Easy to Make Homework Folders

I get this question every year so this year I decided to put it all down in writing so I would have it! How do you communicate with parents and how do you send home all of the STUFF! 

Here is a little back story to why I use these folders. Your eyes can just keep on scrolling if you don't want to know but if you are nosy like me you will keep reading. Haha! 

A couple of years ago.....well more like 10... I was teaching 1st grade for the first time. I had all of my procedures in place and I thought everything was going well. My kids knew where to turn in their homework every morning and we were getting some real learning done. About 3:00 one day I get a phone call from Johnny's mom that he isn't on the bus. Well, um....yes he is I put him on there. She asks me if I got the note she sent this morning telling me his bus changed. Nope. No note. She swears she sent it. We find Johnny on his regular bus and I add this "extra bus" to his weekly schedule. 

Next day (I cringe just thinking about it).....buses pull away from the school and Johnny's mom walks up. Where is Johnny? Um.....on the bus like he is supposed to be. She proceeds to ask me again, "Did you get my note?". Ugh. No. No I did not! Where are all of these notes going? And why do you change how he goes home every day???

LONG story short this happened a few more times and I was beyond frustrated. I eventually found all of the notes at the end of the week when I finally had a chance to go through all of the turned in homework. ALL of the notes were there tucked in with Johnny's homework. I was mortified. #1 because it took me that long to look at their homework and #2 because I should have had a better system in place. I made folders that weekend and gave everyone STRICT instructions that all notes, money, and important things go in their folders. I check them first thing every morning. Problem solved. 

I also added in some behavior management calendars to keep track of how we are doing in class and those became a huge part of my parent communication system. I never looked back and continued with these handy dandy notebooks every year. 

So now every single year I purchase 3 prong folders for each of my students to take home each day with important papers, daily homework, our behavior calendars, and some at home resources that are helpful. 

Here is a peek at what I include:

I just made a simple label and printed them on Avery 8163 labels. You can get the template I used HERE. I used KG Second Chances Solid and KG Lego House for my fonts. You download them for personal use by clicking on the links or just use your favorite fonts.

• Behavior Calendar (free in my TPT store. You can get an Editable copy HERE)

  

  
  

• ABC Chart (free in my TPT store)

  
  
  

• Sight Word List (free in my TPT store)

  
  
  

• 100's Chart (free download) 

  
  
  

• A pencil pouch (I reuse them year to year so I don't have to buy more). We use this for money or notes from parent so they don't get lost. I put them right in the front.

  
  

• Welcome letter explaining our most important procedures and the purpose of the folder

  
  

• A shipping label in the front of the folder with all of my contact information. 

  
  

These are a lifesaver for all of that back and forth communication for parents. This year they can be used as an at home resource for students during online lessons. The possibilities are endless!

Thanks for stopping by today. Here are some great products for back to school that you might be interested in. And don't forget to FOLLOW ME ON TPT for updates on products and 50% off all new products.

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