Organizing Journals **Update**

Remember my post a few days ago on organizing journals and notebooks?  If you need to refresh your memory, click on the picture below.


I had some requests for the table of contents headers in addition to the tabs.  So, I got my act together and bundled the two together in an editable PowerPoint file.  Even though the included text is for organizing a math journal, you can change the text to fit ANY subject.



This file can be found in my TpT and TN stores.  However, I will be giving away a free copy to 2 lucky winners.  Just leave a comment below and I will have a random drawing this weekend.  Be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you’re a winner.


If you liked the label I used on the cover of my journal, click the picture above to get a FREE copy.  Whether you call them journals or notebooks, there’s a label for you.

I hope you’re enjoying the 1st day of August!

5 comments journaling, notebooks, organization

Organizing Journals with Tabs

I’m linking up with Ladybug’s Teacher Files and Fun in Room 4B for their Optimum Organization linky.  It’s pretty ironic that I would have an organization tip because I really try to be organized but it doesn’t come easily to me. 

For years I’ve used interactive math journals in my classroom.  I’m hooked and I’m sure I’ll use them forever more.  My students are encouraged to use their journals as a reference.  I mean, that’s why we put all the effort into them, right?? But the kids sometimes have trouble finding what they need when they need it.  We put so much into our journals that the table of contents gets overwhelming even for me!  The picture below shows just part of last year’s table of contents.  See what I mean?


For this next school year, I’m going to try something a little different.  I decided I would divide my math journal into sections with a separate table of contents for each section.  I’ve done something similar with our writing journals in the past.  Here’s the prototype I’ve been working on.


The table of contents is less overwhelming.  Kids shouldn’t have a problem skimming and finding what they need.


One problem I think I’m going to run into is that many kids aren’t going to know which section to look in.  I added details to the section headers to help out.  Underneath “Measurement” I included all the topics we cover.  I also plan to reinforce which category each skill falls into as I teach the skill.


So far I’m happy with my prototype and I’m looking forward to trying this out.  Have any of you ever sectioned off a math journal?  How did it work out?

For those of you who are interested in using tabs, I’m offering a FLASH FREEBIE for this set from my TpT store.  This is a zip file that includes an editable pdf file and a Word doc.  Hurry over before time runs out.

Have a great weekend!

2 comments journaling, math, notebooks, organization

Teacher Appreciation at TN

Whew!  Our state testing is over and I can breathe a huge sigh of relief!  For those who haven’t tested yet, HANG IN THERE!  It’s almost over!

I’m checking in today to make sure you know about the huge sale at Teacher’s Notebook.  This is a great time to stock up on all those lovely items on your wish list. 



To make things even better, Teachers Notebook is also hosting an AMAZING giveaway.  Be sure to enter for your chance to win a $100 gift card to Oriental Trading.



If you teach volume to kids who are not ready for formulas, check out my volume bundle.



This bundle includes:

• foldables for note taking
• PowerPoint for teaching and practicing how to find volume
• matching game in both color and black and white
• 2 volume worksheets

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!  I hope it’s a great one!

Leave a Comment foldables, Giveaways, journaling, measurement, TN

Creating Flaps for Interactive Journals

Hey, everyone!  I’m guest blogging today over at Learning 4 Keeps while Leah is on vacation.  Hop on over to see some of the ways I use flap templates in my interactive journals and student created books.  I’ve included a freebie template that will help you get started if you’re new to the wonderful world of foldables.  Happy blog hopping!

1 comment foldables, freebies, Guest Post, journaling, notebooks, notetaking

It's Freebie Friday!

Today is Freebie Friday at Teaching Blog Addict.  What a great way to finish off the week!  Free is always good in my book.  I'm joining the party with two fraction sorts you can add to your math notebooks next year.  If your students don't keep math notebooks, you can always have them glue the sort onto construction paper for a quick assessment. 



   

Each fraction is represented as a set, part of a whole, and on a number line.  I hope you can find a use for these in your classroom. Click on any of the pictures above to get your copy.  Don't forget to drop by Teaching Blog Addict to find more great FREE resources! 

Happy blog hopping!

I would like to thank Amy from Adventures in Teaching for nominating me for the One Lovely Blog Award.  Amy is a new blogger with lots of teaching experience.  Drop by and check out her blog sometime.  I'm still on the lookout for more blogs to nominate.  You can check my list of deserving blogs here.

1 comment fractions, freebies, journaling, math, notebooks, notetaking

Foldables!

 The last 3 years I've been going crazy for foldables! Dinah Zike is the queen of foldables. If you have not been to Dinah Zike's website, you definitely need to check it out.  She has lots of ideas and wonderful instructions on how to get started.

Notebook Foldables (above) was the first of Dinah's books that I purchased and I've gotten a lot of great ideas from it.  Now I have almost the whole collection and I still can't get enough!  Dinah has written books for every subject.  If you're into math then you need this one:

I LOVE this one for anything related to Language Arts:

There are so many ideas in Dinah's books that my head spins!

Leave a Comment favorites, foldables, journaling, notebooks, notetaking

Math Journals

I have used math journals in my classroom for 3 years now and I ab-so-lute-ly love them!  I started off slow and I've gradually added a journal for virtually every subject I teach.  Since I teach in a self-contained class, that's a bunch of journals!

I've been going through my old journals this summer and looking for ways to improve them.   I always make one with the kids each year.  This is a sample of what I did with money in my journal. 

The kids quickly learn the folds and cuts but I like to start off with premade flaps in the beginning.  I recently updated my flaps.

The flaps definitely look better in color.

I even created a flap book to use as an assessment of what the kids have learned. 

It's a FREEBIE! If you would like to give journals a try, you can get these flaps at my Teacher's Pay Teachers store.

3 comments foldables, freebies, journaling, math, notebooks, notetaking