I'm on p15 of the filing thread

[Aubrey]

Do I need to read further, or do I have the gist? I'm sold on the idea, esp to help us maintain a smooth transition from one house to another in the middle of the school yr, I sent dh out for manilla folders (he brought 50 instead of 100!), & I'm working on lesson plans.

 

I got far enough to see the library card idea glued to the front of the teacher folder (or ea week?)--anyway, I've got that.

 

Would it be AWFUL to ask for hilights here? Or does it really warrant reading the 64p thread? Because if so, I've got a plan, & I've rationed myself. 15pp/nt, & go ahead & make folders anyway. If they're not perfect, they'll be good enough. :D (I got that part, too, & got dressed this AM before a painter could show up at my door.) :001_huh:

 

Thanks, guys.

[shanvan]

I was wondering the same thing yesterday!

 

Shannon

[parias1126]

I was also wondering the same thing. I've been sitting here homeschool planning for the last few hours and the last thing I want to do is read all those pages on that thread, but I am very interested in the ideas. I have already started working on the filing system, but wonder if there is anything important that I am missing as I only got to page 10 of that thread.

[MyLittleWonders]

I think I made it to page 15 or so before I started. I have continued to read and post in it now, but I was itching to get started and felt I had enough information to start making it work for us. So, I say go for it because man, that thread is long! But, keep reading it too because more and more good ideas keep coming up, like making/printing check-lists/progress charts for subjects that you don't want to tear apart or file. :D

[Aubrey]

I'd really like to see a sample of what someone's putting in there. For ex, I make my history plans by the week, but all 36 wks are in one doc. So would I break that down into 36pp to print & have an assignment sheet for ea subject in ea folder? That seems like too much paper.

 

Or do I copy week 1 history & week 1 science & week 1 math (etc) into one doc (etc) & still print 36 docs, but *only* 36--not one for ea subject.

 

That makes more sense. But that means I don't have a finished doc to print until I've planned *everything* & that's more overwhelming. I think my math plans for wks 1-18 are done. But that's all that's done. :tongue_smilie:

 

And I'm making a folder/wk for the littles. We're using the basic idea of MFW (I've got the tm) but I realized recently that I'm spinning my wheels w/ progs like this & FIAR, looking all over town, reserving stuff at the library, to fit someone else's plans. If they can do a week on butterflies w/ books I don't have, I can do it w/ ones I do. And if I don't have any books on octopi but I've got plenty on ducks, that's ok, too.

 

I was spending more & more time & $ searching for other people's favorite books when MY favorite books were sitting on my shelf unread. So Corduroy, Henry's Awful Mistake, & Everybody Knows That--here we come. I"M making the rules this yr. :lol::lol:

 

And ohmygosh, I might actually do it w/ file folders. I have a complete incapacity to remember the words to anything but ABC, & even that, I get the tune wrong. So typing up the songs & having them in ea wk's folder (I'll probably just move them from wk to wk) instead of having to find the right pg in the tm (& finding the tm) means no more,

 

This is my Father's World,

The fields and grass and nuts and mice

Around me sing....

 

Followed by...

 

dada dada dadadada...

da da dadada...

 

My 1yo does better than I do at some songs. :glare:

 

So, yeah, I think folders sound cool. And crates are $3 at WM. If only I'd remembered that yesterday when I was there. Or yesterday when dh was there. :001_huh:

[mommy4ever]

I read the whole thing. There are lots of thank yous in the later pages, but some really great ideas do come in. I'd suggestion reading it as you find time. I read it all in one sitting :blink: but I got alot out of it.

 

Tomorrow evening I plan to re-read and make some notes..lol. No one will be home but me and my critters(no, not the kids, the 4 legged variety). So I'll have some quiet to do it in.

[Aubrey]

I read the whole thing. There are lots of thank yous in the later pages, but some really great ideas do come in. I'd suggestion reading it as you find time. I read it all in one sitting :blink: but I got alot out of it.

 

Tomorrow evening I plan to re-read and make some notes..lol. No one will be home but me and my critters(no, not the kids, the 4 legged variety). So I'll have some quiet to do it in.

