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Binder Set Up: The things you should have in your binder every day.
Goal: To be prepared for class. To be responsible for my own learning, and to be productive with my time.
I have found the one binder method the most effective for students with executive functioning difficulties. It keeps all supplies in one place as they travel between classes and prevents the "I forgot it in my locker" or my personal favorite "I think it's in Mrs. Deckinga's room."
In your binder should be -
* Pencil case with 2 pencils, a pen, and at least 1 highlighter I suggest a cloth pencil case instead of plastic for durability. It is also helpful if it has metal grommets for the holes.
* Agenda The school will sell these each year at Cougar Camp, open house, and in the office. It is helpful for consistency to use the ones printed by the PTA and sold at these times. If you are unable to purchase one of these agendas please let me know so that I can get one.
* Sheet Protectors
Sheet protectors are used for any papers that they need to keep for the whole year. Formula charts, syllabus, etc.
* No less than 10 sheets of blank notebook paper This is not a spiral of paper, but regular loose leaf notebook paper. Please use wide ruled.
* Tabs for each class The classes at RBMS are: Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, APS Math, APS Language Arts. Some electives will need a tab as well. It is my preference for students with difficulty in organization to use the plastic dividers that have a pocket built into them. There is a strategy I teach them to manage the amount of papers given each day.
* Homework folder – Labeled on the front with “Homework”, Left pocket “To Do”, Right Pocket "To Turn In" This is very important. This is how we keep track of the movement of papers. I suggest a plastic folder with two pockets so that it lasts the school year. Bright colors are best so that it's easy to find.
**** If you need help please ask your classroom teacher or Mrs. Deckinga
On the topic of supplies. I have a small stash of left over supplies in my room. The students are welcome to use them, but they have to tell me what they need. I've been working on my mind reading, but it's only as good as the body language gets me. I also post needed supplies beside my door. Feel free to ask your student to pick up one of those papers and help with supplies. Typically it's markers and tissues. These seem to be the most used items in the room. The items in this binder get used a lot through out the day. Binders break and need replacing, paper gets used, pencils short, things like that. You may have to go to the store and purchase replacement items occasionally.
Binder Organization Progression of Skill
Progression of skill:
*Parents / teachers have to clean and organize the students binder for them. "Sage on the Stage"
* Parents / teachers involve the student in cleaning out the binder by having the student make choices about what to keep or toss. The student may need guidance as to what is kept or thrown out. Parents / teachers should talk them through the thought process. "Sage on the Stage"
* Student cleans and organizes binder with parent / teacher monitoring process. "Guide on the Side"
* Student takes ownership of cleaning and organizing the binder but may need occasional reminders to do it. "Guide on the Side"
* Student takes complete ownership of cleaning and organizing binder. "Fan in the Stands"
*Parents / teachers have to clean and organize the students binder for them. "Sage on the Stage"
* Parents / teachers involve the student in cleaning out the binder by having the student make choices about what to keep or toss. The student may need guidance as to what is kept or thrown out. Parents / teachers should talk them through the thought process. "Sage on the Stage"
* Student cleans and organizes binder with parent / teacher monitoring process. "Guide on the Side"
* Student takes ownership of cleaning and organizing the binder but may need occasional reminders to do it. "Guide on the Side"
* Student takes complete ownership of cleaning and organizing binder. "Fan in the Stands"
Tips for an Organized Binder
· Start each day with a clean slate. If your binder is falling apart before you go to your first class, take a moment to get organized before school.
· Ask for help if you’re not sure how to organize your binder. · When you are in class make sure you put all papers under the tab that matches that class. · If you do not have time to put your papers in the tab you can place them in the pocket of the tab that belongs to that class – not the front pocket, not the back pocket, and not the pocket of another class. |
· At the end of the day make sure you take time to file any papers that are in pockets.
· Your pencil case always goes in the front of your binder and never leaves the rings. · Use page protectors for papers you will need all year long. · At the end of a unit file your papers at home in a safe place. Do not throw them away until the end of the year. Keep all Math notes because you will need them next year. · Label everything. Write the subject on it. Write your name on it. Give it a heading. |