Moose notebooks are a way to organize the things that you need to send home on a weekly basis. I think the letters stand for Management of Organizational Skills Everyday. I printed out the basic idea from this site. Basically, you give each child a plastic binder, I suppose the least expensive that you can afford. Within each folder you place clear plastic protector sheets. Each sheet is labeled for a different purpose. For example one might say Daily Homework, another might say Reading Assignment, Completed Papers, Please sign and return, etc. They said it worked great and the parents could see right away what needed attention that night. They also had an example of the letter that was sent home at the beginning of the year. I can't put my finger on it right now, but like I said, I wondered the same thing and found it way down the list on the postings. Hope this helped! - Claudia

Here you go. I copied this from the original posting which is waaaaaaaaaay down on this board. M.O.O.S.E. Notebooks (Management Of Organizational Skills Everyday)The M.O.O.S.E. Notebook contains the sections listed below. Entries are made daily so please look at all of the sections, especially the Parent/Teacher Communication section in the back of the notebook.Newsletter - Newsletters will be sent home each Friday.Homework & Word Lists - This folder will contain work to be done at home and turned in. It will also contain work that your child has completed at school. When your child has mastered a word list, this is where you will find his/her new list.School Notes - This folder will contain any notes form school from our principal, school nurse, or any other school personnel or organization.Parent/Teacher Communication - This section will be for notes between you and me. I will be writing notes to you in this section. Please check it daily and I will do the same for communications from you. Please remind your child that this section is only for you and the teacher to write in. I would also ask that you leave any notes that we may write in this section so that we can look back and remember any communicatins we may have had. Please put any money that you send to school in this section.Monthly Calendar - I will be sending home a calendar at the beginning of each month. The calendar will have important dates and reminders of special events in our classroom. Monthly cafeteria menus will also be included. The two calendars are in the clear plastic sleeve at the end of the notebook. - Tanya =^..^=

free Moose Folder Pintables
- here you will find some free reproducibles for
MOOSE Books and other goodies. Scroll down to Moose and your can print a cover and some of the labels. The free stuff is underlined!

MOOSE ACRONYM COVER
FISH - Family Involvement Starts Here

Cover- print and place on the front of your binders

Labels For Sections - print these on white mailing labels purchased from an office store. Six labels per sheet (3 1/3" X 4")

MOOSE ACRONYM COVER
OCEAN - Organized Communication Everyone Always Needs

MOOSE ACRONYM LABELS/COVER
BEE - Bring Everything Everyday

Cover - print and place on the front of your binders

Labels For Sections - print these on white mailing labels purchased from an office store. Six labels per sheet (3 1/3" X 4")

MOOSE ACRONYM LABELS/COVER
STAR - Students Taking Academic Responsibility
This was sent in as a request by Laura Black & this is what we came up with for her and to share with you!

Cover - print and place on the front of your binders

Labels For Sections (Choice 1)- print these on white mailing labels purchased from an office store. Six labels per sheet (3 1/3" X 4")

Labels For Sections (Choice 2) - print these on white mailing labels purchased from an office store. Six labels per sheet (3 1/3" X 4")

MOOSE ACRONYM LABELS/COVER
DOGS - Daily Organized Guys/Girls Stuff
This was sent in as a request by Sharon & this is what we came up with for her and to share with you!

Cover - print and place on the front of your binders

Labels For Sections (Choice 1)- print these on white mailing labels purchased from an office store. Six labels per sheet (3 1/3" X 4")

Labels For Sections (Choice 2) - print these on white mailing labels purchased from an office store. Six labels per sheet (3 1/3" X 4")

MOOSE ACRONYM COVER
FROGS - Fully Responsible & Growing Students

Cover - this was sent to me by Eveyln to share with you. Thanks Eveyln.

