Reading Portfolio - Organizing Reading Materials in an Intermediate Classroom

Looking for an organizational alternative for your "Reading Binders"? Upon taking a new position this school year, I knew my traditional reading binders were not going to work due to changing classes with two groups of students. Binders were difficult to keep organized even having one group of students throughout the day. I was so excited when another teacher shared this organizational strategy with me...so I decided to pass it on! These are 5 pocket portfolios that can be purchased for $1 in the dollar section at Target right around back to school time. 

They have a great elastic clasp that can easily be reinserted if it comes off. The plastic tabs also pop right back on. Overall they are very durable. I store each class set in a crate. Students pass them out and collect them at the beginning and end of class. This means that nothing is ever lost or forgotten! Well...for the most part. ;) 

 I have the front part saved for read to self books, word study sorts (in a plastic baggie) and any guided reading written responses.

The first tab is for "Logs". This includes reading log, books I plan to read list, and goal sheet.
Get Reader's Notebook pages on Scholastic Website here!

The second section is for "Lessons". The students have a packet of our school's unit curriculum. They tear off pages as we use them. This saves time passing out papers each class. 

The next section is for "Literature Circles" (LC). The students store their book, literature response book (From Really Good Stuff), and any literature circle response activities/discussion questions.
Click here to view my Literature Circle Bundle on TPT!
Get a sample of my Literature Circle Response Packets that engage students in thinking beyond the text.

Finally, the last section is for their "Reader's Response Journal" or RRJ. This is what we use to practice responding to reading. It also is a fun activity for students to complete with any book.
Click here to get the RRJ on my TPT page! :)

Say goodbye to desk clutter, lost papers, and missing word work. This is one of the best organization strategies I've discovered! And SUPER affordable on a teacher's budget!