Notebooks, Notebooks, Notebooks!!!

Language Arts really is one subject that encompasses many mini-subjects/topics.  Reading, Writing, Grammar, Vocabulary, and (though minor) Spelling.

In the past, I have grappled at getting my students organized with large binders, and dividers for these areas of study.  It was never a major issue when I taught regular ed. and honors classes.  Since my school started using me and my sped. Cert. to teach lower level L.A. classes, the whole binder situation was NOT working out. 

This is my organizational system this year.  Because I was able to order compositional (marble) notebooks, I offered students two and asked them to supply two.

Reading NB (divided into notes and journal sections)

Writing NB  (divided into notes and journal sections)

Vocab. NB (Word of the Day and “other” section)

Grammar NB (Problem of the Day and notes section)

So far, no lost papers, kids have remembered their notebooks and no major issues.  I have to say I am quite satisfied with the set- up for this year.

But as of lately I’ve been reading about interactive notebooks…I’ve tried to implement this concept in my own way when having the kids take their notes.  (I may try to go more full force next year.)  MY QUESTION FOR INTERACTIVE NOTEBOOK USERS IS… How do you handle pasting in of papers?  Do they end up falling out?  Any recommendations?

Although my kids do take notes sometimes, sometimes it’s just easier for me to type and print the notes for some of my classified/IEP kids.  It hasn’t been too bad yet, but I am afraid that it will be getting tedious throughout the year…