Interactive Notebook For Computer Applications Class...FINALLY!

I have been searching and searching. I am convinced their are no interactive notebooks for computer class. Why? I considered how most computer classes are structured in the elementary setting and how I structure my class. My school is a private school. I am the only computer and teachnology teacher on staff; I am my own department. Being able to teach outside the box and be creative and provide enrichment all come with the territory. Our classes operate like a typical middle school, even for our 3 year olds. They travel class to class throughout the day. Each class has a teacher who is highly qulified, highly specialize and therefore highly motivate to teach each subject area. One teacher for math, another for language arts, another for science, another for art, another for computers, etc. ( They have one Group Leader Teacher who travels with them as a class) Our classes also all last one 40 minute period. Yes, I have three year olds for a 40 minute block once a week. Our oldest students( 2nd to 5th) run on a different schedule (because what's life without whimsy? Or driving Miss Alyssa crazy trying to figure out what period it is?) and they run on 55-60 minute periods. I teach my Upper School Students ( 2-5th) more like a middle school class. They take notes, work on worksheets, listen to lecture, complete assignments over the course of several classes etc. I wanted a way to keep track of all their papers more efficently. Folders worked but they fell apart by the end of the year and that's if the students remembered to bring them to class at all. I faced my enemy...the folder...and vowed to end it's tyrannous reign in my class. I also vowed I'd never waste another class period for unprepared students. My soultion...interactive notebooks.

I started by scouring pintrest ( all hail the pinterest gods!). I saw a few good examples, read a few good tips and had the overall concept in my mind. Now I had to apply it to computers. I read all about the great sprial notebook versus marble notebook debate and decided to give binders a try. Pages could easily be removed, added or moved/reordered. The binder would be sturdy enough to protect it's contents. I planned to keep them in my room and NOT send them home. They had homework each week but the binders were not a nescessary part of them. I also wanted a place that was a reference guide, a HOW TO book they create. I wanted a place to keep the work they finished, their worksheets... I wanted it all! My dilemma came when what size binder to buy. Yes, buy. We supply ALL schools supplies to our students. They bring NOTHING from home. The Dollar Store has 1 inch binders for $1.00. I wanted to try the notebook/binder before going crazy with the younger ones so I planned on purchasing for about 45 students. I looked at the paper capacity and felt a knot form in my stomach. They would need 1.5 to 2 inch binders, and the cheapest I had found them was around $2-$3 per piece. I then reconsidered a notebook for what must have been five seconds and decided to get the 1 inch binder and cross my fingers. It would save time if I handed out each unit as we go through and have them add them in. I also had zipper pencil cases that I use for my classes filled with basic supplies: scissors, glue, crayons, pencil, eraser, highlighter etc. I bought the cases at the dollar store. $12.00 plus supplies. I included an extra pencil and eraser so they can be shared between two children when the classes exceeded the pencil case number.

I started over the summer with my creation, working on it sporadically among other things on planning days. I made a master binder with 1 of each sheet as well as the extra interactive pieces. Then I got hanging file folders and put them in my crate (i had one lying around). I labeled each folder by page...cover pages-0, table of contents - 1,2, Procedures- 3-5,

I then put copies of each page into the folders. The idea behind the folders is:

1. organization- A KEY point in establishing your system

2. If a student is missing a page, or absent, you (or the student if their old enough) can easily grab what they need, all in one place.

3. Store copies and see what needs to be copied (what folders are empty)

4. I can plan, rearrange, move pages if needed. Say I planned my first three units and realize I want to add a page to unit two, I can simply add a folder where it goes into the box.

I decided to make the pages double sided purely to save on paper.

One tip I read that seemed like a great idea was teaching the students to 'Cut Corners'. ( Hee Hee Hee). The idea here is to cut the corner of the page once it's entered into the binder, or you would cut the corner of the notebook page you are working on, so when they look for a new page, they just go to that corner and volia! Next page, right there.

The other tip, which seemed like common sense to me, is to include a table of conents and number the pages. One suggetion was to have the kids number the pages as they are entered and then write the lesson and pages in the table of contents. I started number the pages and typing them into the table of contents I will give my students. I want them to know where to find the important information in the beginning and I want them to see how I want later entries to be done on the table.

Each lesson starst with ' WHATS THE BIG IDEA?'. This is your objective, goal, purpose etc. What is your lesson going to cover, why is it important etc. And then there is space for Details or student notes ( output) Then the following pages have either activites on them, or space for interactive notes, or assignments. I will cover one unit per class. If they finish early they can go back and work on incomplete worksheets, assignments.

In case papers fall out, I have them inital the bottom with their class acroymn and the date on one side.

A Typical day would start with me assigning a warm up activity while I am handing out the binders, handing out the insert pages ( pre hole punched) and then the additional pieces. Also handing out the incentive tickets and any of their work that I have printed out that needs to be added to their binders. I usually try to collate them together to save time. They put the inserts into their book. Each interactive activity has assembly instructions on the back. They then cut the corners on each page ( I have a line on the page) and they CUT OUT ( NO GLUE) the interactive pieces. Carefully they throw the scraps out. Then our lesson starts. They open to the new page and I introduce the new topic. We cover the Big Idea and they write down the details as we talk and I explain whatever it is we are doing. We work through the interactive pieces (giving directions how to glue them in with TEENY TINY GLUE DOTS, glue dots shouldn't have shadows!). I explain the work sheets and the assignement. They spend a few minutes working in their binder before we move to the computer assignment portion. This give slower students a chance to catch up if they didnt finish gluing and makes sure they get a chance to do the supplement activities before getting wrapped up in the computer. If they finish early they go back and work on other asisgnments or there is a list of what they can do when they're done in their binder. Since we start a new topic each class, every 5 or so classes I schedule a catch up day, usually durin our incentive reward ticket shopping day. If you are caught up you can do one of the items on the 'When I'm Done I Can...' list or they are allowded to type and log minutes towards that weeks homework assignment.

Sample pages and Templates Are On The Way...Stay Tuned!!!!!

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Elementary Techie

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