Do you feel on top of your organization at the beginning of the school year? Then all of a sudden you sit back at your desk, look across your room and *Insert scary movie screeching sound* You see the stack. You know what stack I’m talking about. The stack of test papers that have accumulated after giving your first round of assessments. I’m here to tell you that now is the time to implement a simple test paper organization procedure to help save your sanity and spark classroom joy!
What if I told you there is a way for students to turn in their test papers AND put them in order alphabetically at the same time! This simple procedure has been in place in my classroom for nearly four years and it is STILL one of my best organization tips for teachers. This tip works for teachers who run a paperless classroom as well.
The backstory
Where did this procedure come from? One school year I was assigned my dream job of teaching 3 Math classes. I immediately started brainstorming organizational ideas. Over the years following, I taught a few additional subjects but this procedure still worked perfectly.
The supplies
I decided to purchase 3 turn-in baskets, one for each class. Once the baskets were purchased, My OCD side began to kick in and the need for color coordination took over. My cousin and I bought food coloring to dye the clothespins. Can you tell how long ago this was? Ha! It was definitely before I invested in Amazon prime! (My suggestion is to buy the clothespins from Amazon and save your sanity.) Each clothespin is numbered according to the maximum number of students in each class. I also labeled each basket according to the class name. Check out the basket in the first photo to see the complete setup! My baskets were purchased from Big Lots but my partner teacher had the idea to use the three shelf carts from Amazon since the trays fit a sheet of paper!
The procedure
The idea behind this procedure is that students will turn their assignments in while putting them in alphabetical order at the same time. At the beginning of the year, my students are assigned a number based on their order in my roll book. The order that I input their grades in the computer is their numerical order. When a student walks to turn in their paper they are greeted by a small container of highlighters that says “STOP! Do you have your name written on your paper? Highlight your name before turning in your assignment.” This reminds students to write their name if they have not done so. After the student highlights their name they then find their numbered clothespin and clip it to their assignment. From there, students put their assignments in numerical order based off of what other students have turned in their assignments.
For example: If I am student #14 and I go to turn in my test, I am looking in the basket to see which two numbers already submitted that my number goes in between numerically.
At the end of class, I glance to the basket and see which numbers have not been removed from the basket. This tells me which students are still working or were absent. If a student was absent, I grab a blank test, write their name on it and clip it in order with the assignments submitted. If this is the only assignment that class will turn in for the day or the next few days, I leave all of the assignments in the basket. Doing this allows students that are not finished or that were absent to simply find their test by locating their numbered clothespin.
Let students help!
When I am ready to pick up all of the tests to begin grading I have a student job that is purposed to make this task easier.
That student job entails:
- Ensuring all assignments have highlighted names
- All assignments are in order
- Placing clothespins back on the side of the basket
- Making a neat stack of all assignments
- Placing a binder clip on the stack
- Putting the stack in my “To Grade” drawer of my 10 drawer organizer
- If any assignments were still missing, this student writes that students’ number on a sticky note and place it on top of the stack
This student job is usually completed while my class is packing up for the day and other students are performing their classroom jobs. Students LOVE having a responsibility in the classroom. Allowing them to complete this small task will help make Test Paper Organization easy for you!
The implementation
Like many other important classroom procedures, this routine does take more explanation than just the beginning of school. I often revisit this procedure every test day through the first grading period. I revisit the idea of “number” order often. During the first weeks of school, we practice when turning in back to school paperwork!
Paperless classroom?
I am working on my goal of being paperless! This procedure is still just as vital as it was when I did not have a paperless classroom. My students take their Math assessments on a computer but I stress the importance of doing all of their scratch work on a looseleaf sheet of paper. My students turn in the looseleaf paper that was used on their test for reflecting and conferencing purposes. This procedure makes it very simple to find their paper so we can reflect on any incorrect responses.
Back to school paperwork
This procedure is PERFECT for students to turn in their back to school paperwork! My school has a lot of papers to send home at the beginning of the year. Each student is given a Ziploc bag with the papers that need to be returned. (Why a Ziploc? Many of my students do not have all of their school supplies the first few days AND a Ziploc ensures papers do not fall out!) The students know to return their bag with all forms inside. We practice the same procedure as turning in assignments with these important back to school papers. This is a great way for students to practice this process before beginning assignments.
You are ready to rock test paper organization! I hope this small tip has helped your brain begin moving towards organizing your classroom so you can Spark Classroom Joy!
Below is a link to a short video explaining how I have used this procedure in my classroom!
Check it out here and please excuse the summer hair! You can see more of that classroom here.
