One of the thing I like to plan during summer break is how to organize math notebooks for the year. I reflect back on the previous years and think about things I like and things I want to change. There is a lot to consider when getting your notebooks ready for the school year.
Step One- Choosing Your Notebook
The first thing you need to decide is what type of notebook will you be using. There are many types of notebooks to choose from.
-Spiral Notebooks (1-subject or 3-subject)
-Composition Notebooks
-3-Ring Binders
I currently use composition notebooks. Each year I have students get 2 notebooks, one for each semester. When we set up notebooks the first week of school I take the extra notebooks and store them in my classroom until we need them. This ensures students do not lose it or use it for another class.
Step Two- What will be In your notebook?
Before organizing your notebooks you need to decide what will be in them.
Do you want a separate section for vocabulary or will you put them with your notes?
Do you want a separate section for activities/classwork?
Do you want students to save a place to reflect on the lesson or activity?
In my notebooks I like to keep everything together. If we have a lesson on adding integers, the students will put all of the vocabulary, activities, notes and reflections with that lesson. I do have them put a heading for each of the items so that there will be some organization in the lesson itself.
Step Three- Organization of Your Notebook
Contents or No Contents?
I have my students use contents for each unit that we study. I make all of my students a content page for every unit. Students will glue the page in their notebook and record each entry in their notebook on the content sheet. I make new content pages for every unit. I usually put the content sheets on colored paper. One color for each unit during the year.
Conclusion
Organizing your math notebooks can be frustrating. There are so many choices, you don’t want to make the wrong one. Remember, if you don’t like how you have organized you notebooks you can change it next year or maybe even this year. Just keep trying new things and get rid of the things you don’t like. Eventually you will have the perfect organization for your math notebooks!
Do you need help with making dividers and contents for your students notebooks? Try our FREE editable math notebook dividers. We have a set that matches our 6th, 7th and 8th-grade units. We also have a generic set if you do not use our units. Click the links below to try them!
Need Help Preparing for Back to School?
Getting ready for Back to School is a busy time of year for teachers. It’s hard to have time to plan. We have created no-prep math units for back to school. There is one for 6th, 7th and 8th grades. These units review important math concepts from the previous year. Click the images below if you would like to check them out.
2 Responses
Hi Teacher Twins! I signed up to get the worksheet for free slope practice.
It never came to me and I am wondering if it went to junk or somehow I
did not complete the registration properly. Could you check to see if my
name is in your mailing list? Thank you.
Jackie O. (who has a twin named Joey!)
I sent you an email with the product! I hope you enjoy it!