Classroom Organization: Binders

I had someone e-mail me about my binders and ask how I had them organized.  Since the picture of my binders has been pinned thousands of times I figured others might want to know how I organize them.

Most of my binders are on this shelf:

I've started making common core binders (although Indiana has decided to put off full implementation....)

I made binders for each of the domains and inside there is a tab for each standard. I typed up the standard and printed it on a label to go on each divider.  I wanted a quick reminder of the standard at my finger tips. 

My 5th grade math binders are still grouped by Indiana standards. 

This is the inside of the graphing/data analysis binder. This is a binder I will probably keep intact and just change the cover.  Some topics just have too many resources to fit into the CC domain binder and they deserve a binder for themselves (fractions will also have a binder of its own).

My social studies binders all have the topics they cover on the cover page.  As I've gotten more materials, I've had to re-organize the binders and make new covers. In the long run it was worth it.

Inside there are tabs for each standard and then each of these standards are broken down into topics.  

I ended up putting all the historical time period things into binders that are in chronological order and all the other standards are in a binder by themselves.

 My science binders are a little different as we use FOSS Science kits.  I have things organized by standard and by FOSS activities.  Sometimes the kit does not cover a standard and the district has put together activities to do in addition to the kits.

After completing an activity in class, I like the students to read more about the topic so I have worksheets in my binders organized by topic.

 I hope that this helps you to get a little more organized for your next school year. 

I've thought about making binder covers and spine labels to sell at TpT and TN. If there is a set you are looking for, send me an e-mail or leave a comment.  If you have a certain theme going in your room, let me know that too.  

I've spend the last several months building up the digital products in my store, but plan on making lots of educational and organization materials this summer.  Put your requests in now and be on the top of the list.

Indiana Bloggers - Blog Hop

Thanks go to Kady Did Doodles for sending you here!

I hope everyone is having a great conclusion to the end of the year. Having just opened my shop in December, I haven't gotten into any themed or seasonal items, so I decided to give everyone a sampling of my digital products.  I have included a race themed background page, cover page and task card template. Click on the picture to download the zipped file from Google Docs.

Click on picture to download freebie from google docs

I hope that you find my digital items useful and will check out my TpT and TN stores.

Next stop on the blog hop is

Probability

I alway like to start out my probability unit out with some hands on activities.  

One of the first things we do is flip a coin. We talk about theoretical probability and how it should be 50% heads and 50% tails.  They then toss the coin 10 times and record the outcomes.  Most of time they get something other than 50/50.  I then have them flip the coin 40 more times and add that to their original numbers.  This should bring them closer to the 50/50 outcome.  We then add the outcomes of all the students in the class and we are usually pretty close to matching the theoretical probability of 50/50. I make them calculate the experimental probability as a fraction, decimal and percent (great practice of this skill!) 

Next, we toss a die.  We go through the same process as the coin, but I usually have them toss the die in multiples of six.

We then move on to pulling counters from a tub.  We again use the same process. They all have different amounts of tiles, so they all had to calculate their theoretical probability as well as their experimental probability after they pulled the tiles.

Fun 4 All Link Party

Do not forget the Fun 4 All linky party at All Things Upper Elementary today.  You can find all kinds of wonderful products for your classroom or upload your own products to the linky.  Either way click on the image to go to the linky party.

Planet Projects, Part 2

I apologize for taking so long to get back with this post (you can find part 1 HERE). The projects turned out really good! They had to present their projects as a group.  I purposely placed three very quiet students together to force them out of their shell and they did wonderful!!

Store Wide Sale

It's Teacher Appreciation Day on May 7th and TpT would like to help you celebrate by throwing a sale.  My WHOLE store will be 20% off from May 7 through May 8. If you use the cade TAD13  at check out you will get a 28% discount!

Click on picture to go to my store!

No matter what grade you teach, be it 2nd grade or high school, graphing is a part of your curriculum. These bright, easy to read graphing posters are a wonderful tool to reinforce what each graph looks like and what type of data they represent. As an added bonus, there are 3 interactive graphic organizers included in the set.

Do you teach about the Renaissance? Check out these Renaissance posters that would compliment any social studies or art lesson.

Are you looking for some digital creations for your own products?  Check out some of my newest creations.

I have a new line of digital background papers.  It is called the Color Series. So far there are 14 color sets listed. If you are looking for a certain color that is not listed, let me know and I will get it up ASAP!

I've also recently added some new frame sets. My favorite are the scalloped sets.

My friends at All Things Upper Elementary are also offering 20% off all items in their stores and with the TAD13 code you will get 28% off.  Click on the picture to see what they have to offer.

K - 12 Math Linky

Are you looking for some awesome math materials?

Maybe you want to promote your own math products?

Check out Miss Math Dork's Math Link up!

Click on the picture to link up.