“I use a 2” binder with programmed dividers. My daily schedule and lesson plans and yearly and monthly calendar are in the first section. ( I have to turn in my lesson plans by Thursday. My plans are on my computer, so I just print 2 copies and turn in only 1 copy. This way I also have a record to look back on the next year. We turn in our plan books at the end of the year.) The second section is parent communication. I have a list of ways I communicate positively with my parents: happy gram, personal conference, phone call, happy note mailed home. I have all students listed so I make sure everyone gets each of the communications during the year. The third section is conference notes. After one particular hairy conference with a parent who accused me of numerous wrongdoings and then going to my supervisor with things I never said, I came up with a sheet I fill out during a conference that I have the parent sign when we finish. This gives me a reminder of what we discussed, and since I have had the parent sign the sheet I haven’t had any other parent problems. The fourth section is long term planning. I have a page for each month. On the pages are monthly reminders for things I want to do. For example, on my pumpkin unit in October I want to remember to do a graph of our favorite pumpkin face. The fifth section is faculty meeting notes. I take brief notes during a meeting to transfer onto my monthly calendar. Having everything in one place keeps me from constantly looking for something. Everything is right at hand. Since I started this 3 years ago I haven’t lost anything and have gained so much!”Organizing Your Desk
