You can make implementing interactive notebooks a breeze with these 8 interactive notebook hacks. Are you just starting out with interactive notebooks? Have you been using interactive notebooks for years, and need some ideas to help streamline their use in your classroom? Read on for interactive notebook tips and ideas that you can start using in your classroom today.
INB Hack #1: Use Interactive Notebook Supply Caddies
Out of all of these interactive notebook hacks, the biggest game changer to my interactive notebook procedure was using supply caddies from the Dollar Tree. These caddies organize scissors, glue, and highlighters. Previously, students had to collect these supplies individually as they entered the classroom. Now, only one student per table needs to grab a caddy, and we are all good to go. I also labeled the caddies and where they belong by table, so students know which caddy to take, and where to return it.
Bonus hack: Any additional supplies that I need to distribute like rulers, compasses, colored pencils, etc. can be added to the caddies. This hack has saved me so much time and energy. I just load up the caddies before class begins.
Interactive Notebook Hack #2: Keep the Title and Page Number on the Board
Do you use page numbers and titles for your pages? This next hack is for you. On my whiteboard, I have a designated spot for students to view the current page title and number. This saves me from having to answer questions about what page we are on throughout the period. This interactive notebook hack also helps remind students to record the page title and number each day.
INB Hack #3: Store Notebooks by Class Period
Where to store notebooks can be a difficult problem to solve. I love using these bins from Target to organize interactive notebooks in my classroom. (Unfortunately, I cannot find the bins online to link.) Whatever solution you come up with, make sure you designate a bin for each class that you teach. Only two of my classes use interactive notebooks, so each class has their own bin. This interactive notebook hack helps students keep track of their notebook because these bins are the first place where students will look.
INB Hack #4: Label the Notebooks
This one is a no-brainer. Like every paper that students touch, we need student names on the notebooks. I use Avery Return Address labels (not an affiliate link), and affix them to the top right corner of every notebook. This uniformity makes it extremely easy to find student notebooks. Before students wrote their own names on their notebooks. They wrote them in the center, on the inside cover, on the back cover, or anywhere else that may have been inconvenient. Since implementing this interactive notebook hack, I save so much time when locating a particular student’s notebook.
Here is what makes this my favorite interactive notebook hack: Since implementing these labels, very few students lose their notebooks. In addition to the student’s name, I include my room number. The label reads, “This notebook belongs to [insert student name here]. If found, please return to room 414.”
You can download this free editable PDF to label your interactive notebooks!
INB Hack #5: Divide Sections with Pocket Pages
Please note that this is by no means the only way to separate sections of an interactive notebook. It just happens to be my preferred method. I love using pocket pages to separate each unit in interactive notebooks. It creates a place for students to store all the different papers they accumulate from exit tickets to homework to quizzes. For a brief tutorial on how to create pocket pages, check out my Interactive Notebook Hacks video.
INB Hack #6: You CAN Use Liquid Glue
Before we get into this one, just know that you can use whatever method you like to secure papers to the notebooks. Some teachers like tape. Some teachers love glue sticks. Between the cost and lack of stickiness, I prefer liquid glue. The key is to train your students to use it correctly.
Firstly, teach students to not glue their notes until the end of the period. Writing on wet paper in pencil does not work out well. I always remind students of this at the beginning of class for the first few days that we use interactive notebooks. Secondly, teach students about what happens when they use glue too close to the edge of the page. Once they press down, glue will seep out. They usually understand this one pretty well. Lastly, teach students to only use dots. Really, they only need one small dot of glue per corner. In fact, if they use too much glue their paper will get stiff and crusty, and their notebook will end up being even thicker by the end of the year.
INB Hack #7: Make Use of Lines
With a little bit of Microsoft Word magic, my students know how to put their foldables together without me having to do a whole demonstration. Think back to elementary school. Every line you had to cut was dotted, and had an image of scissors next to it. When I create my foldables, I make sure that any line that is meant to be cut is dotted. Additionally, I use solid lines to indicate where students are to fold. This saves me so much time, but again, you will have to initially train your students.
INB Hack #8: Use Interactive Notebook Templates
For years now, I have been using the same templates every time I start a new basic interactive notebook page. An 8.5 by 11-inch piece of paper cut in half vertically from a landscape orientation fits perfectly on a composition notebook page, and this is what I use for my first template. I add a dotted line going vertically down the middle. Sometimes I only need one side of the page, and I will precut these pages out before the lesson. When I need both sides of the page, students know to cut the page in half using the dotted line as a guide.
My second template is for when I need three pages. The template is two pages. On the first page, I keep the left side blank, and add information on the right side. I make the line between the two halves solid so that students know not to cut. I add information to both sides of the second page, and then print using the double-sided printing feature. (Make sure you select “flip on the short edge.”) This template creates a little booklet for students to add to their notebooks. So using this template, I get to add three pages, and use only one page in the notebook. This is my favorite interactive notebook hack.
The templates that I use are available for free! You can get them by following this link.
If you use interactive notebooks in your classroom, answer down below: Which hack will you start using in your classroom immediately? Or, what hack do you use that is not listed?
