Place the divider tabs into the binder. Use one for each student, and label them with the children's first names and last initials.
Punch holes in the sheets of labels, and add two sheets to the beginning of each student's space in the binder. You will use these sticky labels to jot down notes about student progress in the classroom. For example, a student may read a chapter book or work through a long division problem for the first time. Make social development notes as well, such as, "Johnny offered to help a friend carry his books when he saw that his friend was having trouble carrying all of his things."
Punch holes in the white paper, and add several sheets to each student's section. Label the tops of these sections with whatever subject areas you teach, as well as "Social/Emotional Development." You will transfer your sticky label notes to these pages to keep them organized by subject matter.
Add any school- or state-required assessments to each student's section.
Place at least two plastic page covers behind each labeled sheet of white paper. File student work samples in these page covers as the year progresses. When you want to refer to your binder for your own use, or for conferences, simply flip to the white piece of paper with the label you want (math, reading, social/emotional, etc.) and at your fingertips you will have anecdotal notes along with work samples that correspond to your notes.
Add your students' lists of goals to the ends of their sections. When a student has achieved a goal, check it off and list a date. List a new goal for each goal achieved.