Free Journal Organization Solution

I have my students write in journals several times a week.  I always had a sloppy mess with a stack of journals sitting wherever I could find room.  But, no more!  I came up with a solution that was quick, easy, and FREE!

 

First I found a nice sized empty box.  This one was slated for the garbage, so I feel nice and fuzzy for recycling it!  :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then, I carefully measured the width of the journals and made marks on all four sides.  I first measured one side and marked on both edges and then flipped the box around to measure from the opposite end.  After connecting the marks and taping up the open end, I used an Xacto knife to cut the box into two pieces.

 

 

 

 

Next, I glued and taped the two parts together to form a small set of shelves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, you could just stop here.  But I like to be fancy and creative.  Sometimes it just feels good to get messy, right?!  I used Mod Podge and some paper cut in circles (more about my new circle cutter later) to create this masterpiece:

 

 

 

 

 

 

I use the top shelf for their AR (Accelerated Reader) folders and the bottom for their journals.  What fun!

This entry was written by mrsjoyhall, posted on February 28, 2012 at 1:22 pm, and filed under journals, Reading and tagged , , .

8 Comments

  1. Kaylee's Education Studio
    Posted March 1, 2012 at 3:55 pm | Permalink

    That is a great idea, and it could be used for many different organizational needs.

  2. Ann Marie Smith
    Posted March 2, 2012 at 11:57 pm | Permalink

    Very Cool!! I will just have to do this!! :) Thanks!
    Ann Marie of Innovative Connections

  3. Andrea McEvoy
    Posted March 4, 2012 at 7:16 pm | Permalink

    Hey I just awarded you the Lovely Blog Award!!! Come on over to my blog to receive it! http://oneteacherstake.blogspot.com
    See you soon! Andrea …awesome idea!!!

  4. Amy Marshall
    Posted March 4, 2012 at 7:47 pm | Permalink

    Great idea! Thanks for sharing

  5. Jeannie Partin
    Posted March 5, 2012 at 7:19 pm | Permalink

    Hey Joy!

    I just wanted you to know that I featured your super cool box shelf idea on my blog for “Management Monday”. I love this idea!

    Here is a link:
    http://kindergartenlifestyle.blogspot.com/2012/03/management-monday.html

  6. MrsH
    Posted March 12, 2012 at 8:44 pm | Permalink

    I wonder if you would share how you use the Accelerated Reader folders? We do AR in our school, but I don’t know about the folders. Thanks!

  7. mrsjoyhall
    Posted March 13, 2012 at 7:56 am | Permalink

    MrsH -
    I give each student their own folder. They have their username and password on the inside, along with their reading “range”. My students know they are to choose books that fall in their range. As they complete quizzes, they can print out the results and add them to the folder. It has made organizing Accelerated Reader so much easier! Thanks for asking!
    Joy :)

  8. Edison
    Posted February 15, 2013 at 12:40 pm | Permalink

    Hello, I just dropped by to look at this blog.
    It appears really interesting and I liked viewing it, thanks for the
    great information!

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