 

So...ya don't want to turn those "notes" into "hilights" in this thread...do ya? :D

[Avila]

Here is what I put into mine:

 

Any maps for history/geography

Copies of material for dictation

Copies of the poems we are memorizing

Holiday craft ideas and coloring pages

Liturgical year craft ideas and coloring pages

Lesson plans for the two subjects that I wrote up myself

Tests and/or quizzes for the subjects that we use them

Supply lists (and supplies if small enough) for crafts and science experiments

 

And I am still thinking of things to add. I broke mine up into a green hanging folder for each week and a manilla folder for each child per week. For the lesson plans, I did print a week per sheet of paper, and it doesn't really bother me because paper is less expensive than ink and the ink is still the same. ;) It just makes it easier to work with for me this way.

 

ETA: I should add that I only printed lesson plans for the few subjects I had to write them for. For the basic scheduling, I use a teacher planner and pencil, and I kept that separate. If I wanted to do all that on the PC, I would put all the subjects on one page and print a page per week for each child with all their work on it. I have tried both ways, and I find it easier to make a master plan in my teacher planner and give each child who works independently their own little planner that I update every two weeks or so. This has helped me significantly with dealing with stress of plans changing, getting behind in one subject, and being able to follow bunny trails without having to update a whole planner to do it.

Edited July 29, 2010 by Asenik

[shanvan]

I use the copy & paste feature and put all helpful info into one word document so I can print it. Thought I would share in case it helps you.

 

I can't believe you read it all in one sitting!

 

 

Shannon

 

I read the whole thing. There are lots of thank yous in the later pages, but some really great ideas do come in. I'd suggestion reading it as you find time. I read it all in one sitting :blink: but I got alot out of it.

 

Tomorrow evening I plan to re-read and make some notes..lol. No one will be home but me and my critters(no, not the kids, the 4 legged variety). So I'll have some quiet to do it in.

[JoyfulMama]

Don't feel you have to have EVERY NOTE in the file folders if you already have your subjects laid out in another file. Stick the pages you will need to use in the folder, and use a sticky note for something else if you need it.

So, grab yourself a binder and keep your subject plans in there for ready reference, and just put the "stuff" in the folder if that works best for you. And feel free to put your book-of-the-week in your file folder. You don't have to look for it that way. ;)

 

There are lots of ideas, as everyone is making it work for them. Don't be a slave to someone else's filing system.

[mommy4ever]

I use the copy & paste feature and put all helpful info into one word document so I can print it. Thought I would share in case it helps you.

 

I can't believe you read it all in one sitting!

 

 

Shannon

 

 

LOL.... me neither! It was more like 20 minutes snippets all day long. But I got it done.:lol:

 

It just kept making more and more sense to me.

[MyLittleWonders]

This is what I have going in each week's file:

 

1. Loop schedule flow chart for the week with lesson plan "notes" jotted down (page numbers, chapters to read, basic directions for history mapwork)

2. Photocopies for: Latin, history (coloring pages and maps mostly), science (lab sheets)

3. WWE writing pages (I gave in and decided to use the student pages for copywork and dictation; I tend to do narration on the computer as they retell the passage to me)

4. Progress charts for AAS (I think I'm also going to make ones for FLL and math after reading ideas on the main thread)

 

Inside each hanging file, I think I'm going to end up putting manila folders for individual subjects and kids: one folder for each kid containing WWE pages and AAS/FLL/math progress charts (this is mostly for ds#1 and ds#2; I'll probably put little worksheets/activities for ds#3 in his, but he's must more free-flowing with school right now); and one folder each for History Odyssey/SOTW, science, Latin, and US History (mostly just things I made to do based on books we are reading).

[catholicmommy]

Don't feel you have to have EVERY NOTE in the file folders if you already have your subjects laid out in another file. Stick the pages you will need to use in the folder, and use a sticky note for something else if you need it.

So, grab yourself a binder and keep your subject plans in there for ready reference, and just put the "stuff" in the folder if that works best for you. And feel free to put your book-of-the-week in your file folder. You don't have to look for it that way. ;)

 

There are lots of ideas, as everyone is making it work for them. Don't be a slave to someone else's filing system.

 

:iagree:

 

Think about which parts of filing will make your life easier and do them. Don't be afraid to do it 'wrong' because there is no 'right' way!!

 

Anything that will make your life more complicated in the long run or more stressed out, don't do!!

[woolybear]

I think if you've figured out a plan that will work for you, then you don't need to read more. I've been following the whole thing from the beginning, but if I hadn't I don't think I would've read it all. I honestly can't recall what info was where, but I think you got the gist of it.

 

Melanie--Catholicmommy--posted on her blog and had pictures. I can't find her blog at the moment, but it was very helpful for those of us who like visuals. I will post pictures if I can figure out how:) when I am done filing.

