The Classroom “Paper Blizzard” and Buck’s Survival Tips

If you’ve ever heard of “tickler files,” then you are familiar with one of Frank Buck’s first suggestions for dealing with the avalanche of papers the classroom teacher can find on her desk.  

Setting up the “tickler file” system is easy.

1. Acquire 43 folders and locate a handy place to put them.
2. Label the first 31 folders 1 – 31, with one file representing each day of the month.   
3. The 12 folders that are left should be labeled with the names of the months of the year.  

Using the “tickler file” system is as follows:

1. When you receive a piece of paper that you will need at some future time, decide on what day you will need to see the paper again and place it in the corresponding file.  For example, if you receive written instructions for completing a faculty survey on the tenth of the month, place the written instructions in the file labeled “10.”  If you will not need the paper again until at least a month into the future, place the paper in the corresponding monthly folder.  
2. At the end of the month, empty the next “monthly folder” into the 1-31 daily folders.  

Buck gives several practical examples of how to use the files.

1. You use a “problem of the day” with your classes.  Drop each problem in the appropriate daily tickler file.
2. You plan to give a test on Thursday.  Prepare the test, run it off, and place it in the corresponding daily tickler file.
3. You have collected makeup work and intend to grade it all on Friday.  Place it all in the corresponding daily tickler file for Friday.  

Buck says tickler files relieve stress because they keep the teacher from having to remember when something is due.  What the teacher must remember, though, is to check the appropriate tickler file on a daily basis.  Used properly, the tickler file system does most of the remembering for the teacher.

Click the link below to check out another short perspective on the value of tickler files. 

http://frankbuck.blogspot.com/2011/01/clean-off-your-desk-day.html