Materials for Mr. Shaw's students:

The main thing to have for my class is a 1" hard-cover 3-ring binder. A view binder with the plastic sleeve on the front is nice, but not needed. A set of 8 divider tabs (for 6th grade) or 5 divider tabs (for 7th grade) is also very helpful to separate units and keep things organized. Together these two items should cost less than $10-15 depending on quality/brand either at an office supply store or online. For what it's worth, I am a fan of this binder. It's a bit more expensive but it's durable. The counselors can assist with securing class materials if there is a financial need (Ms. Morris for 6th grade, and Ms. Hollis for 7th grade). I bought a huge number of the 8-tab dividers over the summer when they were on sale so I am able to sell them for $1/set without taking a huge hit. I have a very small number of 5 tab dividers from years past for sale also for $1 for 7th graders.

Student binders will stay in my classroom at all times unless there is a specific reason why you need to take it home (for example, if the student will be absent for several days, or is studying for a test prep, etc.). This binder should and will last the whole year if it is taken care of!

Other thoughts about the binders:

• Please specifically get a 1" binder. Anything smaller is too small, and bigger won't fit on the shelves.
• Students will not need filler paper!
• Student names should be written on the spine of the binder in permanent marker. We will do this over the course of the first couple of weeks as students bring the binders in.

It is also helpful to ensure that students have enough pencils and a few colors of highlighters. A set of 12 colored pencils is nice, but not necessary.

For 6th graders, Mses. Castillo, Gould, Metz, and I all have our students keep materials in the classroom, so there is no need for giant zipper binders to be taken from one class to another and we ask that they stay in students' lockers. It is a good idea to have some type of pencil case that travels between classes.