 

Here is a brief synopsis of what I am doing. I have a master crate with files for the whole year. Each week has a file for me and one for each dc. I have a smaller working crate in which I put the files for one season (appx. one trimester). Then, myself and each dc have a portable crate (smaller with a top and handle) which will have the file for one week. Also, in their crate, each child has a pencil box with supplies and some of the books which will not be cut up.

 

The library pockets which will be on my folders will only be every 3 or 4 weeks. I will have one index card each for supplies, library books, books or items I need to locate at home, and field trip planning.

 

I am not nearly done. Well, barely started because I am still waiting for things to arrive, but the substructure is in place.:)

[woolybear]

:lol::lol: I just saw that Melanie was posting the same time I was. So, there is her lovely blog.

[catholicmommy]

:lol::lol: I just saw that Melanie was posting the same time I was. So, there is her lovely blog.

:lol::lol: we must be twins :lol::lol:

 

I wish I had more time to blog. I had so much fun blogging through our K and grade one years when the twins were babies.... I just haven't had the energy to motivation to do it for ages. It's such a fun record of our life though.

 

Maybe I should edit my first post in the thread to include a link to my blog so people can find it easier.

[1bassoon]

I've been skimming The. Thread. for about a week.

 

Last night, my head cold finally "broke", and I had a flash -

 

WHY do I want to do this, anyways?

 

So I sat and made a list of my reasons for filing. This is what I came up with:

 

1) To have a repository for TOG materials I print up in advance.

 

2) To keep myself on track, and not get behind and put off lessons that are, essentially, "easy" to teach - grammar, spelling, math.

 

3) To keep my kids without excuse when Mommy has an "off" day, or am called away - they will have work ready for them to do, and can be more responsible to do it.

 

4) To organize materials for my youngest (K), so I give her a better education than I did last year.

 

At any rate - I kind of got lost in the "But everyone ELSE is doing it!" swamp, and needed to clarify my own reasons.

 

Here's what I get as my notes - or "Highlight Reel":

 

* get files, 1-36 for school (Ok, true confessions - I'm only planning 9 weeks at a time. Maybe that defeats the purpose, but it's where I'm at)

* put one folder per kid in each file (My true confession - I'm doing two per kid; one for TOG, one for Everything Else)

* file your lessons

 

Does that work for you?

[RobinF]

Here is a thread I started for photos/blogs of those who had filing systems. Mine isn't very detailed but I did blog about it.

 

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=194573

[I.Dup.]

I've started filing and here is my dilemma. I understand how to file everything that needs to be filed, the problem is the lesson plans. We should have lesson plans that go along with this, right? I need lesson plans. That is how I know what to do each day. Do the lesson plans go in the file folder itself (like written on a sheet of paper) or do you use a calendar or something? Or does the file folders negate the need for lesson plans- you just do what's in the folder, a little each day or what?

 

(and I was following the thread as it was being written and yes I did read it all :D)

[Aubrey]

I've been skimming The. Thread. for about a week.

 

Last night, my head cold finally "broke", and I had a flash -

 

WHY do I want to do this, anyways?

 

So I sat and made a list of my reasons for filing. This is what I came up with:

 

1) To have a repository for TOG materials I print up in advance.

 

2) To keep myself on track, and not get behind and put off lessons that are, essentially, "easy" to teach - grammar, spelling, math.

 

3) To keep my kids without excuse when Mommy has an "off" day, or am called away - they will have work ready for them to do, and can be more responsible to do it.

 

4) To organize materials for my youngest (K), so I give her a better education than I did last year.

 

At any rate - I kind of got lost in the "But everyone ELSE is doing it!" swamp, and needed to clarify my own reasons.

 

Here's what I get as my notes - or "Highlight Reel":

 

* get files, 1-36 for school (Ok, true confessions - I'm only planning 9 weeks at a time. Maybe that defeats the purpose, but it's where I'm at)

* put one folder per kid in each file (My true confession - I'm doing two per kid; one for TOG, one for Everything Else)

* file your lessons

 

Does that work for you?

 

Thank you--this is really reassuring & helpful. Partly, I didn't want to miss the cool stuff like library card holders on the file folders (which I probably won't do this yr, but if I see the usefulness of it, might try next yr). :001_smile:

[Aubrey]

I've started filing and here is my dilemma. I understand how to file everything that needs to be filed, the problem is the lesson plans. We should have lesson plans that go along with this, right? I need lesson plans. That is how I know what to do each day. Do the lesson plans go in the file folder itself (like written on a sheet of paper) or do you use a calendar or something? Or does the file folders negate the need for lesson plans- you just do what's in the folder, a little each day or what?

