The SOAR Binder System

The SOAR Binder System

What is the SOAR Binder?

• A system for organization of class materials that centers around ONE 3-ring binder that serves the student for ALL of their classes.

How is the SOAR Binder helpful for students?

• The SOAR Binder helps students manage assignments and homework by having a designated place for notes, completed homework, and homework to be completed/notes home.

• Using the binder helps students build important organizational skills and habits that will be essential for success in high school and college.

What are the main features of the SOAR Binder?

• The binder should have a tabbed divider with a pocket on the front for each subject or class.

• The pocket inside the front cover of the binder is for homework to be completed and notes home to parents.

• Completed homework for each class goes in the pocket (on front) of each divider until it gets turned in.

• Class notes/worksheets/handouts get clipped in to the three rings BEHIND the tabbed divider for each class.

• Loose leaf paper for all classes is best located at the very back of the binder to make flipping through class materials easier.

• Pocket on the back inside cover of binder is good for miscellaneous items.

• Please help support students as they use this system by asking them about their binders and prompting them to take the time to put papers/assignments in their proper places.

• Designating a certain day each week for “binder maintenance” and cleaning can be helpful. Ask your student to show you their newly re-organized binder after completing this task.

The SOAR Binder system comes from Susan Kruger’s book SOAR Study Skills: A simple and efficient system for earning better grades in less time. Her book offers great student- and parent-friendly information on organizational, study, test-taking, note-taking, and research skills and can be purchased for $15-20. Her website, studyskills.com, is another great resource for student success.