I am here to tell you the truth.
THE TRUTH, I say.
I already hinted at this on my Five for Fraturday post last week. Or, maybe, in all actuality, I didn’t hint. I might have said:
I took all of my files from my filing cabinet and organized them into binders. You can check out the post {HERE}.
Oh, I was so proud of my binders. I mean, I was beaming.
Look at my binders, I said to anyone who came into my room. And I would open up my cupboard doors and show them off.
And then school started.
And with it came my absolute hatred for binders.
First of all, they’re clunky. They are! They are big and heavy. And some of the rings on some of the binders do not snap together the way they should. It’s bad workmanship, if you ask me. Or, as someone’s grandma once said (not mine, but somebody’s), it’s shoddy work, sonny boy!
Besides the big clunkiness and giganticness of binders, you have the whole page protector thing going on. You need one, you lost one, you can’t find one, where’s the opening, this one doesn’t have an opening, oh there it is, this one is filmy, this one is clear . . . I just ran out and I don’t want to buy anymore.
THEN, you have the problem of not one more page protector will even fit in this binder and I cannot even get it to close so I will sit on it like I am sitting on a too-full suitcase and see if that helps, only it doesn’t because I don’t really do that. What I do is slam it into its place in the cupboard and it doesn’t go all the way in so it just sticks out, mocking me.
AND, to add insult to injury, I have all of these picture cards that fall out of all of the page protectors every time I pull a binder out of my cupboard. They fall out. Onto the floor. And all over. And it’s not like I can find every single card. Some cards are lost forever!
Lastly, if I haven’t made my point yet, there is the issue of RETURNING THINGS TO THE BINDERS.
I HATE THAT PART.
I NEVER WANT TO DO THAT PART.
IT IS NOW MY MOST UN-FAVORITE THING TO DO EVER IN ALL THE LAND.
Case in point:
I've had the same hatey relationship with my totes. I keep books, papers, games, hands-on items in a tote for each month. But they take up too much room in my storage closet, something gets left out,etc. I try to weed out items – then I think what if I need it next year? It's a vicious cycle.
I've always been a fan of filing cabinets. I have 3 filing cabinets, and I also find them much easier than binders. I may need to purge and organize what's in my files this summer, though. They could use some attention.
Jan
Laughter and Consistency
I use the expandable file thingys (you know it gets wider the more you put in it, but the sides stay intact). Then I write the subject on the outside of the folder thingy. I usually do this by topic. . .bears, penguins, etc. (I started it when I taught Pre K and the letter people, M was the 5 senses, so it is kinda cra cra, but I know the topics and am SLOWLY reverting to the k world). And then for the BIG themes (Christmas, Valentines, etc) I have them in boxes on top of the cabinets with labels on them. So I just shove it all in (nicely of course) and have some strong person put it back up for me and bring the next box down. I hope this helps. . .it is not perfect, but it works for me.
When my (retired) first grade teacher found out that I had become a teacher, she invited me over and gave me all of her binders. Exactly like your binders…. Page protectors, labelled by theme and month… As a new teacher I thought I had hit the jackpot! It's been 10 years and those binders sit unopened in my top cupboard. Honestly… Who can be bothered!? So glad you shared this! Thanks for the smiles!
No one shalt (shalt?) part me from my filing cabinet!!!! Binders make me crazy!
I started the Binder system too…I haven't had so many issues thought-but could see why you are not liking it.
A tip for your cards could be placing them in a ziploc bag and hole punch the ziploc bag…that's what I'm doing with some crafts for my monthly binders. I wish I had more file cabinets..but with them being used for students files..I plan on getting all my binders together by the end of the year.
Love your posts!
-Lovely Nina
lovelyninadesigns.blogspot.com
I feel your pain. I have been using binders for 3 years now, and it is a pain to have to pull out the folder every day and then file things back…. So I usually wind up filing about every 2 weeks!!! :/
Girl, I'm with you. I have also tried binders. I have to use them due to a lack of filing space for a few things, but all of my "constants" are in file folders because they make my life so much easier. Thanks for telling it like it is! Your posts are so fun to read. 🙂
Let's start a campaign… TAB Teachers against binders….I will help you burn them this summer!
I must say it… THANK YOU! After reading your first post last summer-ish I was soo going to give this a shot but kept putting it off. I think I would hate it too! Now, I think I will just organize my file cabinet instead. 🙂
I love your posts. I use a combination of both systems. I like my files for monthly and/or bulky stuff and the binders for my worksheets.
Hahaha! Tears in my eyes from laughing! Been there done that!
I love my filing cabinet too!, just drop the junk in and done.
This past summer, I got the cheap magazine file boxes at IKEA. ( I didn't want to invest a lot of money if it didn't work.) I made one for each of the categories I wanted such as the different strands of math, one for narrative writing, etc. I have some file folders inside as well but my favorite part is putting things away; I just drop it back in the box. This is so much better than the giant needs to be filed pile that would take hours when I finally got around to it. Since then, I have decorated the boxes and put shelves in my office closet. Found this idea somewhere and adjusted it to work for me. I love it so far.
Your post this summer inspired me!! I have a desk file holder, and anything that needs to get filed goes into 1 file folder. I get everything put together about every 10 days. I do like them 🙂 Something else that has helped, is that when I take something out, I move the page protector to the back. That way when I file, it just goes in the back of the binder. This has worked pretty well.
I totally agree, I hate my binders that I spent hours and hours and dollars and dollars on. I like the file cabinet and have gone back to it after two years of trying binders.
i love binders… but I love filing cabinets even more… but even MORE?! Tubs!! I have all my monthly stuff in TUBS! all the February in one tub…labeled Feb…and then I just throw things back in the tub. Filing cabinets are for phonics, grammar, and math and science….but tubs are great for everything else!
Ok… we are car pool buddies… late night texting buddies… neighboring school district buddies… and even travel roommates…and I love you to pieces. BUT, this is horrific! AND you're doing it wrong!! Task cards, pictures cards and the like do not go in the binders. Only original black lines (things to be copied) go in the binders!! We'll get past this.. haha ;P
Oh, your post made me laugh. I've been where you are with binders, and files, and just all over the map. Have my own draft post going on this topic to show my LATEST attempt at organization 🙂 I think it all may be futile. Loved reading your post! See you around. Kathleen Kidpeople Classroom
Totally hear you! I thought I'd love binders too…everyone seemed all ramped up over them. So, I thought, yeah, lets try it. I do the same thing you do. I like it for some things, but most things, I like files for. MUCH easier.
File Folder Fans Unite!!!
Stephanie
First Grade Bangs
I got a kick from reading this! I spent a full 2 weeks last November and December purging my filing cabinet, labeling new color coded folders by CCSS topic and number. Then went 1:1 with iPads in March and I have opened my filing cabinets a total of less than 20 times since then. Now I'm actually thinking of giving them away. The things we do to make our worlds better only to find it was a futile exercise.
Good luck going back to files.
Stacie
makingoverthirdgrade.blogspot.com
This made my day! So funny! 8
I don’t really care what system other people use (and binders are SO cute!) but I couldn’t make them work either. And then I felt like a failure. So thank you for sharing your Binder Loathing! I know I’m not alone!