The first few days of school are all about supplies and setting up your class for success. Youâre collecting tissue boxes, labeling notebooks, and passing out workbooks. But for some students, organization doesnât come naturally. And even for the organizationally inclined, trying to figure out whether theyâre pulling out their language arts workbook or their science notebook is at best a guessing game. After all, you canât see the cover when itâs inside your desk.
So to combat the âwhich workbookâ struggle, weâre taking notes from @TeachingTakesHeart and color coding our workbooks. Itâs quick, simple, and itâs making our transitions that much easier. Give it a try!
Image source: @TeachingTakesHeart
How does color coding workbooks work?
Youâll need nice wide permanent markers in as many colors as you have subjects. We recommend getting your workbooks colored before you pass them out. For example, stack all your math workbooks and swipe the marker on the bottom edge in the same color. Repeat with other workbooks in different colors.
If youâve already handed out your workbooks, you can still do thisâitâs just a bit more work. Take your markers with you to each desk and mark each one with the appropriate color.
Once you have everything marked, itâs simply a matter of asking students to locate the correct color. âItâs science time! Grab your purple workbooks!â
What else do I need to know?
This hack works best with traditional student desks. (I know some of you may have different set-ups, but Iâve never not had them.) Other teachers tell me this works with spiral and composition notebooks as well, so go to town!
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