do make a note that if they talk to mean in advance, they can use a binder method to stay organized. Most just stick with the notebooks and folders.

We journal every morning. I have a writing prompt on the board that they are expected to respond to. They have to write a minimum of 5 sentences per day usually. Other days, I just say list 10, etc.

Students are tested at the end of a chapter. I usually give a quiz everyone once in awhile. I don't really have a set number of quizzes per unit though!

I give projects when I see fit. It's hard to give a lot though because grading can be hard!

 

[M.]

Re: Forgot to add...

I should add that I don't use the book tests. I like to make my own. I usually then save these on my computer. I don't always use the same tests. It depends. I feel like every year we spend more time on different things and some years I go into way more depth, etc. The old tests are helpful to help create a new one, and I do use them sometimes, but not always.

 

[Marie]

Organization....

My teaming partner and I use the 3 ring binder with dividers. Then they have portfolio folders for a writing handbook, math journal, and a science experiment folder. We have a special reading log that every fifth grade student gets from the school and an agenda book. Their notes go in the binders, as well as any handouts. I like that because everything is in one place. I have a crate for my homeroom class, and my partners homeroom class with file folders in them, one for each student in ABC order. When I grade something, I put it in their file. Then, on Thursdays, I send home a communication folder with all their graded work for the week. Occasionally, I keep things I think they might need for the unit. I usually cut and paste a test...remember that textbooks are not made for a particular state, so make sure that you are testing on what your state standards require you to teach. I try to give at least one graded assignment every week so that I have enough grades. I would do a binder check once every nine weeks and give an organization grade to average in to their grade. If they have all their stuff in the correct place, they get rewarded. I also make my students draw a map for their desk and keep a table of contents for each divided section in their binder. Its alot of work, but it is worth it in the long run.