Avoiding the Paper Trap

What’s Here

Organizing the mounds of paper we encounter everyday is not as difficult as it seems. In fact, this page (which is excerpted from Chapter 4 of The Cornerstone book) will show you you can set up a system in a very short amount of time that will provide a place for every single piece of paper! You’ve heard the old adage: A place for everything, and everything in it’s place. It really is that simple!

7 Simple Steps to Organizing Your Papers

It doesn’t matter what type of containers you use, as long as you have a designated spot for each type of paper. You can use baskets, crates, magazine file boxes, metal organizers, plastic trays, or any combination of resources that are on hand.  I’ll show you photos here of a variety of organizers that have worked for me over the years. I’ve changed systems many times.  But the idea is always the same: there is ONE place for EVERY paper.

You MUST choose containers that make it easy to put papers where they belong. If it’s too much trouble to put them away, you won’t do it. I hear a lot of overwhelmed teachers say they don’t know where to start when it comes to tackling the massive amounts of paper in the classroom.  So I divided the organizational process into steps which I’ve listed in order of priority.  If you do one or two steps a week, you’ll be completely and permanently organized in about a month’s time.  You can do it!  These are easily sustainable systems that can be taken to any grade level and any school you teach in for the rest of your career.

Gather all the containers and organizers you have, and then choose among them for each category of papers, one step at a time.  If you don’t have anything suitable, list the types of containers you’d like to buy, and then make an investment in your own sanity by heading out to a discount store to purchase them.  You’ll be glad you did once everything’s in place.

Step 1)  Temporary Places for Incoming Papers
Step 2)  Binder for Lessons, Grades, and Reference
Step 3)  Frequently-Referenced Forms and Papers
Step 4)  Student Papers
Step 5)  Activities and Worksheets You’re Using Now
Step 6)  Teaching Resources for All Skills Taught
Step 7)  General Files

STEP 1)  Temporary Places for Incoming Papers

Incoming Papers From Students (Not Class Work/Homework)

To Take to the Office or Other School Locations

To Read/Do/Keep/File                                                        Ongoing Projects

STEP 2)  Binder for Lessons, Grades, and Reference

STEP 3)  Frequently-Referenced Forms and Papers

Emergency Cards and Other Small Pieces of Paper         Papers You Need to Look at Daily

Blank Forms/Papers For Easy Reference                    Notes and Handouts from MeetingsExtra Copies of Papers That Were Passed Out to Students (For In-Class and to Go Home)

Sets of Blank Papers

STEP 4)  Student Papers

Artwork and Letters from Students               Forms and Money You Collect from Students

Student Files (Portfolios)Work to Be Graded                                                                 Graded Work to Be Sent Home

Book Order Forms                                                                 Parent Correspondence

STEP 5) Activities/Worksheets You’re Using Now

Class Sets of Photocopies and Other Materials for Current Lessons

Materials for Today’s Lessons

Transparencies

STEP 6)  Teaching Resources for All Skills Taught

Lesson Materials and Papers for All Subject Areas
(See the Lesson Materials and Files page for more details)

STEP 7)  GENERAL FILES

Lesson Materials You’re Not Using                                              Seasonal Materials

Older Files from Previous School Years This page shows just the PHOTOS from Chapter 4 “Avoiding the Paper Trap”. The Cornerstone book and eBook includes 13 pages of detailed captions and specific instructions for creating each type of paper storage!!

Cornerstone Cross-Reference

Find even MORE info about organization and avoiding the paper trap in The Cornerstone book and eBook! Book-exclusive content includes:

Ch. 1: Classroom Arrangement
*How to create space for the 8 basic elements of an elementary classroom, no matter how small or oddly-shaped the room
*Photographs of four desk arrangements that really work (and why two others don’t)
*Attractive and useful set-ups for bulky and outdated computer stations
*The number one factor you should consider when placing your desk and workspace

Ch. 2: Planning for the First Weeks of School
*Sample lesson plans for teaching procedures during the first week of school
*The 11 things that HAVE to get done before the first day
*What to buy (and what NOT to buy) for your classroom

Ch. 4: Avoiding the Paper Trap
*Detailed instructions for establishing ONE place for EACH type of paper you come across, regardless of the space and containers you have

Ch. 5: Finding and Filing Instructional Resources
*Specific guidelines for managing your lesson materials for each subject area

Ch. 6: Organizing Classroom Materials
*How to make the most of students’ school supply lists so you don’t have to spend out of pocket
*Why you should think twice before allowing students to share materials or use communal school supplies
*Inexpensive ways to get classroom materials

Ch. 7: Maintaining a Class Library
*How to choose books that kids will want to read (and how to obtain them on the cheap)
*Quick and inexpensive ways to categorize, level, and arrange your books into baskets or bins
*How to spend just ten minutes setting up a self-running book checkout system
*Solutions for the great debate: should you allow students to take books home?
*5 simple lessons that teach your students to care for and maintain your classroom library
*Creative ways to give kids ownership over the class library

Ch. 8: Cleaning, Packing, and Moving
*What to keep, what to toss, and where to put it so you can find it!
*Step-by-step photographs that show how to pack up your old room and unpack your new one
*How to pace yourself so you don’t get overwhelmed

Classroom Forms to Help You Avoid the Paper Trap

Detailed-Teacher-To-Do-Lists

Free

Parent-Teacher-Communication-Log

Free

The Quick Skill Assessment Form

$1.00

Recommended Resources

General Classroom Organization

My Top 36 Organizational Ideas in Photographs! I’ve written a weekly column for Education World which compiles my favorite tips for organizing your classroom. Access the archive and view each week’s tip and full-color illustration.

If you think I’M organized… check out out Vanessa Levin’s PreK Pages! Her organizational tips are relevant for teachers of ALL grades. Enjoy!

Kim’s Korner has great organizational tips, and is very specific about how she runs her classroom. If you like lots of details about the day-to-day stuff (like on this site) you’ll love Kim’s site. She also provides great printable forms.

Now What?

Bulletin Board Problems Solved
Classroom Desk Arrangements
Creating a Cozy Classroom
Lesson Materials and Files
Teacher-Submitted Ideas

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Angela Watson

Angela was a classroom teacher for 11 years and currently works as an instructional coach and educational consultant based in New York City. She's created a webinar series on pro-active behavior management and has written 3 books for educators. Check out the blog and free teacher resource pages for photos, tips & tricks, activities, printables, and more.

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