In this post, I outline six essential forms and templates in my teacher binder that I rely on to maintain my sanity throughout the school year.
The key to a successful and stress-free school year is organization. An organized teacher is more efficient, effective, and less stressed throughout the year.
This past school year, I learned the importance of keeping a well-laid-out teacher binder when I discovered I was expecting baby number two while baby number one was only four months old.
With large classes of college students to manage, I had to find a way to keep track of my student data and records while simultaneously dealing with late nights, early mornings, and morning sickness.
In this blog post, I discuss some of the essential forms and printables you can use to transform your teacher binder into a powerhouse of organization.
Key Forms and Templates for Your Teacher Binder to Maintain an Organized Classroom
1. Lesson Plan Templates:
I consistently rely on lesson plans, tailoring them to meet the needs of each session. Sometimes, my lesson plans are quite detailed, while at other times, they're kept simple.
My students never fail to notice when I'm following a structured plan versus when I'm not.
Using various templates depending on the topic I'm covering has been a game-changer. It allowed me to personalize my lessons effectively, ensuring they align seamlessly with the material I'm teaching.
2. Grade Book Sheets and Slips:
I make sure to have a dedicated grade sheet for each assignment, allowing me to enter grades promptly.
To keep things organized, I print these on colored paper, with each assignment assigned a specific color code. I then attach them to my stack of papers, providing a visual indicator of what has been assessed and what is still pending, especially if I can't complete the grading in one sitting (which I rarely do).
After tackling my pile, I transfer the finalized grades to my master grade sheet for the semester.
This method enables me to consistently monitor and track the progress of each student throughout the academic term.
3. Assignment Submission Tracker:
You know how it is – when you’re finally through grading a bunch of papers, you realize there are three students left without grades for some assignment.
To dodge any "lost paper" drama, I’ve implemented a system.
I have students sign my assignment submission forms when they turn in their work, for accountability.
After the grading chaos, I can quickly double-check my grade sheet to make sure everything's good to go.
4. Assignment Trackers:
At the start of the semester, I usually plan out most of the assignments I'll be handing out. It's not mandatory, but I often do it when I'm getting my course syllabus ready or giving it a little update.
After I've got all these assignments figured out, I pop them into my calendar, noting down when I'm handing them out and when I expect them back.
Here's a little tip – I give my students a blank copy of the assignment tracker and suggest they jot down the due date and when I handed it out. It's like a little hack to help them keep things organized.
5. Attendance and Participation:
A portion of my chemistry coursework grade – specifically, 2% – is determined by students' participation and contribution to classroom activities.
However, assessing participation can be a bit tricky, so I've got this handy rubric in place.
After each lesson, I allocate a certain number of stars to students, following a five-star scale outlined in the rubric (every student has a copy of it).
These participation stars seamlessly integrate into my daily attendance sign-in sheet.
6. Classroom Newsletters and Calendars:
You know how it goes with students and their memory! Especially when it comes to class activities, assignments etc.
To keep everyone on the same page, I send out class newsletters and monthly calendars. I send them through email and also post them on the Learning Management System (like Google Classroom or Canvas) as PNG images.
It's my way of giving a heads-up about what's on the agenda for the month – such as activities, assignments, and quizzes.
These newsletters and calendars are not just about reminders. I use them to highlight our learning goals for the month too.
It turns out, that students like getting these updates. It helps them plan their study sessions and manage their workload.
Get the Editable Printable & Digital Templates for Your Teacher Binder
Those are just a couple of the tools in my organizational kit. I've got more, but these are the real go-to.
If you're interested in using these customizable forms and templates for your class, you can find the collection in my TPT store.
Make sure to follow my store, as the collection will be updated soon.
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