The end of the year is near and I’m not going to lie, I’m already thinking about next year. Slowly I’ve been reorganizing and regrouping my resources from my different classrooms. I’m really trying to organize my units. Here are some ideas I’m pondering.
File Cabinet o’ Files
I have a file for each unit and I color coded the classes by level. When the curriculum (themes and topics) changes, I can just move the papers to the correct file.
Unit Binders
I put a label on each binder with my lesson plans and activities. I put sheet protectors inside to hold resources, pictures, games and all those little activities.
Crate o’ Files
Since I’m on a cart, I found that this worked when I had 1 prep in 1 classroom. I put all the lesson plans, activities, props and resources for one unit in a crate. The only negative is that I had to go to it at the end of the day to prepare for the next day.
If any of you out there are developing your curriculum, I want to beg you to think about the cart teachers. If possible align your curriculum so level 1 and 2 have similar units. For example: if level 1 is learning about restaurants, level 2 can learn about food too, just in more detail. If level one is doing family, level 2 can do celebrations.
So help us out! How do you organize your unit plans, resources and activities??
I do the binders too. I have one for each thematic unit/marking period per level. Since I teach Spanish I & III, that equals 8 big binders. I also organize my computer files in the same way. A folder for each level, then a folder for each unit in the main folder. I don’t like the file cabinet, just because it’s hard to see everything quickly. I only use that for stuff that I don’t have to look at often. I’d love to hear some other ideas!
I agree. The binders are easier to grab and go too. I’m also finding that I can use colored paper to separate mini lessons and put it in the binder chronologically. Thanks!
I’ve been thinking about next year for awhile now. I’m considering plastic/poly color envelopes…the kind with the little winding string. I’ve also been trying to keep as much as possible on the computer. The best thing I’ve ever done for myself…about 10 years ago…I keep file folders by the unit/week and I put EVERYTHING in the folder…so I don’t have to go to different resources…ex. if I have books of verb activities, I put the exact activity in the right folder so I don’t have to remember that I have those books…I keep a copy or even rip out what I need from the book and keep it in the folder. I write notes on the folder itself to remind me if I have power points or games or other things in other places so I don’t forget things. I’ll keep coming back to this post to see other organizing ideas…organization make all the difference.
Ohh! I love writing ON the folder!
I do, too. I also write on the folder any little notes to myself about timing or what didn’t work or little tweeks to remember the following year. I love when I read them the next year and am happy that I reminded myself about those things. 🙂
This is just something that I have done. When I organize my folders for each unit, I create folders based off of topics (e.g.–clothes, foods, days/months, etc.). This way, the topic is pretty accessible if it comes up again during another topic (An example is when students had to decide which type of clothing to wear according to the weather. I needed weather signs that day so I was able to find them rather quickly.) Also, for each individual folder/topic, I organize the contents within the folder in the following order: Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational. This has been helpful as I assess students and if they are “getting it.” If I see that they can benefit from one more interpretive activity before trying something that is interpersonal, I can retrieve the item rather quickly. Just a thought…
That’s a great idea! I was just scrambling for a handout with numbers on it yesterday and couldn’t find it anywhere! Sub-folders are exactly what I need!
Like the subfolders!
As the years have passed, my activities and lessons have become more digital. Searching on my external hard drive seems easier than leafing through a binder. However, the custodian at school saves me a few copy boxes every month. I label them thematically. School, Daily Life, Health, etc. I even have a few mini units that have their own box and props go in a box too. In each copy box, I have laminated vocabulary pictures, props, and a giant file folder of the best (hard copy, non digital) activities I own. I have a mini wall of of copy boxes, where I can see the labels and grab the box I need. It’s become much easier to organize props and materials and it doesn’t require buying hundreds of plastic storage containers! When I start a new unit, I grab a few boxes for inspiration, consult my old lesson plans and search my external hard drive.
I use OneNote to organize my units week by week.
I’ve used this before and just realized they have an app too. I’m going to see if that helps me stay organized. Thanks for the comment!
I keep EVERYTHING on the external hard drive – even iPhoto’s of important pages from foreign language learning books- so if I find a particularly useful page or paragraph or activity, I just taken an iPhoto and send it to my school email, copy and save to whichever unit it corresponds with!
I love the idea of the boxes though- for dramas and skits – or food labels, etc
I would love to know how file organization has changed in the past 5 years. I have a mountain of papers, boxes and binders at home (a p/t floating Span 1-3 teacher who recently returned after a 17 year hiatus). I want to use One Note but am overwhelmed with papers, 2 Google Drives, Dropbox, etc. Advice on going paperless for a visual learner who forgets what is filed out of sight?
I wrote this back in 2012 and wow… a lot has changed since then! I was on a cart for 2 years and that prompted me to ditch the filing cabinet. Now I have an iPad that keeps everything organized (I use Keynote which is like PowerPoint). I created folders on there like my binders. Plus I have folders for my generic “adaptable activities” by modes/skills – listening activities, reading activities, speaking, etc… We are creating the new page that reflects that organization. On the top right, click the “Teacher Toolbox” and then click “Adaptable Activities.” I still used crates for organizing the manipulative and realia. I also started organizing a lot of my lessons with the authentic resources and activities on a website for students to go to. That partly inspired us to create http://www.AdiosTextbook.com where we sell memberships to our lessons. Organization helps to make teaching life easier!