If you are like me, no matter how larger or small the classroom is…it’s never big enough! I find myself longing for more wall space for more pocket charts, interactive walls, etc.  This is why I began to use portable chart stands made from 3 ring binders a few years ago.  Why do I love them?

1.  You can set them up in a flash!

2.  They can be reloaded easily as the year 

     progresses.

3.  Did I say you can set up in a flash??? 🙂

I use two types the most.  The first one is for my Math station rotation.  I have it set up with four

station types:

     1.  Work with the Teacher

     2.  Learn with Friends (games)

     3.  Math Journal

     4.  Math Tub Centers 

Math Groups are numbered, so each day I just rotate the numbers to the next station, have the kids to check in, then choose tubs, grab journals, or pick 3 other people to play a game.  This is how I work stations all year long.  Tubs are reloaded with new

seasonal (or more difficult) tasks as the year progresses.  Students know how to mark their spot in their journals so they find the next page and get started.  Students who meet with me will meet the entire station time.  This is separate from our whole group math instruction.  It works, and I can keep the portable stand near where I work to help me remember where to find students.  Here is a pic of the setup for the math portable (notice I have it standing like an open book.  (not like a tent)

 

My other favorite portables are the ones I use with each table group/2 portables per group.  I plan to have them loaded with our alphabet chart and numbers to 10 until December.

 Then I’ll reload with the alphabetical word wall and numbers to 20 (picture shows another option of alphabet chart and alphabetical word wall). 

By December, most students know the alphabet chart letters and sounds, however for those who need more support, I have them to keep chartlets in their reading tubs (gotta cover the bases).  

Making these portable stands isn’t rocket science.  Just flip the binder inside out, then secure with velcro tape at the bottom (or you can have students to place them on non-slip shelf lining (approximately 6″x12″).  If you use a temporary fastener or a non-slip mat, you can close them for storage at the end of the year.  Yeah, I am already thinking about the end of next year! Students can carry the stand and the non-slip material where they need it if a job requires group work.  For the side of the binder that does not have rings, (if you want the binder to be 2-sided in order for students sitting across the table to use the other side) just slip the laminated sheet in the clear pocket on the back, or hot-glue binder clips to that side.  

My students use this system a lot since it is located where they work, and saves them from changing their focus to search a big wall that can really confuse little minds (transfer is a skill they really do not acquire well until 3rd grade).  

Well, that’s it! That’s my easy little Bright Idea for June! If you enjoyed this Bright Idea, consider following me on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter (found at the top of my blog).  

For more Bright Ideas from more than 100 different bloggers, please browse through the link-up below and choose a topic/grade level that interests you.  Thanks for visiting! Also, be sure to scroll down to the previous post on creating a letter stamping  center using ice cube trays, a binder, letter stickers and non-slip shelf liner.  These can stay out all year, but also can be portable when you need them to be!