1. Reminders about Binders September 4, 2013

2. Objective By the end of today’s session, you will be able to identify the components of the AVID binder system by creating a sample AVID binder with your teams and/or departments.

3. Highlands is an AVID school! In successful AVID schools, ALL students use a one-binder organizational system. The students will be carrying ONLY their binder, Springboard book, and Independent Reading Book to their classes.

4. What’s in the Binder? The binder contains: • A planner • One section per class • Including classes that meet on “M” or “S” days • A pencil pouch with some supplies—3 pens, 3 pencils, post-its, index cards, and 1 highlighter The binder does NOT contain: • Notebooks • Folders • Smaller binders • If you require these items, they must be stored in your classroom.

5. Every class gets one section! Every class gets one section—even classes that meet on “M” or “S” days. • On Tuesday 9/10, the students will be given time to set up their binders in school. • They will create sections in the order of their day. • Example: If a student has Math first period, his first section will be his Math section.

6. How can you make one section work for you? • Every teacher is responsible for managing his/her own section. • Feel free to create subsections in your section if you previously required a binder with sections. • You can create subsections for homework, classwork, vocabulary, etc. • Teacher Tip: If students do not have enough dividers, they can use construction paper with post-it tabs to create their own dividers • Any folders, notebooks, or small binders that you require must be maintained in your classroom.

7. How can we all contribute to the success of implementing the binders school wide? • PLEASE remind students to put all of their papers in the back of their section prior to the end of the period. • Each section of the binder should be organized from oldest to newest. • PLEASE remind students to clean out your section at the end of each unit or quarter. • Some teachers have had success managing this by asking the students to keep a folder or small binder in their classroom for students to file older paperwork.

8. How can we all contribute to the success of implementing the binders school wide? (continued) • Encourage students to use a paper clip or binder clip to keep old pages of their planner together • This will also make it easier for students to turn to the appropriate page in their planners. • Discourage students from sticking papers in the front pocket of their binder • Some students may find it helpful to create a separate homework section—that is okay!! • The students should not stuff every supply into their supply pouch. • The students do not need to carry around an entire packet of loose leaf in each section. • Some students may find it helpful to put 10-20 sheets of loose leaf in the front of their binder to use as needed.

9. How can we all contribute to the success of implementing the binders school wide? (continued) • Each team will go back to their TEAM LEADER’S classroom • Teams can choose to meet as a 7th and 8th grade group (Example: 7A and 8A meet together). • If you are not on a team, you will meet with your department. • Each team/group will set up a sample binder • The sample binder should contain at least 9 sections, a planner, some loose leaf, and a supply pouch. • You will use these samples as models when you are helping the students set up their binders on Tuesday 9/10. • Finally, each team/group will establish a set of norms for the binders that they will share with their students next week.