Math Notebook Organization Part 1

I've been reorganizing (lots or purging)  my old 4th grade stuff.  I can't believe some of the stuff I kept.  I've gotten rid of some stuff. but plan on getting through a lot more as the year goes on.  Some of the homemade worksheets that were given to me by other teachers are complete garbage.

For example, here are my old 4th grade notebooks.

See what I mean?  Remember I taught in a pre-Pinterest era before.  Cuteness was not a priority.  In fact, these were started my first year teaching, which was when I was basically in survival mode.

After looking over my Pinterest "Teaching Organization" board, I decided to get my ugly math notebooks organized, well at least make them prettier.  The organization can happen as the year goes on.  I took 5 of the same white notebooks.  I put a copy of the standards in the back.  Not sure if I'm planning on keeping them there, but for now it works.

To make the notebooks pretty, I used this cardstock paper pack I bought from Hobby Lobby.

I picked one paper and cut it into strips with my paper trimmer to put on the notebooks ends.  Although all the fronts are different papers with coordinating colors, I wanted the ends to all match facing out.  Next, I printed out how each of the standards are organized.  and trimmed it down and glued it to the cardstock strips.

Finally, I cut out cardstock papers for the front and printed off each standard and cut it out.  Then I moved all the stuff from my old notebooks into these.  I literally couldn't turn the pages in my old notebooks.  This is already soooo much nicer.  I can't wait to purge and insert more ideas!

Don't they just beg to be used?  I know just carrying around these notebooks will make lesson planning a bit more fun!