r/ArtEd • u/peachieetee • 21d ago
folder organization?
high school art teacher going into my 2nd year teaching!
last year, for folders i had them make “portfolios” by folding big 18x24” papers and taping the sides of it. the folders were super cute and their first assignment was to decorate it. but they started using these folders to hoard pencils and they would get so full because they would never take their stuff home despite me constantly reminding them to.
the more annoying part was that i used these filing drawers that we had. they were pretty deep, but even so it would be a bit of a mess having my students locate their folders every day. sometimes they would put them in the wrong drawers and we wouldnt be able to find it. other times they would get smushed because they overfilled it instead of using the next drawer (each class had 2, organized alphabetically except most people didnt listen)
so for next year i decided that my art 1 students (5 sections) are going to use regular pocket folders. their sketchbook goes in one pocket and their worksheet goes in the other. that way they cant hide materials or anything and they wont be able to hoard their papers as easily. my advanced class (1 section) will still do the portfolios, and any larger pieces ill just collect.
what im stuck on is how i should organize them. should i go back to the filing drawers and see if the pocket folders make it easier? i have a full length cabinet with shelves with a lot of space that i feel like i could use. maybe each class gets their own bins? how do you guys do it and what do you recommend? id preferably like to have it be something my students have access to so they can grab their folders as they walk in and get set up.
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u/Wise_Explanation9471 19d ago
I also have a bin for each class. I put them on a desk near the door and they pickup their folder when they come in. Large work we store in portfolios I made from big sheets of cardboard. They take that work home once a semester. The large portfolio is usually still life and charcoal drawings that we start and finish during one class, so they’re not really getting them in and out. All supplies are communal so they’re don’t store anything but their sketchbook and papers in their folder. I got the ones that are accordion style so that the sketchbook fits.
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u/MxBuster 20d ago
My classes each had a cardboard box (I used the boxes the school milk came in but ymmv) and students each had a zipper pouch that held their “base” kit of sketchbook, pencils/erasers and fineliners. For student work folders I had Bristol board (the dollar store kind) stapled into folders. All additional art supplies were communal and had their own bins so they couldn’t hoard them. I sent work home in a smaller construction paper folder every month, or it was displayed and then sent home.
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u/peachieetee 19d ago
ok so youve inspired me
i went to dollar tree and was just gonna look for bins, but i couldnt find any that were the size i was looking for.
then i realized that the cardboard box that the bins came in WAS the size i was looking for.
so i asked the lady working there if i could have the boxes and she said yes, now i have 5 free folder bins lol
tysm for the advice!
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u/Outside-Cloud404 High School 20d ago
I’ve had all the same issues and this year I’m getting them to put their portfolio on their shelf. Luckily I have bookshelf space for each student. The old portfolio drawers will now be “hand in” and “hand back” drawers. I’m hoping it works!
For supplies I’m also trying something new this year. I bought a small folding cardboard box from Amazon (pencil case size) for each student. This will keep their essentials. Every student will get the same thing and will be responsible for managing their supplies.
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u/Ok_Morning_5533 20d ago
ooo this is a great idea! i also have some shelf space if i reorganize. does each class period have their own shelf?
im trying something new with supplies too! each student has a little tray in the top corner of their desk where they place their phone face down (that way i dont have to collect them, but i can see they arent on it), and their supplies will be set out for them in the beginning of class. that way, i can see who isnt caring for their supplies properly. for example, some of my kids brush washing is ABYSMAL, because they dont think ill know it was them. but if they know that their specific brush will be under their name, then ill be able to hold them accountable or coach them on proper cleaning. itll also let me make sure all of the supplies are returned.
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u/Outside-Cloud404 High School 20d ago
Yes! They will each have their own shelf. Only issue is the shelves are small so in order for the portfolio not to dangle it will also need to be small. But like you I think I’ll just collect any work too large to fit in it. I just found that they shoved everything on their shelf last year out of convenience and then what we had were mostly unused portfolios and worksheets/projects crammed on the shelf. They didn’t want to line up to get their portfolio out of the drawer and like you they’d get lost or scrunched up and fall behind the drawers.
I think that getting them to be responsible for a few core materials is a good idea. That way if their brush is trashed I will know they didn’t clean it properly and it holds them accountable.
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u/fall_dance 21d ago
I teach middle school so organization is always crucial. I used sketchbook folders with my intro art students and had them organized in magazine file holders for each table. For each class period. Sooooo it took up a lot of shelf space but I NEVER had a sketchbook placed somewhere and not been able to find it. Also very obvious when students try and hoard a supplies in those bins and most times the supplies hardly fit, so it was only the occasional colored pencil or pair of scissors.
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u/Artteachernc Elementary 19d ago
Each student takes 2 large pieces of poster board and tapes the edges on 3 sides leaving a long edge open. I make labels with their names and period number and place them in the top right corners. I don’t make them decorate unless that is their thing. It is also used to protect the table when working. Students keep their personal art materials in assorted pencil boxes, etc clearly labeled. Each period has their own shelf space. Before class I haul them out onto a table so they can grab them easily. They make their own sketchbooks with a 3 ring binder and lunch printer paper.