How I Stay Organized as a Teacher: The Sea of Paper

“Where did I put that?”
“Did 4th block had those in?”
“Have these grades been entered yet?”
“Did I run those copies or not?”

If you can relate to any of these questions, you’ve been like me. Over the years I’ve developed systems that work for me to keep my papers organized as a teacher. Prior to this system, it was anyone’s guess where something was, if it had been graded, or where in the world my copies for this class had run off to! Keep reading to learn how I stay organized as a teacher and avoid drowning in a sea of papers.

The Daily Copies Box

This hanging file folder box has a file for each day of the week and one for retakes. When I make copies, I put them in the folder for the day I’ll need them. Simple as that! No more wondering where the copies for 4th block went! Can’t remember if you ran copies of that vocab list for Thursday? Look in Thursday’s folder. Yep, there they are. Check it off the to-do list!

Is Mary sick again and missed the quiz? No more wondering where you set down that extra copy for her. Write her name on it, put it in the retake folder. When she comes back, you know exactly where her quiz is!

Seems simple and it is! It’s also powerful.

If You Were Gone Folders

This could be part of the hanging file folder system but then I have to remember to give the paper to the student. Let’s face it, between the 1,639 tabs open in my head and the latest teen drama I’m trying to keep out of my classroom, I always forgot. Cue these beauties!

Right after I had out papers, I write the name of the missing student on their copy and put it in the folder for their class. I’ve trained students to check the folders when they get back so it’s not longer my responsibility. If a student forgets (or “forgets”) to check the folder, I can more readily see the paper and give it to them.

Turn in Folder System

This isn’t sexy, or Instagram or Pinterest worthy. It’s simple, works, and keeps me organized.
Here’s the system:
Papers on top of the folders: Students have just turned in
Papers in the folders: Need to be graded
Papers below the folders: Graded and ready to be returned

That’s it. Simple and effective.

Now that your papers are organized, let’s tackle your inbox. Get my free guide to an email inbox that doesn’t look like sh*t.

or go check out some other great ideas:

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Use Flipgrid in your class
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