Back to School Organization with Avery Products and FREE Binder Covers
Gearing up for back to school is hard work and it can be seriously stressful. Especially when papers are getting thrown your way all day long. I have a ton of forms, lists, procedural instructions, assessment paperwork and other important information that flows into my classroom for weeks! It all starts with staff meetings and professional development before school begins and it lasts throughout the entire school year. This year I vow to manage my classroom organization by taking control over every single important piece of paper. I will know exactly where each important piece of paper is filed for quick easy, and stress-free access at a moment’s notice. You can do the same with a little help from Avery products and some really cute FREE editable binder covers from yours truly.
This was a sponsored blog post. I received products and compensation from Avery. As always, this post reflects my 100% honest opinion. This post also contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase through one of my links, which helps to support the blog.
When Avery contacted me this summer to share classroom organization tips and inspiration using their products, I was thrilled. You already know how obsessed I am with Avery labels. I also use their binders, dividers, and binder pockets for quick access to all my essential school documents. Avery generously sent a boatload of materials my way to get started and I went right to town!
My shipment included several different colors of Avery’s Clear Cover Durable View Binders. I like this binder style because they are durable enough to hold up in my kindergarten classroom. I also adore the bright colors!
Class Information Binder
Let’s begin with my “Class Information” binder. This binder is like my second bible. I have it with me at school each day and I carry it home every night. It contains all of my student contact information, schedules, parent volunteers, calling tree information, and so much more. Organizing this binder was my first priority.
This binder is essentially separated into two parts: school information and student information. I used Avery’s 11200 Style Edge Insertable Plastic Dividers. I flip through these pages often and I needed something durable that would hold up for a few year’s worth of flipping. I love these dividers because they are made of a lightweight translucent plastic. These will hold up much better than traditional paper dividers. I also love the rounded style of the divider labels and their beautiful bright colors.
Creating the labels for my dividers was easy with Avery Templates. I was able to design my labels with just a few clicks using their free, Mac-friendly online software.
The second part of my Class Information binder is dedicated to information about students. I send home a student questionnaire during the first week of school. This form contains parent contact information, allergies information, special family circumstances, and more. I separate this section of my binder by student using Avery’s 11129 Ready Index Durable Table of Contents Dividers. These numbered dividers are AWESOME. Like so many teachers, I assign a number to each of my students. That child’s information is stored below the corresponding numbered divider.
Be Prepared for Extra Practice
When I notice that one student is struggling with a skill or concept that the rest of the class has mastered, I often assign that child extra practice as a homework assignment. The homework isn’t intended to be punitive and the last thing I want to do is bog down a struggling student with too much work. Often, these extra practice sheets are just a half page long so the student can gain some quick practice, then get back to enjoying childhood.
I keep all of these half sheets of paper organized using one of Avery’s Protect & Store mini binders. It is half the size of a regular binder (only 5.5×8.5″) and is the perfect way to store all of those pre-printed half sheets of paper for easy access to my extra practice pages and keep my classroom organization in check.
At my school, proper handwriting formation is a part of the curriculum. If I notice that a child routinely struggles with the same letter, I send home a half sheet of paper with a little extra practice. I go through many of these half sheets in a week, so I have them all prepped and stored in one of my Avery mini-binders. I used Avery’s 16180 Write-On Plastic Dividers to separate the binder by letter for quick access. Now if I see that a child needs to work on a certain letter, I can move the practice page out of my binder and into a child’s folder within a matter of seconds.
Easy Assessment Organization
Assessment is a big part of any teacher’s life. For Kindergarten teachers, assessments are what we do. I have a separate binder completely dedicated to my student assessments. I use a 1.5″ binder, but I usually have a small class (only ten students last year). Most teachers would probably need a 2″ or 3″ binder to hold all of their assessment materials.
In the front of my assessment binder, I once again used Avery’s 11129 Ready Index Durable Table of Contents Dividers to create a section for each student within the binder. The set goes up to 31, but I only use 11 of them since I have 11 students enrolled in my class this year.
Recording sheets for all of my assessments are included behind each students’ tab.
The back of my binder contains the materials I use to assess my students. I print all of these materials on cardstock and laminate them so they last through frequent reuse. Avery’s 16179 Durable Write-On Plastic Dividers with Pockets were perfect for this task. The plastic pockets are durable and hold all of my materials. I can quickly pull them out without having to open and close the rings on my binder. Every minute counts when I am running assessments and I love how the convenient pockets make it easy to maintain my classroom organization.
