Homework: Calendars and Bags

I first began collecting books, journals, games, flash cards, and other extension activities and decided on the bag themes.

I purchased canvas bags from Hobby Lobby and Wal-Mart.  You can get them on sale for about a $1 each.

I wanted mine to close, so I sewed VELCRO to the insides on the top.  That was very easy to do and it works!

I then added labels to identify the bags, where they belong (my classroom), and who  has worked with the bag.

I bought "book rings" or "loose leaf paper" rings and "name badge holders" from Wal-Mart (office supplies).

To store the bags, I wanted them to be "mobile" so I purchased a rolling garment rack that extends up and down.

I recently switched to using shower curtain hooks to hang the bags (Winnie the Pooh).

This year (2007), I changed my checkout system.  I have a "library" card pocket for each bag that is labeled with the bag's number and title.  It also has a class list grid for me to keep track of who's had which bag.  I no longer have the class grid on the back of the homework bag's tag as seen in the upper right picture.  That way I do the name crossing off and students don't have to take the tags in and out to check/cross off their name.

When students check out a bag, they take their picture stick (green cup) and put it into the correct pocket.  When they return the bag, they hang it on the garment rack and I go through it and then remove their picture stick and check/cross their name off of the name grid on the homework bag pocket.  So far it has seemed to work well.