How to Keep School Papers Organized

Oh the mess of school papers… yes, I’ve been there. But, not anymore! Today we will be showing you step-by-step how to create a School Memory Binder with Downloadable Printables that will not only help to keep school papers organized but it will also become a precious keepsake.

Whether you have a toddler that will soon be starting Preschool, a high school freshman whose school memories are all scatted, or both… this School Memory Binder is a perfect project for any school-age child.

It can be done in a matter of minutes, or hours (depending on how old your child is and the amount of school keepsake you want to display in your binder).

This is a perfect weekend project, quarantine project, or even a perfect “mother and child” activity. If you have multiple school-age kids this can be a great activity to do together as they can each help put together their own school binders.

Once their School Memory Binder has been put together to reach their current grade level, all they have to do after that is add the new information at the end of every school year, and BOOM! No more school papers crunched inside drawers! Yay!!!

But first…

Why create a School Memory Binder?

There are a few ways to keep track of school memories and keep school papers organized. However, I opted for the School Memory Binder because it is more convenient than other methods.

Using a School Memory Binder versus other methods (such as filing them, storing them in boxes, buying a school memory book):

Helps keep school papers organized in chronological order.
Gives me the option to use clear plastic sheet protectors to help preserve pictures and documents.
The binders are portable giving us the flexibility to take them anywhere.
When my kids are older they can take them with them.
I can store them or display them anywhere.
Helps kids choose only the most important school work they want to keep (and not a year’s worth).
It gives me the option to store as many documents as I want versus a store-bought school memory book which comes limited space and kiddie images teenagers dislike.

Materials Needed to Create a School Memory Book

There isn’t much that goes into creating a School Memory Binder. In fact, all you need is a handful of basic materials and some optional materials that will help make a difference in the overall look and functionality of your School Memory Binder.

Here are the materials I used for creating my kids’ School Memory Binders:

one white, 0.5 inch or 1 inch 3-ring binder (for younger kids) or one 3 inches, 3-ring binder (for older kids)
clear sheet protectors (50 count protectors for younger children or 100 count protectors for older children or multiple children)
extra-strength, clear glue sticks
markers/pen
School Memory Binder Printables Bundles

Included in the School Memory Binder Printables Bundle

These School Memory Binder Printables are timeless. With their vibrant yet neutral color design they are perfect for kids of all ages, making them versatile and elegant.

The Bundle includes 24 Printables that allow you to print them over and over again (for multiple kids and/or for years to come).

The School Memory Printable Bundle includes 24 pages that allow you to keep schoolwork organized and categorized:

Binder Cover Page x1
Binder Spine Inserts x3 sizes (for 0.5 inch, 1 inch, and 3 inch binders)
School Year Memory Info Pages x14 (Pre-k 3 through 12th Grade)
Document Organizing Category Sections x5 (Art Work, Awards, Report Cards, School Work, and Pictures)
Notes Page x1
BONUS: Coronavirus Journal Page x1

The School Year Memory Info Pages are meant to be filled with information and memories from each school year, including:

School Name
School Year
Teacher(s)
Favorite Activities (Pre-3 and Pre-k 4 only)
Favorite Toy (Pre-3 and Pre-k 4 only)
Best Friends
Favorite Book
Sports and Activities
Future Goals
Special Moments

Organize school papers with School Memory Info Pages

As a bonus, the Bundle currently also includes a Coronavirus Journal Page as a tribute to one of the biggest changes in schooling history. So, this special bonus page allows children to express in writing how they felt during that time. Once completed, the Coronavirus Journal Page can be added to their School Memory Binder under the Grade Level that corresponds with the 2019-2020 school year.

The Coronavirus Journal Page includes:

What is it?
How did schooling change?
What do you miss the most?
What did you learn from this?
What are you grateful for?
Additional thought…

How do you get the School Memory Binder Printables Bundle?

Simply purchase the bundle for only $10 and you will receive it a PDF downloadable copy with 24 printables straight to your inbox.

Once in your inbox, save it in a secure place of your choice (Google Drive, DropBox, Computer File, Cloud, Flash Drive, etc.), and print as many times as you wish. The Bundle will be yours for life.

You don’t have to print them all at once. Simply look through them and see which grades and category pages apply to your child at this time. Then, over the years you can print what you need to continue working on your School Memory Book. Or if you are anything like me… print them all out and have them ready to go as each school year comes to an end.

Ideally, you would want to print your printables 0n cardstock paper for a steadier feel, but regular paper works just fine.

* Please note that because of the electronic nature of this product, all sales are final and non-refundable. But if you have any questions at all, you can reach me directly at lovelymomhood@gmail.com (Nataly).

