With all the papers and ideas we have in the classroom, finding a place to store them all can be overwhelming! The key to organizing files is to find a system that works for you and stick to it. Train your parent volunteers, student teachers, and classroom helpers how to manage it, and you’ll never lose papers again.

A good system that seems to work for me is to start with a stack of plain file folders and plain white 1″x3″ mailing labels. Then, I grab my reading series teacher editions and begin making a label on the computer template for each story in the series. When that is complete, print the labels and affix to the file folders. Drop the labeled folders into your hanging files in chronological order in your filing cabinet.

The next step is to start placing any lessons or resources you have that go along with each story into the folders. Trade books, enrichment lessons, spelling, and/or vocabulary cards are also placed in the corresponding files. If you have a resource that could be placed in more than one spot (for example, trade books about nouns or figurative language), make copies of the cover or lessons to place in those multiple locations.

After completing all reading materials files, begin to create folders for each chapter in math, science, social studies, handwriting, writing, etc. In this way, each year as you plan your week, you can pull the file and review quickly what additional resource or enrichment materials you have on hand and in your hand. » Read more: Classroom File Organization

Using technology in the classroom used to entail putting a filmstrip on or using the overhead projector to enhance the daily lesson. Today, there are a wide variety of ways to involve students and increase retention. Not only do students love the interaction, but teachers and parents are also intrigued by how much more there is to a typical classroom today than there was even ten years ago.

In place of the overhead projector, a document camera can magnify books or papers for all the students to see. This neat device is basically a mounted camera, which is run through a computer, that will project the chosen assignment on a front board. Student work can be used on the spur of the moment. Expensive and one-use transparencies are a thing of the past, as nothing is prohibited from using under the doc cam. Even the typical read-aloud book can be shown under the camera so that all students can see clearly.

Another piece of equipment that is becoming more mainstream is the interactive whiteboard. This “magic board” hooks to a computer and a projection machine. The entire board projects your computer screen, and is completely touch interactive. Lessons can be made using various moveable objects, sound, and effects. You can even play a “jeopardy-style” game in your class complete with the music and buzzing!

Amplification systems can be a tremendous positive experience for all those involved in the classroom. A portable lapel microphone clips on a shirt, while the speaker is wall or ceiling mounted. Something so small really makes a difference in the enclosed area. Research backs the notion that hard of hearing, as well as attention-deficit children can make larger learner gains when they can hear clearly and without the background noises found in a typical student-filled classroom setting. » Read more: Using Technology In Your Classroom