My third graders finally started writing, and honestly, all the papers were becoming a problem. So, I designed this Student Writing Folder in an effort to tame the paper chaos and provide a resource while they wrote. Read on to find out more!
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Something amazing happened this year… somewhere between learning how to do multiplication and diving into our weekly close reading sessions…
✨ My class became writers. ✨
You heard me right.
WRITERS!
Like, for realsies.
Every time I turned around, a kid had a piece of notebook paper on their desk. They were writing stories. Poems. Chapter books. Information booklets. Can you believe even caught one sweet kiddo illustrating a table of contents? 😍
I could barely contain my excitement—and honestly, still can’t.
I wish I could tell you the exact moment the writing bug bit our class, but I really started noticing the shift right after we wrapped up our Small Moments writing unit. (You can read more about that here).
But With All That Writing… Came All the Paper
From that point on, they were off to the races, writing like it was their job!
Which was incredible…
But also a little chaotic.
Because when every student is writing (which is exactly what we want), every student has:
- Rough drafts
- Final drafts
- Graphic organizers
- Brainstorm pages
- Notes, doodles, and ideas for future stories📖
And let’s just say: our unfinished work folders were not cutting it. 😅
Enter: The Student Writing Folder Era 📝
That’s when I decided to create a writing folder that would do more than just hold paper. I needed something that would:
✔️ Help students keep their writing organized
✔️ Give them tools to support their writing skills
✔️ Be durable and easy to set up
So I made this: the Student Writing Folder.
Part storage, part writing toolbox, and 100% kid-friendly.
Each folder uses a regular ol’ 2-pocket, 3-prong folder, but once you assemble it with the included materials, it becomes your students’ writing HQ.
What’s Inside the Student Writing Folder
Here’s what the file includes to help you put these folders together:
- A fun, student-friendly cover page
- Pocket labels to help organize writing in progress vs. finished work
- 8 reference sheets students actually use, including:
- Introduction sentence starters
- Transition word ideas
- Commonly misspelled words
- What makes strong writing
- An editing checklist
- How to cite text evidence
- Conclusion suggestions
- Ways to add details to writing
I double-sided printed the reference sheets and popped them into sheet protectors in the folder’s prongs. Now, students flip to them constantly when they’re stuck—or when they want to level up their writing.
One of my students literally said,
“I love this folder because it tells me what to do when my brain gets stuck.”
💡 YES. That’s the goal!
A Peek Inside Our Student Writing Folders
Let’s take a little tour of these folders. They are more than just a place to house all our new types of writings. They are also a resource to help guide students as they write.
First, on the inside cover, we have a pocket for projects we are just starting.
We also have reference resources for introduction types and transition words.
Next, the prongs in the middle hold two more sheets that we place in a page protector. There’s a list of 6 things that good writing includes and a list of the most commonly misspelled words.
On the back of that sheet, we have an editing marks checklist to reference while we’re editing our own or our peer’s papers.
There is also an evidence-based sentence starter bank to help us when we are responding to text.
Finally, the back pocket serves as a holder for projects that are almost ready to be edited and published. Additionally, we provide examples of conclusion sentences and suggestions for incorporating supporting details.
Student Writing Folder In Action
The best part? This morning, I spotted one of my third graders working on a piece after she finished her morning work
I also found this little gem tucked away in one of the folders…
Not only does this non-fiction reference book have chapters, but it also has text features!
and the sweetest dedication page!
Apparently, that “Applicious Teacher” made quite a mark 😉
Keeping Writing Organized in Your Busy Classroom
If you’re knee-deep in writing instruction and tired of the paper chaos, this Student Writing Folder might be exactly what your classroom needs. Your students will feel like real writers, and your sanity will thank you. 😉
👉 Ready to make writing time easier and more meaningful?
Grab your Student Writing Folder right here!
Let me know in the comments or shoot me a message if you have questions about setting it up. I’m always happy to share what worked for us!
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