Are you looking to start your own assessment binder but don’t know where to begin?
Here are a few FREE resources from some of my favorite bloggers:
My assessment sheets are created around my school’s kindergarten report card. If you are looking to revamp your schools’ report card, this FREE report card template from DeeDee Wills is a great place to start.
Quick and Easy Access to School Forms
If your school is anything like mine, you probably have a form for EVERYTHING. I gathered copies of the forms I use most often and organized them into an entire binder dedicated to managing all of them.
For this classroom organization task, I used Avery’s 81824 Two Pocket Insertable Plastic Dividers. Master copies of each form were placed within the corresponding labeled pocket, and additional copies are stored behind the pocket. I never want to write on my last blank form. By placing master copies in the pockets, I can always be certain that I won’t use my master copy by mistake.
Get Your Classroom Organized with Free Editable Binder Covers
Now that you have been treated to a little organizational inspiration, I’m sure you are eager to start organizing all of that paperwork in your classroom so you can start the new school year on the right foot. Get organized in style with my FREE Editable Binder Covers. This freebie includes all of the binder covers I used in my own classroom, coordinating spines, and an editable PowerPoint file. This allows you to design matching covers and spines for all of your classroom needs.
Maria is a former kindergarten and first grade teacher, with 13 years of teaching experience. Her love and passion for all things early childhood is now fulfilled as a mom to two amazing kids. She loves sharing practical and creative tips and ideas that are perfect for young learners – in the classroom or at home!
Leave a Comment
90 Responses
I use Avery labels like they are going out of style – especially at the beginning of the year!
I love Avery Labels! I seriously cannot express how much my classroom depends on these labels. They take my classroom from basic to fabulous! I love creating and finding new ways to use the labels throughout my classroom as well as now my apartment!
I love Avery labels. I use them all over my classroom. I really liked the dividers with the rounded tabs that you featured near the beginning of your post. I love that you can type them. Very cute and organized. I would expect nothing less. 🙂
I too am trying to keep track of every little paper. I spent several weeks this summer organizing my tot purchases in 3 ring binders. I loved the dividers you used and I downloaded your free editable binder covers ( much cuter than the plain paper with sharpie writing!)
And since I didn’t want to cheat and check mark the task before I actually did it, I didn’t see the directions! LOL oh well….Shipping labels are my very favorite office supply—of ALL time! 🙂
I love the clear covered binders! I put pretty scrapbook paper behind my cover that help decorate the binders (and keep my 2 groups of kindies straight!)
I love using the number dividers too for my kids since I number them at the beginning of the year. Keeps things easy and of course I can reuse them each year 🙂
I love their address labels for labeling folders and journals. I love the bigger shipping labels for book labels and I use the labels to show how they are getting home the first few days of school.
I am a label queen! I label everything in my classroom and send notes home using sticker labels all the time. It is my top wish list item every year! My firsties are well informed!!!
I’m trying to figure out first-year classroom organization, and this post has given me some great ideas. Especially useful since those forms will start flowing in on Monday!
Maria, We must be related, because I use the same colors you use, in my Speech room and love all of the bright colors. I also love that Avery offers such a variety of colors. (I just bought a few to organize paperwork for an intern I am supervising). I need to set up a few more for my other forms and information. Thank you for the opportunity to win!
I’m trying something different this year. I use to write on all of my kids’ folders and notebooks, but I actually just got back from the store with about 3 different sized Avery labels. The 2 X 4 will be used in the homework folders on the inside (Return to school, Keep at home). The 3 1/3 X 4 will go on the outside of the folders and notebooks (subject … and maybe name). The 1 X 2 5/8 will go on their pencil boxes as name tags. I’m excited to see what the time difference will be! I usually spend a good 1/2 day handwriting all of these and my handwriting is not pretty! LOL
I use avery labels for EVERYTHING for my students! I make a sheet for all of my kids and then label whatever I need to label, poetry notebook, crayon bag, folders, etc. I <3 Avery labels!
Thank you so much for these adorable covers! I really enjoyed making them my own! I just discovered your blog this summer and I’ve really enjoyed reading and learning from you! Thanks!