So, now that you have all of the necessary materials and your Printables, let’s get building…

How to Organize School Papers with a School Memory Binder

Step 1: Gather your materials

Make sure you have all of your supplies at hand: your choice of folder size (the one I used for this example is a 1 inch), the School Memory Binder Printables, sheet protectors, glue sticks, markers/pen.

Tip: Some folder spines are tighter than others. If your spine insert doesn’t go in easily, try gluing your spine insert to a piece of cardstock paper to help it become steadier. You can also try slighting in a flat object (such as a ruler) in and out a few times to loosen the plastic cover.

Step 2: Place your Cover and Spine Inserts

Using the Binder Cover and Spine Cover Insert Printables write your child’s name and grade levels that folder will contain. Then, place your Cover and Spine Inserts in your binder. This simple step gives your School Memory Binder an instant personalized look.

Tip: If you are putting together a School Memory Binder for a younger child, write the stating grade level and leave the ending grade level blank since you won’t know how many school grade documents you will be able to organize in that particular folder. That will all depend on the size of your current folder and the amount of school paperwork you decide to keep over the years. If you end up needing more space for future grades, no problem. Simply, print out another Cover Page and Spine Page and add the subsequent School Year Memory Info Pages and Category Pages.

Step 3: Place the Rest of your Printables

Now that the outside of your child’s School Memory Book is complete, it is time to work on the inside.

After filling out the information on the School Year Memory Info Pages that apply (by you or your child) and adding a school picture, place them in plastic sheet protectors. Although placing your printables in sheet protectors is totally optional, it will make a big difference in the longevity of your School Memory Book. Trust me, once completed the kids will love flipping through their School Memory Binder over the years, so making sure the main pages are reinforced is a smart idea.

school memory book plastic protective covers

If you don’t have plastic sheet protectors it’s okay. Simply hole punch the entire set of printables and place them in your binder. If in the future you would like to add sheet protectors just place your existing printables in the protector sheets or print out new printables (remember, the printables are yours for life).

Step 4: Organize Your School Documents

Now that your School Memory Book is equipped with all of the Category Pages (Art Work, Awards, Report Cards, School Work, and Pictures, Notes), it is time to get to work.

School Memory Binder Printable Categories

Now… If you are making this School Memory Binder for a younger child, then you might not have much to worry about. However, if you are putting together a School Memory Book for a 9th Grader that has 3 drawers full of years worth of school work, then that might take a little work.

If your kids are anything like mine, they will want to keep every single school document that they have ever brought home!

However, the beauty of these folders is that it helps them understand the importance of narrowing down school paperwork to only picking the most important ones for each category.

Tip: Bring all of the school papers your kids have accumulated over the years- you might need to take a deep breath for this one and grab a big cup of coffee (or glass of wine). You might need it! Go ahead… I’ll wait here. Then, organize school papers by creating grade level piles. Once everything is sorted out by grade, it is time to start plugging documents in our binder.

Grade by grade, go through the Category Printables and plug in the school papers, documents, and memories that fit into those categories. Remember to try to keep only the most relevant and important school work and documents.

In the Notes Category Section encourage your kids to write the additional notes on that particular school year. They might not recall everything that happened on a particular year, so make sure you help them brainstorm if you remember something they don’t.

Remember, this is just a template, so feel free to customize and personalize your School Memory Book by adding anything you’d like.

Step 5: Admire your Masterpiece!

You did it! Hopefully, this was something you were able to do together with your child. But even if it wasn’t, because well you wanted to retain your sanity (trust me I get it), at least you will have achieved the undertaking of a lifetime.

Dare I say it???….

Your children’s school papers are all organized by grade, by category, on a neat stylish binder, that stores away in a bookshelf, where all memories are recorded year after year, hence removing the mom guilt of not storing away school memories!!!

**Gasp** #momwin

You’re welcome. 😉

★ Related Articles:

In Summary

I know how bad we want to bottle up and store away every single beautiful memory of our children.

But I also know how hard motherhood can be at trying to undertake projects like this when we barely have time to take a shower.

That is why I wanted to share this simple yet priceless project. This School Memory Binder will not only provide you peace of mind, knowing that you are storing away precious school memories, but you are also saving your sanity by having a designated place where the most important school memories can live.

Plus, these inexpensive School Memory Binder Printables make it a breeze to bring it all to life.

I hope this has been helpful to you and that it has serve a tool to make motherhood a bit less, well… complicated.

Will you me making a School Memory Binder? Do you already have one? Please let me know in the comments below…

Oh and… If you found this article helpful, please share (Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, etc). Thanks in advance.