My Favorite Organizational Tip for the Classroom

One really effective organizational "trick" for the classroom can make a big impact.  For teachers, every minute saved where classroom management and clerical tasks are concerned is golden.  This system can be implemented for any subject area and at most grade levels.

I have used this particular student filing system for many years with great success.  I don't know where the idea originated, but it has been passed along from teacher to teacher in my building for a while now.

You will need hanging files and some sort of crate to accommodate them as shown in the photo below.  Each student in your class will have a file folder labeled with his or her name.  I use files of different colors for each class period and alphabetize student names within each group.  (Here's what I use for the name tabs.)  Some teachers use files that are all the same color with differently colored tabs.  

The No Work -  No Credit posters can be found here.

Students use the files to turn in assignments, collect graded papers, and pick up makeup work when they are absent.  Place these near the door and teach your students to check their file as they enter the classroom.  They always turn in work "hotdogged" (sticking up out of the file).  This is work I need to either grade or record.  Sometimes students do this as they enter the room.  Other times, we check answers together and then they file the papers.  Returned papers are "hamburgered" (turned sideways so they cannot be seen).  This is work for which I have already recorded scores.  

I "hotdog" makeup work for students to pick up which saves me time getting class started.  I use this editable makeup work form (FREE) and attach handouts to it as necessary.  Students "hotdog" makeup work as it is completed. 

Here is a makeup form "hotdogged".

Makeup Work Form with Daisies or Apple

Benefits for the teacher:
1.   Class time is not lost returning and collecting papers.  Although I thought it would take a long time for a whole class to file assignments, that hasn't been the case.   Some students are always quicker about completing tasks, others are slower, but it works out.  I do have ideas for preventing a potential backup at the files:  

• Girls file first, then boys or vice versa.

• Table/row 1 files first followed by table/row 2, etc.

• Students whose last names begin with A-G files first, then H-N, followed by O-Z.

• Have a task for students to do next (pick up a handout, put returned papers in notebook/folder, do bellwork problems, etc.) so no one is waiting with nothing to do.

• Turn to a certain page in their textbook or notebook.

2.   It is quick and easy to see if a student has not turned in their work by simply checking the files.

3.   When papers are pulled to be graded, they are already in alphabetical order.  (I was skeptical about this saving me time.  However, it does!)  Entering scores is much faster whether recording them electronically or on paper.

4.   "Hamburgering" the graded work goes very quickly and does not have to be done during class time.  No class time is lost by handing out graded papers.

I hope you find this idea useful in your own classroom!  Let me know by commenting if you have any questions.