 

(and I was following the thread as it was being written and yes I did read it all :D)

 

From what I understand, there's some form of a checklist in ea kid's folder, but the lesson plans are in Mom's folder. Kids get a folder ea wk, but Mom might only get 1/6wks or 1/mo.

 

HTH!

[catholicmommy]

I've started filing and here is my dilemma. I understand how to file everything that needs to be filed, the problem is the lesson plans. We should have lesson plans that go along with this, right? I need lesson plans. That is how I know what to do each day. Do the lesson plans go in the file folder itself (like written on a sheet of paper) or do you use a calendar or something? Or does the file folders negate the need for lesson plans- you just do what's in the folder, a little each day or what?

 

(and I was following the thread as it was being written and yes I did read it all :D)

 

Hi kristi!

 

Just own the system for yourself :001_smile: If you need lesson plans then add them in. I usually just read from the teacher manuals each day, keepong a post it flag as a bookmark.

 

Some moms are having an extra folder for each week for themselves where they are puttin in plans.

 

I am thinking of making a master calendar with all my weeks typed up and bound together, but i haven't decided yet. I guess it all depends on your teaching style.

 

Does that help?

Edited July 30, 2010 by catholicmommy
spelling problems again !!

[missmoe]

I have just 36 folders---one per week of school. My plan is to put in lesson plans for each subject. I am typing these up myself. I am also putting in copies of pages needed, quizzes I type up, and our LA test (because we tend to have problems finding the test books). I bought a clear plastic file box with a lid. I will have room to put some off my teachers books behind the folders. I may go ahead and get 6 more folders so I can make list of things I will need that I haven't been able to get yet. It's a bit simplied compared to what everyone else is doing, but I think it will work for us.

[Closeacademy]

This is how mine are set up:

 

Hanging files--1 for each week of the year

file folders--1 for each child filed in the hanging file

 

Within the file folders:

schedule for the week (does not include work in math workbook, book that is being read, lapbooks or anything that is likely to change)

any resources for those topics (newspaper article, worksheets, books, printout of ideas, paper to do work on, etc.)

 

Here is what is in week 2 of August:

At front of August file, I had a a calendar with books to checke out, 4-H books to pick up and field trip ideas. Marked on the calendar are important dates such as appointments, days off, and anything important.

 

Younger dd (2nd grade):

Schedule for the week

notebooking page for th

2 pieces of blank paper for form drawing

page printed from Nature Nest blog on the 4's table, quality of 4 lesson

blank clock for 4's table

blank circle for 4's star pattern

copy of 4's star pattern

Marmaduke multiply 4 game

counting by 2's and 3's activity sheets

Nomowapa and the Decorations math story

Nomowapa and the Trading signs math story

4th of July fireworks activity (counting by 4 to 100)

Animal tracks folder--includes tracks to shade on paper

4-H Wildlife manual

 

Older dd's folder (5th grade):

schedule for the week

sentence analysis pages and materials from Montessori manual for indirect objects

not in there yet:

grammar worksheets from OM 5

SWR list L-5 worksheets

lapbook pieces (she has to pick out the lapbook)

math story

 

I hope this helps you get a better idea of what can be put in there. You have to do what works best for you and you may need to play around with it a bit. It was easy for my to start the file system because I already had things in binders and I thought if they were in the file cabinet, I could add bulkier objects and keep them put out of sight.:001_smile:

[ELaurie]

but now that I have succumbed to temptation, I can only find 4 pages :tongue_smilie:

 

Link please?

[ELaurie]

But it's only 4 pages, right?

[Aubrey]

1. I'm working on science, & I've already changed my mind about (& bought) library pocket holders. What a dream to be able to pull my supply list w/out having to flip thr the tm!

 

2. One of my favorite ideas from people's pics (other than the basics) is somebody who color-coded her quarters. All the hanging folders for the 1st Q are...blue, maybe, 2nd Q red, etc. At a glance, you can see where you are. I was bummed that I'd already bought some hanging folders last wk (for something else) until I saw that my box only has 25! :thumbup:

 

So I got multicolored (NOBODY sells those, but I finally found them at Staples), & I'll use the boring green ones for the other stuff I need it for AND for the teacher file at the beginning of ea 6wks/quarter/whatever. They'll stand out.

