Setting Up Your Student CCSS Data Binders

Charity Preston May 30 Teaching Tips

I know data binders are really in right now, and I have always found them to be a great student motivator. Since they are personalized for the child, you can really sit with each student to discuss what he or she excels in - and which that he or she could be working on. Perfect for showing parents student progress as well!

I have traditionally used basic data graphs to show student performance in various subjects, which I then used in my student led parent conferences. {If you are interested in those data binder forms or my Complete Guide to Student Led Conferences product, you can find those HERE.}

With the Common Core State Standards being so readily adopted by many districts across the US, I thought of a way to incorporate my Common Core Standards Lesson Planning Packs with a data binder in order to hit all the bases at once! I have a few pictures, so that if you already have your materials, you can set up your own as well!

First, grab a two-pocket folder with brads, and some baggies. The baggies can be any size, but the name brand will hold up better than the store brand in this instance.

On your baggie, use some duct tape (in this case, thick patterned duct tape will be better than the decorative packing tape I typically use) and line it across the bottom edge of the baggie. You could also run it up either side, depending on your preference. I wanted to keep mine a little more simple. Then, print out your labels for your baggie on labels and place the labels right onto your baggie {mine were from the customizable book basket labels from the Black and White Classroom Essentials Set}.

Make sure to hole punch your baggie. The duct tape will make it super hard for it to rip. Add the Common Core skill ring cards and an o-ring (in case of a rip or a dump out, all the cards will be held safely on the ring) to the bag as the students earn them. Mine shown in the picture are from the Black and White Theme Common Core Lesson Planning Packs, but there are also several other themes to choose from if you prefer something different.

Print off the I Can Student Checklist standards, hole punch, and place in the brads. Put your baggie behind or in front of the standards.

Last, as students show mastery of the standards, they will be able to add more skill ring cards to their ring inside their baggie, and highlight the standards. Both will be very visual for showing students AND parents which standards have been learned, and which they still need to work on. Perfect for students to really see the "WHY" they are in school part - and to remind them occasionally how much they really have learned throughout the course of a year. One last idea is o use a different colored highlighter for each marking period so that the visual is even more distinct!

Enjoy putting your CCSS Data Binders together and I look forward to hearing how they go starting in the fall for many of you!

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