Wow! I thought I was an organized teacher…. until I saw this post!! HAHA! Love it! Thanks for sharing your ideas and organization tips!! Kaitlin K&C Love Grade 3
Not sure if my comment went through. Our favorite is the dividers. I have a non verbal daughter with Autism and we use them to stick velcro on for her pecs cards for daily living, eating, hygiene and routines. Just about anything really. The bright colors make it easy to find different sections. LOVE them!
Binders! I put all of my files into their binders this summer, SO EXCITED! And I use a ton of their labels (thrilled about my new reader response notebooks this year!).
I’m a former kindergarten teacher turned work-from-home mom. I still love sharing ideas and resources to make teaching easier, so you can focus on what really matters in the classroom. When I’m not working on the blog, you’ll find me chasing kids around the house with a cold cup of coffee in my hand (some things never change even once you’re out of the classroom!)
for quick access to all my essential school documents. Avery generously sent a boatload of materials my way to get started and I went right to town!
90 Responses
I use Avery labels like they are going out of style – especially at the beginning of the year!
I use Avery labels to label TONS of things in my classroom. They’re my “go-to” labels!
I love all the fun colored binders!! They really help to stay organized in an adorable way!
I use the labels and the binders. I love the binders because of the ability to slip in a cover and change it out when you want to.
Labels! I label EVERYTHING in my classroom.
Binders, dividers, labels….they’re all great for organizing!
Labels, labels and even more labels along with the thin avery binders.
I love Avery Labels! I seriously cannot express how much my classroom depends on these labels. They take my classroom from basic to fabulous! I love creating and finding new ways to use the labels throughout my classroom as well as now my apartment!
I love Avery labels. I use them all over my classroom. I really liked the dividers with the rounded tabs that you featured near the beginning of your post. I love that you can type them. Very cute and organized. I would expect nothing less. 🙂
I’m definitely a binder girl–I love the bright colors and they help me stay organized! Thanks for providing your binder covers as a freebie!
Avery labels are my favorite! They are easy to print on and they keep my classroom looking nice and organized!
I too am trying to keep track of every little paper. I spent several weeks this summer organizing my tot purchases in 3 ring binders. I loved the dividers you used and I downloaded your free editable binder covers ( much cuter than the plain paper with sharpie writing!)
I love Avery’s binders and dividers. So helpful in keeping organized!
Labels, labels, and more labels 🙂
I love labels! And binders! And dividers! I can’t pick just one thing. 🙂
– Kelly 🙂
Mrs. Campbell’s Kids
I love their labels. I also love that they have box tops on their products. Win-win for teachers!
You can never have too many labels!
I live to be you…I want to be this organized someday…maybe before I die? Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Liesl in VA
And since I didn’t want to cheat and check mark the task before I actually did it, I didn’t see the directions! LOL oh well….Shipping labels are my very favorite office supply—of ALL time! 🙂
Liesl in VA
beachliesl@yahoo.com
I use the Avery labels all the time!:)
I love the numbered dividers like you showed!
I love Avery Labels! Especially the 5163 labels… they make my life a happy place! 🙂
I adore Avery labels, but then I have a ton of Avery clear cover binders, too…
Love the binders and the dividers!
Looove, looove, looove all the bright new colors of binders! Makes paperwork not so boring!
I love the labels ~ I use them for everything!
I love the colorful binders with the clear insert front page. Colors match my classroom perfectly.
I use Avery labels to label all of my kiddos many notebooks.
Ruthanne
It is a tie between the binders and labels…love them both and use them all the time! Thanks for the chance to win some great products!
I love the clear covered binders! I put pretty scrapbook paper behind my cover that help decorate the binders (and keep my 2 groups of kindies straight!)
Labels 🙂
I love their clear view binders like you used above! They’re my fave…:)
Blessings, Vicky
Love the labels!
I love the Avery Clear Binders & labels.
I love using Avery labels in my classroom. They make everything seem neat and organized!
Ms. King’s Kinders
I love the chalkboard labels! So stinkin’ cute.
~Michele
Jackson In The Middle
I love using the number dividers too for my kids since I number them at the beginning of the year. Keeps things easy and of course I can reuse them each year 🙂
Kelly
Sliding Into Second Grade
I love their labels and dividers.
I love their labels!
Thanks for the binder covers and all of the great ideas using Avery labels. I was unfamiliar with all of the new products.
