Reminders about Binders

1. Reminders about Binders September 4, 2013

2. Objective By the end of today’s session, you will be able to identify the components of the AVID binder system by creating a sample AVID binder with your teams and/or departments.

3. Highlands is an AVID school! In successful AVID schools, ALL students use a one-binder organizational system. The students will be carrying ONLY their binder, Springboard book, and Independent Reading Book to their classes.

4. What’s in the Binder? The binder contains: • A planner • One section per class • Including classes that meet on “M” or “S” days • A pencil pouch with some supplies—3 pens, 3 pencils, post-its, index cards, and 1 highlighter The binder does NOT contain: • Notebooks • Folders • Smaller binders • If you require these items, they must be stored in your classroom.

5. Every class gets one section! Every class gets one section—even classes that meet on “M” or “S” days. • On Tuesday 9/10, the students will be given time to set up their binders in school. • They will create sections in the order of their day. • Example: If a student has Math first period, his first section will be his Math section.

6. How can you make one section work for you? • Every teacher is responsible for managing his/her own section. • Feel free to create subsections in your section if you previously required a binder with sections. • You can create subsections for homework, classwork, vocabulary, etc. • Teacher Tip: If students do not have enough dividers, they can use construction paper with post-it tabs to create their own dividers • Any folders, notebooks, or small binders that you require must be maintained in your classroom.

7. How can we all contribute to the success of implementing the binders school wide? • PLEASE remind students to put all of their papers in the back of their section prior to the end of the period. • Each section of the binder should be organized from oldest to newest. • PLEASE remind students to clean out your section at the end of each unit or quarter. • Some teachers have had success managing this by asking the students to keep a folder or small binder in their classroom for students to file older paperwork.

8. How can we all contribute to the success of implementing the binders school wide? (continued) • Encourage students to use a paper clip or binder clip to keep old pages of their planner together • This will also make it easier for students to turn to the appropriate page in their planners. • Discourage students from sticking papers in the front pocket of their binder • Some students may find it helpful to create a separate homework section—that is okay!! • The students should not stuff every supply into their supply pouch. • The students do not need to carry around an entire packet of loose leaf in each section. • Some students may find it helpful to put 10-20 sheets of loose leaf in the front of their binder to use as needed.

9. How can we all contribute to the success of implementing the binders school wide? (continued) • Each team will go back to their TEAM LEADER’S classroom • Teams can choose to meet as a 7th and 8th grade group (Example: 7A and 8A meet together). • If you are not on a team, you will meet with your department. • Each team/group will set up a sample binder • The sample binder should contain at least 9 sections, a planner, some loose leaf, and a supply pouch. • You will use these samples as models when you are helping the students set up their binders on Tuesday 9/10. • Finally, each team/group will establish a set of norms for the binders that they will share with their students next week.