INDEPENDENT WORK FOLDERS - AN EASY READING CENTER SYSTEM

Since we are in full-blown back to school mode, I wanted to highlight something that has really saved my independent reading group station.  Maybe you have a killer routine that works for you?  Maybe you already use this one?  Dunno??!! However, just in case you don't roll with a system you dig all that much, I wanted to share a little something that works for me.  Um . . . it's FOLDERS. Who knew something so simple could make a world of difference??

Alright, so here is the skinny on this one.  About 6 years back, I was frustrated with my independent center rotation.  I would stock one of the dreaded "all alone" reading centers with a review worksheet of some sort . . . a little paper/pencil practice if you will.  At this time, this independent work was in a collective bin. When groups arrived at that station, they pulled a sheet out of the stack, worked, and turned in what they had completed when the timer sounded (in the same bin).  Here are just a few reasons that I wanted to pull my hair out doing it this way. . . 

1. When my students didn't finish their center worksheet, it made for a huge paper mess that I had to manage . . . BLARG!  It made holding kids accountable extra difficult.
2. Some kids finished in no time at all and I had to create additional center follow-up activities.     
3. I had to do most of the filing as I like to correct each piece of work that a child touches.
4. It was hard to tell who wasn't working up to their potential.
5. Differentiation was difficult in a communal bin -- kids easily see what everyone is assigned and it becomes a hot mess. 
6. I felt like I wasn't challenging the gifted babes enough.

Well, all this changed when I implemented one small adjustment -- stuffing work into folders.  Seriously folks.  It kinda sounds stupid, but it changed the WHOLE BALL GAME and simplified my life completely.  

Let me explain.  Before we started groups that year, I decided to try individual work folders for each child.  I labeled some regular old manila folders with each kiddos' name and added a colored sticky dot to indicate the child's group. 
Then, to make these files easily assessable to the kiddos, I organized them in a stacking tray by group color (see the matching dots . . . yeah buddy).  

So . . . when each group gets to their independent station, one child passes out the folders for his/her group and they get down to business during the 20 minute rotation.  The best part is that you can really differentiate this way.  Your low babies may be working on short vowels and have two papers to complete, while your top crew tackles comprehension stories, vocab, and vowel teams . . . with three papers to complete.  By putting the work into folders, kiddos don't seem to really notice that they have different jobs! 

At the end of the rotation, the papers get stuffed back into their folders (finished or not).  The folder is then returned to the correct stacking tray.

After school, I am able to pull the files and grade them quickly.  Everything is in one neat little place.  (This makes it easy to take home if I don't get to them after school.)  I star papers that are competed correctly, staple them together, and write file at the top.  If things need to be corrected, I circle the mistakes and write fix at the top of the paper.  If things are too sloppy, I erase the page or place a brand new copy in the folder with a "you can do it, Dude" note. 

After grading, everything gets stuffed right back into their folder and 1-3 new papers are added (work the following day . . . the number of papers depends on how the group worked as a whole as I don't want to totally overwhelm them).  I already have a stack of copied papers for each group set aside for the week.  These are sorted into fancy colored folders that match each reading group.  I pick and pull from these so stuffing is swift and rather painless.      

A comprehension quickie for my top group.
Starred with a silly note on the top.
Stapled to other completed papers and ready to file!

Mid-level group working on digraphs.
This kiddo went above and beyond.
I wrote a fun little note and gave him some Super Student Bucks!

The next day when the independent work station rolls around, the kids once again snag their folders and immediately file their corrected work. (No filing for me!!!)  Students then fix those questions/words that are marked and pick and choose which new papers they wish to tackle.  In my room, kids do not have to finish every paper that I give them.  However, they know they are expected to be working hard.  It's easy to tell who is trying their hardest and who isn't quite "reaching their potential" when work is in folders :)  

What's the incentive for kids to finish their work, you ask??  Well, in first grade we run a Fun Friday -- a 30 minute free time block right before lunch.  If a little sweetie's work is not complete, he/she gets to work to finish up what he/she did not manage to complete during the week.  Sure, I stack their folder a little bit on Thursday so Friday isn't a total play time (shhhh . . . don't tell them that), but most of the kids work oh so hard during the week and only have 1-2 papers to finish on Friday.  It's all about "beginning with the end in mind."  Those kids who didn't work  during the week, or who were struggling with concepts, get pulled to the back kidney table for small group support.  Some of the kiddos also volunteer to be teachers.  These sweet students sit next to a classmate who isn't finished and walk 'em through it.

It's a glorious system I tell you.  They file their own finished work.  They are held accountable.  You can differentiate between groups and even for babes within groups.  You can leave them little notes of encouragement.  It's easy to see who is struggling.  Overall, folders have been a really amazing independent center system for me.

The other thing I really dig about the folder thing is you can catch that kid that tries to get out of the independent work.  Yes siree!  When you grade each group set, it is easy to see who has been working and who hasn't.  If you notice a STACK of work on Wednesday, that "heart to heart" chat can take place.  You can also tell who has been hiding their work.  We all get 'em -- that little sweetie that files untouched papers or crumples them in a ball and hides them in the back corner of a desk (it's always in the same places . . . hehehehe). Well, with independent folders, you can figure out who that cute little kiddo is immediately . . . this child just so happens to be missing a paper that you just graded from the rest of the group :)  BUSTED -- and problem solved! 

Well, there you be . . . independent work folders in a nutshell.  If you are wanting to streamline your "all alone" station, this could be something to give a go this year.  I have shared this system with others and they always sing its praises. It makes things so easy.  Now, I know it's different strokes for different folks . . . but, this is one idea that may fit your style.      

Alrighty then . . . that's it from me today.  What do you think??  Is this something you might try?  Do you have a system that you love?  Feel free to share in the comments folks!  On that note, I am officially O-U-T.  I'll see you VERY soon with something oh so exciting.  Check back Monday.  You don't want to miss out :) Hugs y'all . . . hang in there :)