Nothing is more frustrating than searching around for all those important
pieces of information, both as a parent and a teacher. The HORSE binder
system has been used by hundreds of teachers across the country. It helps
the student with organizational skills and increases communication between
home and school.
- What is a HORSE binder?
- What do I need to purchase for the HORSE binder?
- How is the HORSE binder organized?
- Does the HORSE binder travel to and from school each day?
- What if my child is missing important pieces of information?
- What should my child be doing with his/her assignment book?
- What if I think the binder is too heavy?
- Should I take the weekly spelling list out of the binder?
What is a HORSE binder?
HORSE binders are a way to organize all of the things that your
child will need between home and school.
What do I need to purchase for the HORSE binder?
For the 2010-11 school year, you will need the following
materials.
3-ring white binder, with a clear cover and spine.
1 Zipper pouch
5 Double pocket, in-sertable, plastic dividers. I have found
Avery #81824 to be the best. Or, I have dividers that can be used
just as easy.
How is the HORSE binder organized?
The Front Pocket: This is the sections for important papers
going home from school. These papers will keep you up to date on
all the important news and events that are happening at Hardy
Elementary School.
Zipper Pouch: This pouch is for money and important notes that
are coming
to school. This a wonderful place for students to place their
lunch money
or book order forms.
The first clear sleeve: Each week the students will be receiving
a new homework sheet and all the necessary papers that go along
with the sheet.
Second clear sleeve: In the second clear sleeve you will find a
class roster. This can be used for sending out birthday
invitations, Valentine's Day cards, etc....
Third clear Sleeve: You will find a reading log in the third
clear sleeve. Please keep a record of all of the books your child
reads at home.
Fourth clear sleeve: This sleeve contains the third grade "no
excuse" word list and your child's spelling list. Any additional
word study material will also be placed in this sleeve.
Fifth clear sleeve: This sleeve holds the monthly lunch
calendar. Please be aware that the lunch menu may change without
notice. Your child will be given a lunch account number at the
beginning of the year. Until they memorize the number it is a
good idea to place a copy of the number in the sleeve.
Sixth sleeve: Our classroom newsletter
Seventh sleeve: Super Work! This sleeve is the section that
students will place their work after I have checked it. Please
clean out this section each night. If for some reason your child
is having a difficult time with a piece of work, I will ask that
your child redo it at home and return it with a parent's
signature.
Finally, each child will be given a student planner. Since this
is the first time the children have been exposed to such an
organizational tool we will use it to write down what we did
during the day. It is your child's responsibility to maintain
their planner. Each page has a spot for parent and teacher
communication. If you wish to write me a note please have your
son or daughter bring it to my attention at the beginning of the
day.If for any reason you have a question or a concern about your
son or daughter's academic or emotional progress please
bring it to my attention as soon as possible. If we need to
implement a daily correspondence the daily planner will be our
way of communicating.
Does the HORSE binder travel to and from school each day?
Yes! This will insure good organization and communication
between home and school.
What if my child is missing important pieces of information?
Your child should check their mailbox at school every afternoon.
If for some reason they misplace their weekly homework sheet,
they can ask for an additional copy or go to this website to find
the information needed.
What should my child be doing with his/her assignment book?
Every year the school provides an assignment book for each
student. These assignment books can be kept inside of the PIRATE
binder and travel to and from school with the child. Students
are encouraged to fill in their work that was not completed in
school and needs to be finished at home, important test dates, up
and coming project due dates, and any other information that they
need reminding of. I would encourage parents to check
the assignment book nightly. If there are any questions or
comments that you would like to send me, there is a space at the
bottom for parent/teacher communication. Assignment books are
not checked daily by the teacher. This is your child's first
experience with using a planner, and I would encourage
you to spend a moment with your child reflecting on the important
happenings of the day. You may also find that this is a helpful
homework tool, due to the fact that it has maps and other
academic essentials. If for some reason there is an academic or
behavioral issue we are working through, the assignment book is
often the best place to have parent/teacher correspondence.
What if I think the binder is too heavy?
Many parents have worried that the MONKEY binder is too heavy for
their child to carry to and from school. I have reduced the size
of the binder to 1" in order to make it more streamlined. Let me
know if you are concerned about the weight of the binder.
Should I take the weekly spelling list out of the binder?
NO!!! Please, please, please leave the weekly spelling list in
the spelling section. If you would like your son/daughter to
practice their words daily, that is terrific. However, have them
place the list back in it's pocket for school the next day. We
will be using the spelling list every day in school and your
child needs to have them available for use in class.
