Effective communication between school and home is crucial for student success. Using take-home folders is one powerful way to make this happen. Use this guide to learn everything you need to know about what take-home folders are, why you need them, and how to create and use them effectively in your elementary classroom this year!
Why Use Take-Home Folders?
The benefits of using take-home folders are 3-fold:
- Increased organization
- Greater communication
- Equitable resources
Increased Organization
Let’s face it, kids (and adults) need help with organization! Providing a tangible and reliable place for students to carry important papers greatly decreases your chances of misplaced or lost papers.
Essentially, take-home folders are a key organizational tool for elementary classrooms!
Greater Communication
Take-home folders also allow you to communicate with families more frequently. Parents who are informed about their child’s progress and school events are more likely to be involved in their child’s education and supportive of your classroom and the school.
Equitable Resources
Take-home folders also ensure all students have access to essential learning tools like number charts and the alphabet.
Take-home folders help level the playing field for students who may have fewer options than others. When everyone has equitable resources, greater learning can happen at home!
How to Make Take-Home Folders for You Students
Creating take-home folders doesn’t have to be confusing or time-consuming. Follow these steps to ensure your folders have everything your students (and their parents) will need for a great year:
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1. Choose the Folders
First, choose your favorite type of folder. Consider which will best meet the needs of your students and your materials.
Options include:
- 3-prong plastic folders with a clear front pocket
- 3-prong plastic folders
- Paper folders that you laminate for durability
Make sure you have enough folders for all your students to have one, plus a few extra— for the times when a folder needs to be replaced or when a new student is added to your class.
2. Personalize the Folders
Next, begin the fun part!
Personalize each folder by adding student names, log-in information for school websites and tools, school contact information, and ways to contact you.
You can easily do this using the editable covers and labels in the Take Home Folders Resource!
3. Prepare Materials
After you’ve done the personalization, print essential pages and stickers that you’ll include in the folders.
All of these pages and labels are included in the Take Home Folders Resource:
- Folder cover options
- Math reference sheets
- Literacy tool pages
- Log in information pages
- Digital literacy & math pages
- Folder labels (to print on mailing labels and stick to different sides of the folder)
4. Assemble the Folders!
Now, you’re ready to put your folders together!
Assemble your students’ take-home folders by adding the printed pages and other important pages and forms. Be sure to include this FREE Back to School Parent Survey and a Fridge Friend too!
The parent survey is a great way to gather important information about each student like unique needs, preferences, and any specific challenges they might face. Tapping into this is invaluable as you tailor instruction and support for your students and create an inclusive and positive learning environment!
The Fridge Friend is a customizable resource for parents to keep at home. It includes all the essential information found in their child’s folder on one easy reference page:
- student login information
- learning tools
- teacher information
- and more!
*Find the Fridge Friend in the Student Supply Bundle too.
Bonus Tips to Make Using Take-Home Folders Successful
Finally, implement these BONUS TIPS to take your take-home folders to the next level!
Incorporate Take-Home Folders into the Morning Routine
Designate a special basket or bin for students to place their folders in each morning as they arrive in your classroom and unpack their backpacks.
Make this step an expected part of the morning routine to contribute to better classroom management!
Organize the Folders
After all students have put their take-home folders in the designated basket, have one student put them in alphabetical or number order and check to see if any are missing.
This student can be one you choose because they are on task and waiting quietly or they can be the one who is your weekly classroom helper. Decide what works best for you and your classroom routines.
This special job will be one that students are excited to do— and they won’t even realize they’re working on important skills like letter recognition, memorization, organization, and sequencing while they’re at it!
Check the Folders
While students are working on morning tubs or doing some independent reading, take a few moments to check the take-home folders. Gather signed forms, read and respond to parent notes, and put completed assignments in your designated spot for “papers to be graded”.
This additional step will help your day run so much more smoothly and organized!
Fill the Folders
Finally, stuff the take-home folders BEFORE you return them to students at the end of the day. This step ensures important papers make it inside the folders nicely and are on the correct side of the folder (KEEP or RETURN).
Don’t hesitate to outsource this step to your paraprofessional, student teacher, or intern if you have one!
Using take-home folders is a simple yet effective way to improve student organization and parent communication while providing equitable resources to all students. The time you spend personalizing and organizing these folders will be nothing compared to the great ways students and families feel supported by seeing the effort you took to have a successful year from day 1!
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