Does this seem a little like binder overkill? It’s not! I will tell you why-
I don’t have lovely storage areas all over my home, and I have a lot of things to keep track of. As much as I love the compactness of a spiral notebook, I change my mind about what I want in a binder too much to make the spiral commitment right now. In the end, I realized I needed way more than one binder to keep all of the things organized in my life right now.
Feel like a tour?
This is a binder just for me. It keeps track of all of the things I have going on.
The next binder is my Bible binder. I have it broken up like this-
I use it in the mornings during my study time, and I take it to every church service. I like to keep sermons in order by date, and I have “Sunday” and “Wednesday”” labeled to keep up with adult Bible classes.
This one is hard to see the tabs, so I will just write them here-
Photography, Field Trip Wish List, Homeschool Ideas, Crafts, Home Ideas, Articles, One Day, and Gift Ideas. This binder is basically my Pinterest on paper.
My homeschool brain is home to all of the records that I keep loose for each individual. My planner is a separate entity.
I hold my grading scale, calendars, and such.
Attendance & Grades
There is also Resource Logs, Bible,
History and Science helps, Scope and Sequence, and High School Planning.
KY Records
The last one is my recipe binder, for the recipes that I print off, fold up, and never see again.
Now that you have seen them, hopefully you don’t think I am binder crazy. I am just trying to tame the huge paper monster around here!
What about you? Do you have more than one binder in your arsenal?
Husband would die if I had that many binders. Of course, I should. :)
I live off Evernote – the online binder. If it isn’t an eCopy, I make it one by scanning or taking a picture of it.
But I still do things on paper. Weird.
I have tried to do the online thing, but it just isn’t in me. ;)
I get so frustrated not having it all out in front of me. With everyone else going digital I thought I was the only one who just couldn’t do it. I have a binder for everything, but just haven’t been able to organize them properly. Thank you Sam for helping those of us who love binders. I’ve found your posts to be extremely helpful, and they are creating a less stressful life for me. Please keep posting on changes, updates, resources, how-to’s, and anything else you can think of about binders.
Blessings!!!
Glad I’m not the only one too!
I have sooo many binders. Our curriculum is held in 4 binders, plus I have my Daily Binder, each child has a binder (or two). I have a blog binder, a Bible study binder (for the kids), a Pre-K binder, a Homemaking binder (with challenging/inspiring articles from blogs).
I’m sure I’m missing something!! High five for binder junkies! :)
I have posted my student binders so many times I didn’t even include them. I will have a part two post with other info maybe tomorrow. :)
Would love to know the source of your attendance record and definitions of character qualities print-outs! I love to be organized. I can see myself making tons of binders but not using them (I do have a recipe binder and homeschool binder I use.) I have three calendars (3-mo dry erase, school organizer and in my purse) and can’t seem to find one that I use consistantly — if we didn’t live in a cell phone dead zone, I would so use a program like Outlook to keep everything organized in one place. Do you keep all your binders in the school room and just maintain them while the kids are working?
I will make a part two post with all of that info by the end of the week. :)
i have two binders and three notebooks. one binder is for recipes and meal planning, the other is my “noggin”. LOL. the notebook sare easier to travel with, and have specific functions…one for a huge project coming in march, the other i take meeting notes in once a month, and do all my planning for that group in them.
Glad you have a system that works!
I love the character building chart. I am really trying to incorporate more of this into our studies. In my opinion, this is just as important as academics.
I agree 100%.
Love it. I have several too. Currently trying to revamp my household notebook.
Fun!
I have one binder for homeschool for records. The rest I do digitally, mostly on Evernote.
I like paper, so digital would never work for me. :D
Great idea! I may have to incorporate some of this into my life!
Binders are fun!
I love those roundish tabs in your school binder. I’m kinda a school supply nerd. I get a bit over-excited in the school supply aisle at the store. LOL
Me too!
Oh my gosh, I thought it was just me!! I’m 24, going on 25 and I STILL love the school supply section of the store. Guess it’s the writer in me but I love it! Always the first aisles I hit up when we go shopping.
I have quite a few binders on the go as well…the problem is they aren’t organized very well. :P
That is why I am here. :D
I love ‘em. As a matter of fact, I just reviewed Apologia’s Ultimate Homeschool Planner, which is spiralbound — and I cut it up to put in my binder. I love every page out of it, but like you, NEED that freeom to insert and move things around.
Thanks for letting us tour the 3-Ring Circus, I mean binders :)
I reviewed that one as well, and am now using it every day. I left it spiral bound though. ;)
Do you like the Ultimate Homeschool Planner better then the Well Planned Day? I have the Ultimate and havent started using it yet because it took awhile to come out. I like how it is a lot more durable
I do. I like that it is more sturdy as well. :)
Oh my….I am a lover of binders, as well! :)
Works for me! I’ve been trying to put together a Home Management binder…you’ve got some great ideas here!
Thanks!
I love it! I am a self proclaimed Binder Queen. I am in spired by your printed tabs…..mine are handwritten…..now I must update and refine!
Yes, you must!
All I can say is – me too, Sam! Except my binders are not as excellent as yours. I could NOT live w/out my homeschool binder.
*blush* thanks!
whew! I love your binders, and we are binder CRAZY, too. We notebook for almost every subject, so right there that’s a lot of binders. But then I have them for recipes, ideas, kids activities — you name it! I loved this post, Sam!!
Yay for crazy!
WOW!!! I love this. Thanks for this great post. This gives me some really great ideas and just starting out I certianly need them! I also love the binders. The look so nice. I can see those in our homeschool future!
Thanks! I also posted about some questions readers had about them here: http://www.samsnoggin.com/2011/10/binder-crazy-q.html
I just found your site today and love the ideas and peek into your binders. This is my first year homeschooling and I have found that I am not as organized as I thought I was. I also live in Ky.
Homeschooling stretches the bounds of organization for sure! Waving hi from KY!
I just found your site today and love the ideas and peek into your binders. This is my first year homeschooling and I have found that I am not as organized as i thought I was. I also live in Ky.