Ketchup Folder Labels: the secret to keeping your students organized

Student work can get messy and overwhelming!  My first graders are always finishing their work at different times or have absent work to make up.  I’ve found a great way to organize student work, after years of students stuffing papers in their desks. Giving my students Ketchup Folders has been a cute and easy way to keep their work organized has made a huge difference. Ketchup folder labels are an incredible way to manage paper clutter and help students take ownership of their work.  

Ketchup Labels

My favorite student organization folders are these Ketchup Folder Labels that I made.  “Ketchup,” a play on the words “catch up.”  My students have mustard, “must do” labels and mayonnaise, “may do”  labels, on the inside of their folders.  My little firsties love this super cute clip art!

Organizing With Ketchup Folders

I mainly use these Ketchup Folders during our literacy centers.  I build up student independence by having high expectations. Once students feel ownership over the clean-up routine, they know to put work that must be completed later on the “must do” side of their folder. When it is time to do center work again, students check their “must do” side first and complete work there before moving on to anything from the “may do” side. 

Literacy center work is checked weekly to make sure it is completed in a timely manner.   I also use these check-ins to add work to the “may do” side for students who have little to no work left in their “must do” side.  If a student is absent, I add their make-up work to “must do.”

Pickle “Pick One”

Along with the Ketchup Folders I have bins for turning in and choosing literacy center work.  I have a bin for “completed work,” and pickle “pick one.”  Students who finish everything inside of their Ketchup Folders can take a center activity from the “pick one” piles.  I use the “pick one” activities as an incentive to get everything inside of their folder done quickly. These “pickle” activities are hands-on or partner work, like this cute sight word game! 

These student organization folders have created a flawless, independent system for my students to keep track of their work!  How do you keep your students organized? 

Digital Ketchup Folder Labels

Check out these awesome Ketchup Folder Labels here!  These can be printed on sticky labels or card stock and laminated for longer use!

*NEW* Now with digital slides to assign work to students virtually!