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Permalink Reply by Rory McDaniel on June 19, 2009 at 3:49pm

I'm very interested to hear what others have to say about this as I consider it one of my weak points.

One year I did try the three ring binder thing and I think it worked moderately well. One of my students actually suggested having two binders - one they keep at home and one they keep in the band room. I'd like to give it a shot if I can make it happen. Any other ideas?

Permalink Reply by Kevin Hames on June 19, 2009 at 10:22pm

I have the students buy a three ringed binder with page protectors to use to keep up with their music. Most of the students actually bought one and most of them thought that worked well.

Permalink Reply by Mike Doll on June 20, 2009 at 12:28am

I also use band binders. I started it about two years ago and it has really helped my kids to keep up with their books and music. THere are still those who are so completely disorganized that I am not sure Martha Stewart could help them.

I have actually purchased the binders for them for the past two years. I order through Office Depot and get a great deal through school on the stuff. I buy a 1 inch three ring binder, a pencil pouch, a mechanical pencil, a highlighter, 5 section divider, 10 sheets of notebook paper and page protectors.

We spend a day going over how to set it up. I have the kids compete for the best cover design. All notebooks must contain their name, their instrument and the class period. The kids really go for trying to be the most creative, especially the WW girls. I have the kids have their 5 section dividers split into warm-ups, method books, concert music, rhythm sheets and handouts.

The main draw back is that haing the music in page protectors gives the kids and excuse (which they don't need) to not mark their music.