Cover (choice 2) - print and place on the front of your binders

Labels For Sections (Choice 1)- print these on white mailing labels purchased from an office store. Six labels per sheet (3 1/3" X 4")

Labels For Sections (Choice 2) - print these on white mailing labels purchased from an office store. Six labels per sheet (3 1/3" X 4")

MOOSE ACRONYM COVER
BEAR - Bring Everything Always Ready

MOOSE ACRONYM LABELS/COVER
BULLDOGS - Beginning to Undersatnd Life's Little Daily Organizational Skills
This was sent in as a request by Sherri & this is what we came up with for her and to share with you!

Cover - print and place on the front of your binders

Labels For Sections (Choice 1)- print these on white mailing labels purchased from an office store. Six labels per sheet (3 1/3" X 4")

Labels For Sections (Choice 2) - print these on white mailing labels purchased from an office store. Six labels per sheet (3 1/3" X 4")

MOOSE ACRONYM COVER
TEAM - Teaching Everyone About Management Skills

This was sent in as a request by DeAnna Peck & this is what we came up with for her and to share with you!

Cover - print and place on the front of your binders

Labels For Sections - print these on white mailing labels purchased from an office store. Six labels per sheet (3 1/3" X 4")

Do You Like Our Printables? Then you will love our Teacher Timesaver CDROMS! Click Here to learn more! 1,000's of satisfied customers!!!

Eagles files in Print Shop Format Sent in by Tiffani at tiffanim@sbcglobal.net (A big thanks to her for having a sharing heart!)
Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4,
Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8, Page 9 , Last

Daisy Binder Printables - Daily Announcements and Information for the School Year from Laurie Reed. (A big thanks to her for having a sharing heart!)

Letter Home / Cover

Frog Books From Ms. Shana @ msshana1@gmail.com

Frog Rules (pdf)
Frog Cover (pdf)

Someone asked below how you manage the MOOSE notebooks. I'm thinking the same thing. It probably isn't very complicated but I thought some of you use them would have suggestions on procedures that work well. I'm thinking that my kids (3rd grade) can put homework, notes and returned papers into the books. But what is your procedure for collecting homework, checking for parent notes and storing the books during the day? I've followed all of the links for creating the books and am excited about implementing this. Thanks for any input. - Posted by LaurieA on 6/22/02

The MOOSE BOOKS in my class are morning business. Upon entry, they take their book to their desk and go through it. They hold onto any notes, money, etc. until after announcements. Once announcements are done, the weeks "table captain" collects any/all of these things and brings them to me. From here they trade their Borrow-A-Book, and place any homework in the "Mission Accomplished" basket for marking. Once all business is taken care of, I have 2 bins they place their book in for the day.

At the end of the day, my leader and assistant, hand out the books, and we put all homework, completed work, newsletters, etc. in their proper places.

Hope this helps! This is the first year I have used them and I LOVE them!!! They have worked beautifully for me and parents feel the same! - Tanya =^..^=

I'm going to teach 3rd grade for the first time this year. I am trying to decide how I want to have my kids be organized. We send home a Thursday Folder with notes for the week, a newsletter, and graded papers. IN that folder, we have a reading calendar to keep track ofthe 20 min per night reading that we require and also the weekly AR points and how much of their goal they have met.

We also have an assignment notebook. Some people call them a school planner or an agenda. It goes home nightly.

Rather than have a M.O.O.S.E. (Management of Organizational Skills Everyday) notebook, I think I'll just have a M.O.O.S.E-type system. I'm thinking of putting a homework folder in their notebook for all the homework to go in. The first thing they are to do in the morning is take it out and put it in the trays (I have a stacking tray for each subject). We call that the TURN IN BOX. I will have them put their number in the upperleft hand corner to help me file graded papers later. I'll have two student files. One for graded papers only and the other one for all else.

I encourage parents to write notes in the agenda. That is where I will look for them when I check them which is daily. When they unpack their bags in the morning, they leave the planner or agenda on their desk. (Or sometimes I have the group helping hand pick all the the group's up and bring to me to check.) The third grade before I came gave a grade on the agendas and we'll continue to do that. On the first day of school, the child starts out with a 100 for his planner grade. They are to be signed by a parent at night. Each night that they aren't signed, two points are taken off. At the end of the nine weeks, that is a reading grade.....(Language Arts) and they start over with a 100 again.

We have a storage problem. Our desks are too small for a notebook, but they usually keep the notebook under their desk (there is a bar there.) My new desks don't have that so I don't know what I'll do. They may just have to keep it in their bag on the back of their chair.

I got the following off a third grade web page. I will probably write something like that for my parents.

Keeping up with classwork, homework, and notes home is extremely necessary. I have devised a system to help your child stay organized, but I will need your help on a daily basis.

Each child should have a 3 ring notebook. In this notebook, children will keep their class agenda books, and pencil/crayon holders. There should be a pocket in the front of the notebook. In this front pocket, look for your child's homework, and classwork that was not completed at school. In addition, children will place in this pocket any notes that need to be read by you. The back pocket of the notebook should be used to place fun sheets, notes, etc.

Here's where you can help! Please schedule a 30 to 40 minute time each day for your child to study spelling, multiplication facts, and complete class and homework. Children need routine and structure to be successful. Before your child begins his/her nightly assignments, check his/her notebook for the following:

Be sure your child is writing down homework assignments, and behavior each day.

Check for notes home. Read them, respond if directed, and place them back in the front pocket.

Behavior - See Agenda Books for more information

Work to be completed - homework or classwork.

After checking, please don't forget to sign your name on the appropriate day.

Please note: If your child is bringing home a lot of work to complete each day, this could be a sign that he/she is not using time wisely at school. - Posted by Emmy/3/OK on 6/22/02

set guidelines first day - long

The MOOSE, or variations of it, is really helpful. Mine consists of a 1/2" vinyl binder with two pocket dividers that have been reinforced, edges with packing tape, and hole reinforcements. This gives me four pockets labeled: HomeworkSpelling, Important Notes, Keep at Home. There is also a clear sheet protector for the school calendar with lunch menu on the flip side.After our welcome, introduction activities and some rule discussion and practice on the first day, I present the binder like it's a long-lost treasure. I tell them this is very important, and that they, NOT their parents, are responsible for it, and that I want them back at the end of the year. They are to put things in it when I tell them to, not later, and they are to take them home daily. It is their responsibility to make sure their parents see them and open them. It is their resp. to bring them back the next day. They take them out and put them on their desks first thing, and check the pockets for homework to be turned in and any notes from parents. They have to check even if they don't think there's a note, as parents put notes in after bedtime sometimes. If they forget the notebook, they walk two laps at recess. If they start to say, "My mom forgot..." they walk another lap, after we've discussed who forgot their responsibility. Talk to the kids with empathy, firm but kind. They will respond in kind. Some of the kids get almost uptight at first about this new resp. because they've never had any. They soon adjust. Parents ALL love the binders, and I get tons of compliments at orientation, conferences etc. They say it has helped their children at home with other responsibilities. You know, we also teach the parents, and letting them know it's okay to hand out some resp. is a good start.Sorry so long. Good luck!! Posted by cj1st on 6/30/02

You will love the notebook! From September to January,the kids brought their notebook to a collection box in the morning. I went through the books on my lunch break or recess break. This doesn't take that much time unless you give a lot of homework. From Late January to June the students brought their notebook to their desk in the morning and opened their books after the pledge and I went quickly around to check and stamp homework. They were busy reading storybooks or finishing up folder work while I was checking. I had the helpers of the day collect the books after that point and then in the late afternoon two fifth grade helpers would put notes in and recheck the binders. My students have a folder at their table place. One side is classwork and one side is homework. Anything during the day that is deemed homework that night is put on the homework side. Fiften minutes before dismissal we have a homework meeting and they know that any papers in the homework pocket should be brought to the meeting. I have a rocking chair in my room and they come and sit right in front of the chair. I take out one binder from my box, praise the owner if the binder is orderly and explain all notes that are in there. Each pocket is looked at as a group. They are holding any homework that they have. You can quickly scan to see who forgot their homework. After homework is explained we pass the books out and they put their homework into the homework pocket themselves. My parents and students LOVED the notebook and one mom even gave me new notebooks and pockets to start my next school year! What a great gift!

Tiffani, I made the MOOSE notebooks last year for the first time.  I even found a neat graphic of a cartoonish moose holding a briefcase to add to each page.  I explained the MOOSE at open house at the beginning of the year to my parents.  I had NO problems with the MOOSE books coming back each day.  In fact, my parents loved the idea and thanked me for implementing them throughout the year.  It definitely keeps that home-school connection a little stronger. 

My cost for notebooks (slide in clear pocket on front), canvas pencil pouches, protective sleeves (used for MOOSE title pages for each section) and pocket files in each section cost me around $6.00 a piece to make.  My parents paid for them. 

This year, I contacted Office Depot.  The manager was super nice.  He agreed to donate everything we need to make the MOOSE books.  He said that they can do things like this but are rarely asked.  I didn't have to do a thing except write down exactly what I needed.  I went into the store and wrote down item numbers, price and how many I would need of each.  I'm actually doing it with another teacher this year and he said he would fund both.  It was around $500 and he was happy to do it.  Now, I'm PRAYING that no one on this ring lives around Columbus, Georgia.  He might not be so nice to me next year if he's flooded with requests!

This year they put their moose books in a box under a table.  They got lunch money out at lunch from the moose and then placed it on their table.  My kids have pe right after lunch.  During the lunch time, I checked homework, put in graded papers to go home, read and responded to parent notes in the moose.  My next project will be to create some cute way of storing these notebooks during the day.  Any ideas?

  I'm also considering making the BEAR books instead of MOOSE books.  The acronym was more first grade friendly....Bring Everything (what did the 'a' stand for?) Ready.  And the bear graphics would be cute, too.

Sharon
1st/AL

I had 15 students this past year and put together about 18 MOOSE books in case someone moved in during the year. They cost me somewhere between $4 and $5 to make. I bought all of my supplies at Walmart once they had put out all of their back to school stuff and prices were sale ones. I found a Moose picture that I liked, cut it out and stenciled it onto the front of each one with Sharpie markers. I used green Slicker binders that were fairly flexible, by the way.

It was absolutely no hassle. They all were returned each day and my students simply knew to have them out on their tables the first thing and they got their own stuff out - during the first few weeks, I modeled, modeled, modeled, but they very soon could just about do them on their own.

They kept them close at hand in their chair backs that I had made.
Roberta/1/ME

I am planning on trying the moose books this year. I cannot spend a lot of money for notebooks (every pennyis going to my daughter's wedding)so I plan toimprovise a little. Our KK group has the parents buy
pocket folders with the brads in them. I have always laminated them. I plan to do the moose books in this notebook. Hopefully, it will be a lot cheaper. Also, I try and use red folders for the girls and blue folders for the boys. That way if I am looking for a
particular folder I can eliminate half with a glance. I will be able to staple the behavior calendar to the inside of the front cover. I hope this makes sense.
Susan

I have been researching the use of MOOSE notebooks onthe web. I am very interested in using these in my first grade classroom next year. I was just wondering if anyone on the list uses them, how they like them,and how much it cost to put them together? Did anyone receive reimbursement from the school/PTA? Is there any way to have the items needed donated maybe? Thanks for your help in advance. I love this group.

Charla D. Willis

I use Frog Notebooks.  They can be seen on my site.  I put the materials on the kids supply list for fall.  The  only thing I supply are the stickers for the plastic sleeves.  I have had nothing but compliments from the parents. Mrs. Kestner's Hoppin Good First Grade www.gkestner.com/gklab.html

I have used them for 2 years now, and have nothing but wonderful comments on them.  I haven't had one child lose their MOOSE either year!  Our PTC even had a conversation about them during one of their meetings this year, as they were trying to improve the communication/newsletters, etc. that came from the school.  I buy a 1" 3-ring notebook that works perfectly.  I just bought for next year at Office Depot when they had them on sale for buy 6 (each $1.98) and get 6 free.  Terrific deal. I use school tagboard for the dividers. I buy my plastic sheets at Costco for less than $10.00  for 200. My notebooks end up costing less than $2.00 each by the time they're complete.  I would highly recommend them!!!
- sandi peterson

I have used them for the last 3 years also. I usually buy the 3 ring binders at Office Depot and then ask the parents to buy the dividers and notebook bags for pencils. My notebooks are called STAR notebooks as they are listed on the teaching heart website. I love them and my parents love them too. The only difference that I do is that my school provides every student with a daily planner where they can write their asignments down--so I put it in the MOOSE/STAR notebook. That way the planners aren't quite so ratty by the end of the school year.