 

One of the benefits I'm anticipating--I have a REALLY hard time processing information when it's laid out differently. So, for ex, I *never* follow a recipe correctly, because it's written in the wrong order. Going from one tm to another w/ ea subject takes *time* for me, because my brain just doesn't adjust well.

 

I'm typing out all my plans in *one* format. So much better for visual me. AND I can see so plainly where there are holes. We go WEEKS w/out experiments this yr, which shocks me to see on paper like that, but now I know a) what kinds of field trips, etc I want to look for, b) where to put them, & c) um, just that I need to.

 

Also, as far as "planning"--I've found that when I plan, we get more done. And I don't just mean the books--we do more supplemental reading, because it's pulled, but we do more field trips, etc, too. Actually, we don't do them unless I plan. Before Seminary (can I call that BS? :lol:), I actually did this once at the beginning of the yr & once at the beginning of some 6wks--that way, I knew that the Hatshepsut exhibit was in town when we were studying Egypt. Etc.

 

I haven't done that since coming here & adding the last 2 babies, & so I *missed* taking the dc to the Log Cabin Village w/ its cheap crafts, camps, & activities while trying to put the same things together myself since we're studying pioneers. :banghead:

 

So, yeah, this might be very good. Because even when I plan, type stuff out, etc,

 

 

 

 

I can't find my notes later. Until they turn up in the laundry room, behind dh's tools. :confused:

[lauracolumbus]

This is how mine are set up:

 

Hanging files--1 for each week of the year

file folders--1 for each child filed in the hanging file

 

Within the file folders:

schedule for the week (does not include work in math workbook, book that is being read, lapbooks or anything that is likely to change)

any resources for those topics (newspaper article, worksheets, books, printout of ideas, paper to do work on, etc.)

 

Here is what is in week 2 of August:

At front of August file, I had a a calendar with books to checke out, 4-H books to pick up and field trip ideas. Marked on the calendar are important dates such as appointments, days off, and anything important.

 

Younger dd (2nd grade):

Schedule for the week

notebooking page for th

2 pieces of blank paper for form drawing

page printed from Nature Nest blog on the 4's table, quality of 4 lesson

blank clock for 4's table

blank circle for 4's star pattern

copy of 4's star pattern

Marmaduke multiply 4 game

counting by 2's and 3's activity sheets

Nomowapa and the Decorations math story

Nomowapa and the Trading signs math story

4th of July fireworks activity (counting by 4 to 100)

Animal tracks folder--includes tracks to shade on paper

4-H Wildlife manual

 

Older dd's folder (5th grade):

schedule for the week

sentence analysis pages and materials from Montessori manual for indirect objects

not in there yet:

grammar worksheets from OM 5

SWR list L-5 worksheets

lapbook pieces (she has to pick out the lapbook)

math story

 

I hope this helps you get a better idea of what can be put in there. You have to do what works best for you and you may need to play around with it a bit. It was easy for my to start the file system because I already had things in binders and I thought if they were in the file cabinet, I could add bulkier objects and keep them put out of sight.:001_smile:

 

 

Thank you for taking the time to post this. I read the whole thread and think this is a great synopsis of how to do this.

 

BTW, I bought multi-colored hanging folders at Sam's Club a while back. They're scattered so I'm not sure how many are in the pack (but I need to go back to get more to start this). They're very aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

 

Laura

[Aubrey]

From the other thread:

 

I'll add that I'm very excited that I have so much filing done. I got my library pockets, and have index cards listing all the dvd's and books I need for each week, and which major craft comes that week. *snip* This thread is truly a lifesaver!!!!!

 

Oooh...what about getting those paper dvd sleeves & gluing those to the folders, to slip CDs & DVDs for the week right in there along w/ everything else?

[ELaurie]

:lol:

[Carla]

but now that I have succumbed to temptation, I can only find 4 pages :tongue_smilie:

 

Link please?

 

Hey, I had the same problem... only I DID see the 70 page one a few days ago. I realized that I switched my thread viewing from linear to hybrid the other day. I experimented and sure enough, I see only 4 pages in hybrid, but all of them in linear. Don't ask me why but it may fix it for you too! :confused: Hope that helps.

 

ETA: oops, sorry, it's called "display mode" in your upper right hand corner of the board. Switch it to linear.

Edited July 31, 2010 by carlita

[ELaurie]

I switched to Linear Mode

 

:auto: