I think it might be essential that all teachers keep an idea notebook. I will just be going about my day then suddenly come up with an idea for a lesson or cool project. Of course, I have to write it down immediately--because If I don't, I will most definitely forget about it later! I even have a notebook on my bedside table for ideas that come to me in the middle of the night! My problem is, I have about 5 or 6 idea notebooks, so when I go to look for the idea I have written down, I can't remember which notebook I used. I love my notebooks, but there has to be an easier way! Any teachers out there with a good solution?
An example of the craziness inside:
It may look wild to you, but it makes perfect sense to me!
5 comments:
I do the same thing! I kept writing notes in journals, then had trouble organizing and finding the ideas later when I needed them. So now, I still write my notes in a perforated journal, but I tear out the pages when I get back from the workshp,conference,etc, and place in a 3 ring binder called, "Ideas Galore". I placed several tabs in the binder such as:
1. LA Ideas/Literacy Stations
2. Math Ideas/Math Workshop
3. Science Ideas
4. SS/Citizenship Ideas
5. Behavior Management/Grading
6. Technology/Websites
7. Parents/Community/Volunteers
8. Just For Fun/Misc.
You can create as many as tabs as you need.
If I have an idea that will fit in several areas, I just make a copy of my notes, or sometimes, I place a sheet of paper in the section and say, "see LA, page 3".
I always number my pages as I place them in each tabbed section along with date and the workshop, conference or website where I got the original idea.
I highlight or place a Post-it flag by the ideas that I must try or share with others!
Good luck,
Beth
Thank you so much Beth! I love this idea!!! It is very organized, and I think it will be a great solution to my many notebooks! :)
Wow Beth - You rock! I just have one notebook and LOTS of post-it notes. I always have my notebook at school and I bring it home every night. I also have post-its on my desk and on my nightstand next to my bed. I'm infamous for having "my notebook" and when I walked into school for the first teacher workday last week, I pulled out my pink composition notebook and my TA laughed & said, "So is that your notebook for this year?" Hehe!
I love this idea! I actually started my own idea notebook--we should compare doodles :D
http://frogsandcupcakes.blogspot.com/
Do you have an iphone or a smart phone? There is a "ap" that comes with these phones called a note pad or memo pad . You can input your ideas there and save the memo for when you need to look back at it. You know we always have our phone with us! ;)
~Gina
beaniesdailyblog.blogspot.com
Post a Comment