Janna

I too have used the MOOSE binders the past 2 years. Like the other posters, my parents raved about it too. In fact, my principal loved the idea so much that she made it mandatory for grades K - 4th.  (we are a private school with one class per grade. The older grades use assignment books) The last 2 years , I called mine MOOSE books, but this coming year, I will change it to RAINBOW (Responsibility, Achievemnet, Information, Neatness, & Better Organization Wins!) The last two years, I bought the cheap 58 cent binders from wal-mart. However, they did not all make it and I ended up replacing about half of them. So, this year, I am going to watch office max sales and invest in the more durable binders. For mine, I use 3 plastic pocket folders with the holes already punched. 1 blue (for homework and spelling list....there is a homework form with the weekly assignmenst in the middle of the folder...parents initial each day)  1 green (communication folder, I keep the behavior form, which I sign daily, and any notes from school go on the left side, and the children's daily work (whcih is not graded) goes on the right side.) and 1 red folder. The red folder is teh test folder. All graded papers go home in it. There is a form for the parents to sign, and the tests get sent back to school where I put them in the students file. (this is policy at our school) In front of the 3 plastic folers, I have 2 sheet protectors:  One houses the information letter on one side, and my class schedule on the back. The second sheet protector houses the monthly lunch menu. In front of the sheet protectors, I put the zipper pouch (purchased for 20cents at walmart...these did last!).  This zipper pouch is where they put any monies:  lunch, book, field trip, tuition, ect. LOL, I did this backwards!!! Sorry!! I started with the back and work my way forwards...hope it made sense.   Anyway, I have never heard any negative comments. The parents really love them. They can find things easily and most sign what they are suppose to.   As far as cost goes: last year, my notebooks cost about $1.97 each to make. Depending on what sales I can find on binders at Office Max, this may be about 50 cents more this year. But it will be worth it. The 3 plastic folders I use can be purchased at wal-mart when school supplies go on sale. Last year they were 25 cents each. Again, well worth it to me. The first year, I used the paper folders, but had to punch holes in them....a NIGHTMARE!!! So I did not mind spending the extra 15 cents per foler to already have holes in them.  Anyway, I ask for the parents to donate 2dollars. This year, though, depending on cost, it will be 2.50 or 3$.  Last year, all parents paid. Some even sent in extra.   Hope all this info. helps.  Tonya

Do the kids get to keep the folders at the end of the year or do you recycle them if they are in good shape?  

Since I do ask for donations,(if I worked at a low-income I probably would not ask for donations either...) I let the children keep them. I feel it is the right thing, since the parents technically paid for the notebooks. THe plastic folders were still in excellent shape and could have been reused this year. So, if you invest in the plastic pocket folders, you will probably be able to use them again. However, the binders, if you purchase the cheap Wal-Mart ones, will not be reusable after one year.  Not sure about the more durable ones.  I will find out this school year how they hold up My ziplock pouches also held up all year...this surprised me since they were so cheap. Tonya

I used the concept of a MOOSE book with two of my students.  I chose to use it only upon need instead of with the whole class.  I called my the Owasco Owl WOW book which stood for Wonderful Organized Work.  It worked fantastic for the two students that I made them for. I made it myself and did not receive any reimbursement for this.  I am putting together a sample to be suggested at CST meetings for students who have poor organizational skills. As I said before it worked very well for the students that I made them for.  I didn't really see a need to make them for everyone.  My class was excellent at returning homework and our daily behavior cards except for the two students I made the books for. Hope this info helps. LINDA QUINZI

