Legacy HS 9th Grade Binder
"With organization comes empowerment." L. Peterson
The "WHY" Behind the 9th Grade Binder Initiative
So. We decided to do something about it. We devised a "One Binder" plan to require every student to maintain a binder for their 9th grade year to teach them how to organize themselves for learning.
This school year will be the 3rd year that we've held students accountable for keeping the "One Binder" to promote organization and the use of a planner for their own success. We have seen incredible changes over the past few years. More work gets turned in. Students earn fewer zeroes than in previous years. And, the skills they learn as a 9th grader stay with them throughout their high school career.
Bronco Binder Essentials Are...
2 or 3 inch Binder with pocket inserts
Legacy Planner
Zipper pouch to store supplies
"A place for everything and everything in its place." - Benjamin Franklin
General Binder Organization
- 7-8 colored dividers with tabs
- two or more pens
- two or more pencils
- filler paper
- Legacy planner
- erasers
- highlighters
- zipper pouch
Binder FAQs
What should be kept in the binder?
Students should keep all notes and work for each academic class in the appropriately labeled binder section. Additionally, students will be expected to write in their planners daily to record upcoming test dates, project due dates, etc.
My student takes Geometry as a 9th grader. This teacher also asked for a binder with 8 dividers. What's up with that?
Our binder initiative is for 9th grade classes only. If a 9th grader is taking Geometry (which is normally a 10th grade class), then that teacher may have asked for a separate binder also. BUT, for a 9th grader taking all 9th grade courses - they should be using the ONE binder described above.
What if my teacher asks my student to bring a 2nd binder to class? What's that for?
Our Algebra I teachers have asked students to bring a small binder or folder to keep in the classroom as a GRADE TRACKER. Students will chart their major assessment results on a graph and keep that graph (along with graded papers, tests) inside the classroom binder/folder.
My student has her own organization system. She uses 2 binders - 1 for A day and 1 for B day. Is this ok?
This system is not recommended. Students forget important papers in "the other binder" quite often. And, sometimes they decide that they want to work on homework from another class day during down time. If the work is at home in another binder, then they miss an opportunity to get ahead of the game by completing work early. Please visit with your student's individual teachers for other questions about alternative binder organization.
Will this "one Binder" initiative continue on in 10th grade?
No. Our goal is to equip our students with the tools to be successful in school during the 9th grade year. After that year is completed, we believe that our students will have created a system for themselves to use throughout their time at Legacy.