Buzz
For middle schoolers, keeping track of handouts and assignments can be a real challenge. Use these guidelines to categorize them by class, ensuring you won't struggle with disorganized papers anymore. If you manage to consolidate all your materials into one or two binders, you'll reduce the risk of forgetting essential notes.
Steps
Binder Organization
Group papers by class. If your binder or notebooks are a jumble of notes from various subjects, take the first step by separating them into distinct stacks. Arrange these stacks in order of your class schedule.
Review each pile and discard outdated documents. Eliminate graded assignments and old instructions, storing them separately at home for future reference during study sessions. Set aside previous year's coursework, returned projects, and non-academic materials. Keep those you find valuable for studying or for personal enjoyment, and dispose of the rest.
- Store the 'at home' binder or folders in a visible location to prevent them from getting lost in clutter, such as on a bookshelf in your room.
Assess if the remaining papers can be accommodated in a single binder. Opting for a single binder for all subjects aids organization as you no longer need to manage multiple notebooks. If you have a substantial stack of papers, consider splitting them into two binders using one of these strategies:
- Allocate one binder for classes before lunch and another for classes after lunch. If you have a school locker, carry only one binder at a time, but ensure you retrieve both before leaving for the day.
- For schools with alternating day schedules (e.g., Monday-Wednesday-Friday and Tuesday-Thursday classes), divide your papers into two binders to carry just one each school day. Remember to pack the correct binder in your backpack the night before.
Place a colored divider in your binder for each subject. Colored dividers, typically with tabs for labeling, are inserted in the order of your class schedule. For instance, if math precedes English, place a blue divider labeled 'Math' at the front, followed by a red one labeled 'English.'
Include a three-hole folder in each section.
Two-pocket folders are convenient for quick insertion and removal of papers without needing to open and close binder rings. Reserve this for imminent handouts or homework due within a day or two, as they won't remain in the binder for long.
Utilize plastic sleeves to safeguard important documents. Most classes provide syllabi, assignment lists, or other essential papers required throughout the semester. Locate a plastic sleeve with three holes for each class and position it in the binder after the corresponding folder. Store each critical document in a separate sleeve to prevent tearing.
Evaluate your remaining papers to determine if white dividers are necessary. Before inserting the remaining papers into your binder, organize them by class from oldest to newest. If you have more than fifteen papers, consider using white dividers to categorize them. These dividers, resembling the colored plastic ones you already have, visually separate papers within a class. Here are some examples of how to categorize papers within a class:
- For any class, utilize three white dividers labeled 'Handouts,' 'Homework,' and 'Notes.'
- If your teacher provides topic-specific tests, organize materials accordingly to facilitate studying. For example, label dividers in your English class as 'Reading Assignments' and 'Vocabulary.'
Insert the remaining papers into your binder. Once you've determined the sorting method, place each paper behind the colored divider for its class, and behind the white divider for its category if applicable. Ensure papers within each section are arranged chronologically for easy retrieval.
Include lined paper for note-taking. Insert ten to twenty sheets of lined paper for each class. Although you'll likely require more throughout the semester, starting with fewer sheets streamlines note retrieval and reduces daily carrying weight.
- If necessary, add graph paper for math or science classes as per your teacher's instructions.
Maintaining Organization
Establish a nightly binder organization routine. Dedicate time daily to organize your backpack, papers, and supplies. Transfer graded work and old handouts to a designated folder at home for future studying. Double-check that all homework assignments are correctly filed in your binder.
- Consider organizing your binder immediately after returning home to maintain a consistent routine and avoid procrastination.
Incorporate a planner into your routine. Utilize a daily planner or portable calendar to manage assignments, quizzes, tests, and project deadlines efficiently. Some prefer jotting down assignments on the due date, while others opt for a system consolidating all current tasks in one place:
- Upon receiving an assignment, record it in your planner under the current date, noting the due date alongside.
- Each evening, review the previous day's entries, marking completed tasks and transferring unfinished ones to the current date.
- Consider digital alternatives like Google Calendar if paper planners aren't your preference.
Designate a specific area for supplies left at home. Prevent notebooks, binders, and papers from getting lost in household clutter by allocating a dedicated space on a bookshelf or in a drawer. Consistently storing items in the same location helps maintain organization. Keep papers left at home separate from those in your binder by using a designated folder for each class.
Coordinate the color of your supplies with your binder. If additional notebooks are necessary, simplify identification by color-coding them to match your binder sections. For example, if your math materials are stored after a blue divider, use a blue notebook and supply case for your math class.
Necessary Supplies
- One or two three-ring binders
- Colored plastic divider for each class (assorted colors)
- Two-pocket three-hole folder for each class
- Plastic sleeves (one per syllabus or important document)
- Optional: White paper dividers for organizing papers within the same class
- Notebook
Helpful Suggestions
- Ensure you always have extra paper in your binder.
- If your papers frequently tear or you keep loose papers in your binder, consider switching to a zipper binder for full paper protection.
- Opt for rainbow pens as they enhance note-taking enjoyment and make studying easier and more effective.
