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How to Manage the Turn in Bin for Collecting Papers

Elementary Teacher looking for a classroom management trick for turning in papers? Check to this classroom organization idea that will help with the headache! | back to school | classroom ideas
Happy Saturday, Friends!
I want to share with you all how I organize graded assignments or signed papers that my kids turn in. Friday’s are crazy because we have a spelling test and a reading passage due. With so many assignments getting tuned in throughout the week, it can be easy for stacks to accumulate or cluttered turn in bins begin. I also struggled with remembering who still owed me what assignment.
I created this simple management system that works for me and my classroom. If you struggle with any of the above statements, I hope this method or an adaptation of this method works for you!
Elementary Teacher looking for a classroom management trick for turning in papers? Check to this classroom organization idea that will help with the headache! | back to school | classroom ideas
1. Find a spot that will be your designated “Turn in Station”. I have a spot in my classroom that has room for the kids to somewhat form a line behind one another so there isn’t a collision when turning in. You can use mailboxes like the picture shown above, or a stack of bins. The main point is to make sure that each slot has a number on it.
2. Create a Turn in Board like the 1st picture. Have the same amount of numbers on the board corresponding to the amount of spots on the mailbox. Make sure you have enough room to write.
How it works:
Let’s say that we are taking a reading test and they all finish at different times. Depending on the assignment, I have them bring it to me so I can check if they showed text evidence. The walk over to the Turn in Board and see where the name of the passage is located. They see “The Cold Winter” is next to number five. Then they walk to the mailbox and find the slot with number 5 next to it.
Each mailbox has a small clipboard inside of it.
The child pulls out the clipboard from the number they are supposed to be turning in.
Elementary Teacher looking for a classroom management trick for turning in papers? Check to this classroom organization idea that will help with the headache! | back to school | classroom ideas
Kids grab the mini-clipboard out of the slot and highlight their name the clipboard.
Each clipboard has a stack of papers with my classroom names on it.
The kids highlight their name to show that they completed the assignment.
They then highlight their name on their paper to ensure they wrote their name.
Elementary Teacher looking for a classroom management trick for turning in papers? Check to this classroom organization idea that will help with the headache! | back to school | classroom ideas
I keep a cup of Scentos markers to encourage highlighting. I wrote a blog post about a year ago to explain how much of a success it was.

 

Elementary Teacher looking for a classroom management trick for turning in papers? Check to this classroom organization idea that will help with the headache! | back to school | classroom ideas
On a large template was created on a Powerpoint, then I printed 4 to a page so I could save paper and have the sheets small enough. There is a stack of these near the mailbox. I write the assignment name at the top so they are certain they are turning their assignment into the correct bin.
Click {HERE} to download the templates for FREE.
Just insert text boxes and type in your names.

 

All I have to do is pull out the clipboard and easily see who owes me what. If I want, I can take the paper that have been turned in out, and grade what I have without forgetting who owes me what.
Or, I can wait until they are all graded.
Elementary Teacher looking for a classroom management trick for turning in papers? Check to this classroom organization idea that will help with the headache! | back to school | classroom ideas
I hope this sparks some sort of idea for organizing your papers if it has been a struggle for you in the past! I would love to hear what kind of system you use!
Amber

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11 Comment

  1. Reply
    Lindsay Rodriguez
    July 8, 2015 at 3:58 pm

    Oh my goodness! I think you just saved my life! I cannot wait to implement this idea during the upcoming school year! 😍😍😍

  2. Reply
    kdxpenguin1987
    July 27, 2015 at 2:56 pm

    Yes, thank you SO much for this! No more paper trays/bins that take up a considerable amount of space! 🙂

  3. Reply
    cc
    August 3, 2015 at 8:44 pm

    Thank you so much for this! Is there any easy way you could tell me how to insert text boxes so I can just type in the children's names? It doesn't seem to be an option I can find.
    Thanks for your time
    cc'

  4. Reply
    Anonymous
    January 25, 2016 at 3:08 am

    Thank you very much for sharing this! I'm planning on trying it with my first graders. I was wondering what font you use for the kids' names and for the title.

  5. Reply
    cctexgirl
    January 25, 2016 at 10:30 am

    THANK YOU!!!

  6. Reply
    Diva Small
    April 18, 2016 at 4:44 am

    A genius idea! I have a question,though…I have more than 22 students, Is the assignment sheet editable?

  7. Reply
    HTH
    July 14, 2016 at 5:10 pm

    you misspelled grammar on your board……..

    1. Reply
      Amber Calderon
      July 14, 2016 at 9:31 pm

      Hey!

      I know! I let the turn in bin be a classroom job, and sometimes misspellings occur! Thanks for the heads up, though! If only every classroom was perfect, am I right?! haha

  8. Reply
    Sally. Arnold
    July 18, 2016 at 2:48 pm

    For cheap clip boards maybe a piece of foam core and a buffalo clip???

    1. Reply
      Amber Calderon
      July 29, 2016 at 4:32 pm

      That sounds like a good idea but may be flimsy! I got the small clip boards for like $2 at Walmart! Worth the investment since you know kids are so rough! They may split those foam pieces!

  9. […] I have one kid that is the ‘homework manager’ she is in charge of checking the {TURN IN BOX} every day and then checking with the kids whose names are not highlighted to see if they in fact […]

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