I use MOOSE notebooks in my classroom. I really like them. They keep the kids and me organized. The first year I did them I purchased the materials. Last year I ordered them at budget time and didn't spend my own money. I put most of them together for under 2.50 because I shopped at the back to school sales at Wal-Mart, Target and Staples. I have some info on my site at www.mrsdryzal.com/moosenotebook

Lisa

I love the MOOSE book system. I have used it for one year. I did not think it would be duable for me to send it home everyday...and check behavior sheets everyday...but it was! I loved it. It was easy, the kids did great with it, and it made parent communication a cinch! I had several books fall apart, though! We (my grade level partner) absorbed all the costs of the books. This year, we are putting a MOOSE fee on their supply list. I customized the behavior form to include a check box for homework (we didn't send it home every day) and for notes (so I could make sure and look when there was a note). The examples I have online are not the updated ones. (They are on my computer at school, not here...I will update them over the summer). I have a Hiking theme in my room, and the MOOSE books went right along with that! I also made a form to record my behavior chart on weekly. The kids got rewards at first for not losing their yellow stars...as the year went on, the I didn't have to use rewards as much. Melissa http://www.smithsroom.com/moose.htm 

I used these in K this year and called them F.R.O.G BOOKS (for really organized guys/gals). Not one of my 45 students lost them! Some of the things I included were a class list so children could learn to read each others names, a zipper pouch, a red folder for things that had to come back to school, another folder of a different color for things that stay home, a list of Popcorn words, a list of skills they needed to know for skill rings that month, a map of the U.S. to track where our gingerbread man had been, and a poetry section for the poems and nursery rhymes we learn. Each child is also given a small "pointer" to keep in the zipper pouch, and I often see them reading names, poems, etc. when they have time before school. This year I am going to purchase the view binders which I think will hold up better than the flexible poly-binders I had this year. Actually, the binders did quite well, but the label on the front did not!

My school is in a low income area, and most parents don't bother to pay book fees, so I don't ask for donations. Last year and this I have received a grant form Wal-Mart to purchase material for these books!

This year both of our K classes used a variation of the MOOSE notebooks that we called K.I.N.D.E.R. binders (Kindergarten Information, Necessary Data and Educational Resources) for the 1st time. The parents loved them and when the other teachers in our primary dept. heard about them thru the parents, they came to check them out. Next year PS thru 1st will be using them and 2nd grade may (I haven't heard back from the teachers).
Last year we put the notebooks and zipper pencil cases on our supply list. Most held up depending on the quality of the binders provided. This year we have decided to buy the binders ourselves so we can get exactly what we want. We do an operetta in the Spring and some of the money raised from that will pay for the binders and what goes in them. In addition to the other things everyone puts in the binders, we also include our class handbook, the student/parent handbook, and a few sheets at the beginning of the book labeled "Home/School Communications." The communications page we use to jot quick notes to parents and parents use it for quick notes. No more lost notes.

Valérie

I use FISH folders - Family Involvement Starts Here. I have used this
for three years and my parents love it. I teach first grade and when
the first group to use the folders went on to second grade their
parents convinced the second grade teachers to try them as well. Now,
my principal has offered to buy all of the materials for Kindergarten
through fourth grade to use them. I got the idea from Colleen's site. I
chose FISH because it is went with our AR theme.

Julia

1.  Was it worth the expense...and did you or did you not get
     money from your parents/grant/PTA group or whatever?

My PTO usually gives me about a hundred dollars every year.  I could use this money or my own.  I spend a lot on my class because I can and I like having what I need.  My husband is a plumber and he is always buying equipment to help him do his job.  I just think about it like that.

2.  What kind of feedback are you getting from parents?

A couple of parents didn't like the structure of sending it back and forth, but usually their kids needed that the most.  The others raved about it.

3.  What about filling them each week with the parent letter...
and I do homework daily, so unless I change that, I would
have to put that indaily.

didn't find this to be a problem.  At first I did it myself, then I had the kids do it as I gave the instructions of what to put where.  It actually taught them to follow oral directions.  At the end of the day we put out MOOSE together.  THEY eventually knew what to do without much instruction and would even remind me.