I use the numbered dividers for all my kid info. They are perfect since I assign a number to each child!
Rachel
I love their address labels for labeling folders and journals. I love the bigger shipping labels for book labels and I use the labels to show how they are getting home the first few days of school.
I love Avery’s binders. I love the bright fun colors, while also keeping me organized!
Its a toss up between their binders and labels!! I love all of their products though 🙂
Karen
I use their binders and labels.
I am a label queen! I label everything in my classroom and send notes home using sticker labels all the time. It is my top wish list item every year! My firsties are well informed!!!
I’m trying to figure out first-year classroom organization, and this post has given me some great ideas. Especially useful since those forms will start flowing in on Monday!
The dividers look fantastic!
Maria, We must be related, because I use the same colors you use, in my Speech room and love all of the bright colors. I also love that Avery offers such a variety of colors. (I just bought a few to organize paperwork for an intern I am supervising). I need to set up a few more for my other forms and information. Thank you for the opportunity to win!
I love Avery labels!
I use Avery labels on EVERYTHING in my new kinder classroom. Love them! Can’t get enough!!
Great ideas for using Avery Products. Thanks
Especially the 81824 Two Pocket Insert-able Plastic Dividers
I might be addicted to organization! Love Avery products and the great ideas to use them in this post!
I’m trying something different this year. I use to write on all of my kids’ folders and notebooks, but I actually just got back from the store with about 3 different sized Avery labels. The 2 X 4 will be used in the homework folders on the inside (Return to school, Keep at home). The 3 1/3 X 4 will go on the outside of the folders and notebooks (subject … and maybe name). The 1 X 2 5/8 will go on their pencil boxes as name tags. I’m excited to see what the time difference will be! I usually spend a good 1/2 day handwriting all of these and my handwriting is not pretty! LOL
One of my goals this year it to be more organized, so this would help out a lot! 🙂
I use the labels and binders. I have labels EVERYwhere in my classroom.
I use avery labels for EVERYTHING for my students! I make a sheet for all of my kids and then label whatever I need to label, poetry notebook, crayon bag, folders, etc. I <3 Avery labels!
I use the Avery labels a whole bunch to keep myself and my classroom nice and organized all year! 🙂
I love using Avery clear labels!! 🙂
I am label crazy. I make a mail merge document with all my kids names so creating labels for all the folders and notebooks is a snap!
I use Avery labels to keep all of my students school supplies organized.
Labels, labels everywhere!
I love using the Avery labels to label the whole classroom and I print off my students names on these labels too!
love the labels. and I really want to use the divider pockets with tabs.
Thank you so much for these adorable covers! I really enjoyed making them my own! I just discovered your blog this summer and I’ve really enjoyed reading and learning from you!
Thanks!
Laura K.
Ms. Pretzel’s Super 2nd Grade Bugs
I just bought their colored binders to stay organized this school year!
Great idea!!! 🙂
Great idea!!! 🙂
LABELS LABELS LABELS – love them!!
smcelhone24@gmail.com
Labels, binders and dividers!!! You can never have enough!! ,
Conchy.Marcano@gmail.com
I love the Avery sticky labels in all different sizes! They keep me organized!
Amber.L.Unger@gmail.com
I love Avery labels and binders!
I love their labels!
Avery is a great company with great products!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Avery labels!
LABELS! I love office supplies in general, but I LOVE labels!
Wow! I thought I was an organized teacher…. until I saw this post!! HAHA! Love it! Thanks for sharing your ideas and organization tips!!
Kaitlin
K&C Love Grade 3
Not sure if my comment went through. Our favorite is the dividers. I have a non verbal daughter with Autism and we use them to stick velcro on for her pecs cards for daily living, eating, hygiene and routines. Just about anything really. The bright colors make it easy to find different sections. LOVE them!
I love the number tabs. A great way to help sort student data!
Binders! I put all of my files into their binders this summer, SO EXCITED! And I use a ton of their labels (thrilled about my new reader response notebooks this year!).
I love using address labels to label things with students names!
I use labels like crazy! Big ones, small ones, medium ones…we put them on binders, mailboxes, folders…you name it!
I use labels all the time in the room! And I love these products and ideas!
labels and more labels
My favorite Avery product to use in the classroom are the labels. We use them on file folders especially!
I use Avery labels for homework folder pockets & on money pouch in the folder.