Works For Me Wednesday

Last year when the kids started school we were inundated with paperwork and school assignments. With 5 kids it quickly got out of control and I found that I couldn't keep on top of it. There were letters that I had recieved 5 times and needed to trash. Assignments I wanted to keep to give the children when they are older so they can see how they got their start. Finally, I picked up a few baskets at the dollar store and came up with this.

Basically, I labeled the files with each kid's name and grade and placed them in this basket. When the kids come home from school they leave their backpacks at the door and have quiet time where they take a break and unwind before they start homework and chores. This gives me time to go through their papers. Anything I want to keep for them I drop in their folders. Any multiple papers I toss and either keep one copy in the front of the basket or record the info I need in my planner.

The best part, at the end of the year, all I have to do is place their folders in my filing cabinet so that when the time comes to give them these things I have a complete folder for the year for them to look back on.

Works for me! (For more Works For Me ideas go see Shannon over at Rocks in My Dryer)