Julia G. Thompson

July 10, 2014

Like most other teachers, I find it impossible to completely be on vacation during the summer. I think about school. I think about what I could have done better last year, and I look ahead to the things that I know I can improve in the upcoming year. In doing some research, I found this helpful document stored away on my computer. It's from the DVD professional development kit that accompanies the First-Year Teacher's Survival Guide. I found it helpful in guiding my thinking about school and the ways that I can be a better teacher. Feel free to use it to plan your work this year as well.

Teacher Worksheet 7.6: How to Create a Useful Teacher Binder

Although a teacher’s binder is a very personal set of documents, dependent on the needs of the teacher and the types of courses and student that teacher has to manage; there are some items that are almost indispensable in any teacher binder.

· Your professional goals

· A to-do list for your professional life

· A list of positive labels about students

· Lists of activities to refer to energize your instruction

· Copy of Bloom’s Taxonomy

· List of Gardner’s multiple intelligences

· Tips for teaching study skills

· Grading reminders such as due dates or grading scales

· A school year calendar

· An outline of the instructional plan for the year, semester, or grading period

· Personally inspiring items such as uplifting quotations or notes from students

· Seating charts

· List of classroom chores for students to manage

· Ideas for integrating technology

· Class rosters

· Techniques for managing various classroom problems

· Lists of Internet resources to explore

· Stress management techniques