Attempting a Pinterest Project... Reading Levels Folder

I am a complete Pinterest addict.  I could easily spend 5 hours on it, and not even realize it!  I am definitely a 'pinner,' and not a 'follow-througher' though.  My project last summer was to follow through with a project so I picked created a folder with students' reading levels.  If you're interested, this was the original pin.  Feel free to check it out!

So, I did it.  The first step was getting all of the DRA levels printed and cut out.  

I printed them on different, alternating colors just to make it more eye-appealing.  Afterwards, I place them inside a plain folder and laminated it.  I then used adhesive velcro (from Lakeshore Learning!)  An IMPORTANT suggestion is to play around with the layout before you glue the letters down.  It took me a few tries to find a layout that worked.  I have many English Language Learners and special education students, so many of my students end up in the I-O range for most of 3rd grade so I tried to give myself the most space here.  

  Afterwards, I wrote students names on pieces of index cards, put the other side of the Velcro on them so they were easy to move as their levels changed, and voila! 

It was a great visual tool for making guided reading groups at the beginning of the year.  I have to say that around March, aka MCAS testing season, it was brushed to the side and I didn't use it for the rest of the year.  I think it is a valuable, visual quick reference though that is worth the time to make.  In actuality, it did not take that long to make and can be used year after year! 

Who knows what my Pinterest project will be this summer...  I haven't decided quite yet, but I'll get there.  Feel free to follow me there! http://www.pinterest.com/jmaguire77/