Getting Organized

Setting up your binder

Here are the tabs you should set up in your binder, and a description of what they’re for:

Before the first tab: Partner sheet
Before the first tab: Homework folder. Put completed homework in this folder so you’ll have it handy when you come to class.
Notes and classwork. This is for anything we do in class. You can put problem sets and worksheets here. Use the paper in this section for warm-ups, scratch paper, etc. You can put some extra lined and graph paper here too.
Class Handouts (optional). Some students find it useful to have a separate folder for the printed hand-outs given out in class. If you don’t have this section, put them in “classwork”.
Strategies. This section is to record strategies that help you solve problems. We’ll talk about what to put here in class.
Textbook homework, quizzes, tests. Keep all your homework here, as well as quizzes or tests when they’re handed back.
POTWE. At the beginning of the year you’ll receive a packet with all of the problems of the week for the year.
GSP. When we start with GSP, you’ll put your worksheets in this section.
Extra paper (optional) You may find it convenient to keep this tab stocked with extra lined paper or graph paper.

You’ll use your journal to summarize important information from lessons and record vocabulary.

Here’s how to set up your journal:

Leave the first 10 pages (2 sides of 5 pages) blank. You can use these pages to keep an index of what’s in the journal.
Number the next page “Page 1” and begin using the journal there.
Keep track of important vocabulary beginning at the end of your Journal. We’ll talk about the three-column note format that you can use.

Pencil, eraser (for doing all your work)
Pen (for correcting papers; any color but black)
Binder, with homework and extra paper
Calculator
A ruler for drawing and graphing. A 6” ruler is fine, and you can also get 12” rulers that fit into your binder.