4.  I don't have   a para/assistant/or whatever...did you do it without help? Most years I get very few if any parent volunteers...some years worse
   than others...

No volunteers or assistants in my room.

I didn't do the MOOSE this past year because I was having a lot of personal demands (both the younger and older generations) and I just couldn't get to it.  I regretted in all year.  I really felt the difference.  UGH!    This year I'm going back to it. It's worth the trouble and my principal was impressed at how this meets the standard of keeping parents informed about what we do.  In Ohio we are expected to attend to this detail.  To make it easier this year I went to the wonderful sites suggested here and cut and pasted the MOOSE pages on those sites to fit my needs.  I also changed the different categories to fit in with my needs. I'm off to the store tonight (husband is off on a trip) and I will do them this weekend.  Hope this helps you decide.  PS  A company donates canvas bags to me and I have the kids carry their MOOSE in these bags.  They put the bag and all into their backpacks or they carry them sep! arately.  I do quite a lesson plan on how to be sure to remember this book both at home and at school.

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I used the Moose idea last year for the first time and I have been teaching 26 years! I love trying new stuff. I got a few donations, but I get very little from my Title I school. My only modification was not using the Moose, but an Eagle. Our school mascot is the eagle. My acronym stood for E.ager, A.ctive, G.irls and guys, L.earn E.veryday to S.tudy!!!Hence, EAGLES!! It took me a long time to get them together and I had a large class--27 and up to 28. The notebooks got ragged and I needed more notebooks than I had. I asked our local Office Depot with not a positive response!! I will try another one for next year. I will do it again next year. I used back to school nametag stickers to identify each of my folders in the notebook! Was cheaper that way!! Thanks for the wonderful input! Barbee Stueve 1st grade Hillcrest Elem. Oklahoma City Public Schools barbeestueve@cox.net

I have updated my moose page if you want to see it. I am using something different this year. Last year I got plastic folders at wal-mart for about .25 cents each. I am rearranging my book and did not want to have the folder. I am going to use a plastic envelope OR the new Hefty School one-zip pouches. Large enough for folders and school papers. I am going to reinforce the edge with masking or clear tape and three hole punch. You get 30 for 9.95 at Really Good Stuff (picture is linked on my page).   Melissa Smith
1st Grade / TN
www.smithsroom.com

This year both of our K classes used a variation of the MOOSE notebooks that we called K.I.N.D.E.R. binders (Kindergarten Information, Necessary Data and Educational Resources) for the 1st time. The parents loved them and when the other teachers in our primary dept. heard about them thru the parents, they came to check them out. Next year PS thru 1st will be using them and 2nd grade may (I haven't heard back from the teachers).

Last year we put the notebooks and zipper pencil cases on our supply list. Most held up depending on the quality of the binders provided. This year we have decided to buy the binders ourselves so we can get exactly what we want. We do an operetta in the Spring and some of the money raised from that will pay for the binders and what goes in them.

In addition to the other things everyone puts in the binders, we also include our class handbook, the student/parent handbook, and a few sheets at the beginning of the book labeled "Home/School
Communications." The communications page we use to jot quick notes to parents and parents use it for quick notes. No more lost notes.

Valérie

I love the MOOSE book system. I have used it for one year. I did not think it would be duable for me to send it home everyday...and check behavior sheets everyday...but it was! I loved it. It was easy, the kids did great with it, and it made parent communication a cinch! I had several books fall apart, though! We (my grade level partner) absorbed all the costs of the books. This year, we are putting a MOOSE fee on their supply list. I customized the behavior form to include a check box for homework (we didn't send it home every day) and for notes (so I could make sure and look when there was a note). The examples I have online are not the updated ones. (They are on my computer at school, not here...I will update them over the summer). I have a Hiking theme in my room, and the MOOSE books went right along with that! I also made a form to record my behavior chart on weekly. The kids got rewards at first for not losing their yellow stars...as the year went on, the I didn't have to use rewards as much. Melissa http://www.smithsroom.com/moose.htm 

