Morgan DeRycke

A student binder or classroom scrapbook, serves as a powerful tool for organizing and preserving the hard work that my fourth grade students put in every day. Keeping their ‘WOW Work’ (assignments, projects, and other materials where they have shown growth, mastery, or are proud of) all in one place is a constant reminder to them of their hard work. They take pride in these accomplishments. This system allows for easy access to past work, to reflect on personal growth, and can easily be found to share with families at conferences. Whether it's a perfectly completed math test, a researched essay, or creative artwork, the binder becomes a tangible record of effort and achievement. Students are motivated to complete work at a level in which they are proud of and wish to share and show off. Over time, the binder becomes more than just a collection of papers—it becomes a reflection of the student's hard work, growth, and potential, instilling a sense of pride and ownership in their learning process. I refer to these binders as the students’ fourth grade scrapbook.