Bright Idea: Organizing Guided Reading Notes

Hi friends! I'm super excited to link up with so many amazing bloggers for the Bright Ideas Link Up!
Today I want to share how I organize my guided reading notes and paperwork. I used a pretty binder for eight years, but I like to have a scoring/anecdotal note sheet for each student, and flipping back and forth between +/-20 papers was not working for me. AT ALL. So last year, my school's reading teacher gave me this:
Can you tell my folder is loved? <3
This folder system is AMAZING! Basically, it's four 2-pocket student folders that have been folded backwards. The front cover/back cover is one folder that has been cut in half. Then she used the binding machine in the copy room to assemble it.
Let's take a peek inside, shall we?
In the first pocket is where I keep my log of dates when I meet with my groups and running record progress form. On the outside of the pocket, I made a schedule of which group I'm taking each day and when. I put the schedule on a sticky note, so it can be changed easily when needed. I like to map out when I'm taking my groups so that I don't waste precious minutes trying to figure out who I haven't met with in a while. It also works great for my students because I tell them what days I'm taking their groups (and they get mad if I miss their group! Haha!) In my district, I'm required to meet with below-level students every day, on level students 3 times a week, and above level 1-2 times a week. All of my kids are currently reading at or above grade level (L/21 or higher), so that helps with my scheduling. I am still taking my on-level group every day, because some of them were below grade level when the year started. I meet with my M's 3 times a week, and everyone else 2 times. I was even able to make time in my schedule to do my weekly fluency progress monitoring. It works out well that I only have 5 groups this trimester :)
A close up of my first pocket. The sticky note on the left tells me which group I'm taking and when. The one on the right tells me who is in each group (although I pretty much have in memorized!)
The next 5 pockets are for the groups, one pocket per group. I put them in order based on their level. There is a sticky note on each pocket with the names of the kids in the group. Then inside the pocket, I have each student's scoring/notes sheet, as well as my group lesson plan sheet. Sometimes if we don't finish the book during one session, I'll also put my copy in the pocket to remind me that we need to finish it.
Close Up
Each student has their own scoring/notes sheet because it makes my life easier at progress report and report card time. I can also easily move students from one group to another... just move their sheet to the new pocket! When I'm meeting with a group, I will pull their sheets out of the pocket and lay them out in front of me. It makes it easier to move from one student to another.
This is what my space looks like when I'm working with a group. Super easy to switch from student to student!
In the last pocket,  I have guided reading teaching "cheat sheets,"district guided reading and running record expectations, and extra copies of my note taking sheets and lesson plan sheets.

I love this folder system so much, I begged asked my reading teacher politely for another one to store all my progress monitoring and reading intervention materials.
I am going to change out the binding coil to a bigger one :)
I actually just found out you can purchase these kinds of folders, although I don't know what they're technically called, where to get them, or how much. But if you buy a bunch of folders during the Back to School sales, you could easily put something like this together for less than $1. And if you need more folders, just use a bigger coil.

Thanks for stopping by! I would love for you to stop by my Instagram and Facebook to keep up with more of my bright ideas! And don't forget to check out more awesome ideas... links below!

15 comments

  1. LOVE this idea! I used something similar for my plans, but a binder with a section for each students. I like how it is altogether!!!
    Mandy

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  2. I love this folder idea. I am wondering....would you be willing to share blank copies of the sheets you use? I would love to incorporate them as well. Thanks so much for sharing.

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    1. I am working on a follow up post that will include my scoring/notes sheets. Watch for it early next week!

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  3. Oh, my email address is dbrowers@yahoo.com
    Thanks again.

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  4. I would also love to see the sheets you use during your conferencing! I had a binder with a section for each child, but I quit using it because I didn't like the "pain" of flipping back and forth for notes. I'm going to figure out how to rig up one of these folders of yours!

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    1. I am working on a follow up post that will include my scoring/notes sheets. Stay tuned!

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  5. Ha ha I used these for my students writing and hadn't ever thought of using it for myself. Thanks for the bright idea.
    Mels
    Ms. K/1 ELL

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  6. Can you please email me the sheet you use for conferencing also.
    My email address is: ceesa@sbcglobal.net

    I tried to find them in your TPT store also.

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    1. I am working on a follow up post that will include my scoring/notes sheets as freebies. Watch for it early next week!

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  7. OMG! I love this! I'm making one stat! Thanks for the fabulous ideas!

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  8. What a great way to keep everything organized! I'm going to try and create something like this to use starting next week-even though we only have eight weeks left! That way, I can see what needs to be changed for the start of next year. Thanks for sharing! ~ Lisa

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  9. I love this idea! I would also love blank copies of the sheets you use if you wouldn't mind? My email is monique.silvi@hotmail.com :)

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    1. I am working on a follow up post that will include my scoring/notes sheets. Watch for it early next week!

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  10. Love this idea! I've always used a binder too and it's just so big and bulky. I know that you can get the multi-pocket folders at Staples, but I'm not sure of the cost.

    Sara :)
    The Colorful Apple

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