I used these in K this year and called them F.R.O.G BOOKS (for really organized guys/gals). Not one of my 45 students lost them! Some of the things I included were a class list so children could learn to read each others names, a zipper pouch, a red folder for things that had to come back to school, another folder of a different color for things that stay home, a list of Popcorn words, a list of skills they needed to know for skill rings that month, a map of the U.S. to track where our gingerbread man had been, and a poetry section for the poems and nursery rhymes we learn. Each child is also given a small "pointer" to keep in the zipper pouch, and I often see them reading names, poems, etc. when they have time before school. This year I am going to purchase the view binders which I think will hold up better than the flexible poly-binders I
had this year. Actually, the binders did quite well, but the label on the front did not!

My school is in a low income area, and most parents don't bother to pay book fees, so I don't ask for donations. Last year and this I have received a grant form Wal-Mart to purchase material for these books!

"humptydumptytoo" <mommygoose2214@hotmail.com>

I use Frog Notebooks.  They can be seen on my site.  I put the materials on the kids supply list for fall.  The  only thing I supply are the stickers for the plastic sleeves.  I have had nothing but compliments from the parents. Mrs. Kestner's Hoppin Good First Grade www.gkestner.com/gklab.html

Attached is a Behavior Chart that I made for our P-K through 3^rd and every teacher uses it now.  I made it 6 years ago and finally the Principal saw how helpful it was to alert parents to behavior she includes it in our MOOSE Folders that I showed her 5 years ago but she renamed PRIDE Notebooks three years ago.  Our color coded behavior policy is a school wide so parents look for that green in the notebook P-K to 3^rd to see how they are behaving.

I hope this may help other teachers and schools.

Judy Servoss

Using the school calendar, enter the dates, at the bottom of any date with a special event you may enter that with a smaller font.I start each with month name:  Aug.      8  then continue with numbers only until a month change.  The behavior policy can be changed according to school policy.

Click To See Judy's File in Word

I used Moose books for the first time last year and at first thought uh-oh because it seemed like a lot more work than the way I did it previously.  But I absolutely love then!!! I never had any problems with students not bringing them back, like I did when I used individual folders.  I think they felt like "big" kids because they had binders!  It also helped my parent communication and keeping money straight.  I would definitely tell you to use them - it did help with student responsibility.  Julie/NV/1st

I have used MOOSE books for two years now. I LOVE them! They have made my classroom so organized. The first year I had a great routine for checking them quickly in the morning. The kids made "stops"...1st stop was moving their name to lunch box or hot lunch on the attendence board, next put up their backpacks, 3rd stop was to show/give me their MOOSE book. I would open up the front cover and see if there was any money in the zipper pocket (I use mesh or plastic so I can see it without opening it up), and if there was a check mark to see a parent note (part of my weekly behavior sheet that parents sign each day). I would mark behavior and pack the books myself, or if I had a reader available, she would pack them and pass them out at the end of the day. A little too time consuming for me! So, this year...I've revised and improved. I got chair pockets from Really Good Stuff and the kids keep their binders with them throughout the day. I trained them where to put the different types of things that got sent home, like returned work went into the velcro envelope, newsletters and tests (stamped with a "parent signature" stamp and returned the next day) go in the front binder pocket, homework goes in the back binder pocket. They also mark their own behavior chart...I can quickly check it the next day or so...for those "forgetful" ones! I don't spend very much time at all getting them ready. The kids can handle packing them up. They take very good care of them and very seldom lose them.  You will love them! (I have lots of information about MOOSE books on my site).   Melissa Smith
1st Grade / TN
www.smithsroom.com

I've used MOOSE notebooks for 4 years now, and have loved them every year. I have used them for first and second grade. I actually have the students put them on a designated table when they come in in the morning, and then have a parent helper go through them quickly,or put things in for the day, whatever needs to be done. Even on the days that I haven't had a helper, I've gotten it down so that it goes quickly! I, too, debated most of a summer thinking that they would be too much work, but finally gave in. I've never regretted doing them. Parents have loved them, too! Sandi P