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4/9/2019 26 Comments

Classroom Clipboards - Tips & Tricks

Tips for making the most of your class set of clipboards
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A class set of clipboards is one of the most underrated teaching tools out there.  I want to share some of the ways to use them if you have them, and encourage you to get a set if you do not!  These are so handy to have if you just get used to using them well.

Don't worry - I used to have no idea how valuable these are too!  Years ago, a wonderful mentor teacher left me a set of 30 clipboards when I taught middle school.  At first, I had no idea if I would ever use them.  I shoved them in a closet and continued on with my day.

At the time, I had a couple of sixth graders who had what I called a "popping-up" problem.  These two boys happened to be in the same class, and physically could not stay seated.  They were great kids!  It was not intentional, and eventually I started to feel bad for how often I'd have to say "sit back down!"  They were very lovable and did not even realize it, but would suddenly be standing!  Constantly.

The two who did this all the time would very sheepishly sit back down any time I pointed it out.  They seemed to not even realize that their rear ends had left the seat.  They just could not stay in the chairs!  They'd be hunched over taking notes way down at the desk level.

Once I realized that they were just more comfortable standing, I gave up and accepted it.  I just moved these students to the back row so everyone else could still see.  Then, I remembered the clipboards.  At least they could work without hunching way down to work at the low desk. Once I pulled out a couple of clipboards, suddenly I was finding uses for them everywhere!! 

Another group of students loved to camp out on the floor right up close to the smartboard.  I'd let them gather there, where they could see clearly and hear me easily when they asked.  The clipboards started to come in handy again!  I started leaving the whole basket out so that kids could grab them and sit (or stand) wherever they needed to.

I even started reaching for them when I needed somewhere to stack and layer all the different class periods of make-up quizzes.  I found more and more uses for the set and started adapting!

Here are a few ways to use a set you may have lying around.


Make-Up Quizzes:

Clipboards are amazing for streamlining the make-up quiz process.  During the regular quiz time,  immediately label a blank quiz with the name of each absent student.  Then, clip it to a board right away.  Lay it along the chalk ledge with just the name visible.  You can group and organize them by class period.

When students come in during recess time (or after school) to make up the quiz, you'll never again have to stop working with students you may be tutoring.  The kids will know to come in, grab their quiz, and find a quiet place to work.  No more fumbling around to find the right make-up quiz instead of focusing on grading, planning, etc.  And BONUS! -- If you need to send one into the hall, they have a work surface already attached.  No more dragging desks back and forth to the hallway.

If you slide the stack closer together so that only the names and class periods are showing, none of the quiz will be revealed ahead of time.  You can even add a cover sheet to the top one.
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Mobility:

If each student has a clipboard, you can spread out more for group work.  Kids this age LOVE to sit on the floor.  If you are trying some task card activities or scavenger hunt-style worksheets, clipboards will help a lot.  Send one group to the back of the room and two to spread out in the hall, and suddenly group work is SO CALM!

During stations, scoot activities, games, etc. they will love not having to cart around a book to hold under their work.  I even have learned to start color-coding groups of clipboards to kill two birds with one stone.  Just hand out the clipboards, and you can have built-in partnering or grouping.
Being able to sit on the floor with a clipboard helped students even in cases I did not expect.  Sending someone out in the hall to do missing work while everyone else goes over the answers used to mean dragging a desk out.  Even after offering both options, I've yet to see a single student ever prefer a desk, surprisingly.  I used to feel so bad having them sit on the floor until I realized how much they loved it.  They sit in chairs all day and sometimes just need some variety.  It can feel more relaxed for them to work lounging on the floor with a clipboard and finally get a break from the school chairs.

Get outside:
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As we all know, middle schoolers are always begging to go work outside.  This can be a pain and is sometimes asking for trouble.  To make this work in situations were it was beneficial (like measuring shadows when doing scale, right triangles, etc.), I put blank paper on every clipboard, threw them all in a basket, and took everyone out with no hassle.  All they needed was a pencil.

With doodle notes, it can get frustrating to carry coloring supplies around if you do want to do some chill doodle time outside with a new lesson.  I've stumbled across a solution for keeping a few coloring tools on hand without dropping everything.  Here's how I have adapted a brand new set of clipboards to make all these systems more perfect.  Get ready for a fun project!
Better ways to make use of your class set of clipboards - tips and tricks
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Ok, here comes the fun, crafty part!

To use the clipboards for grouping, it's nice to have colors, numbers, and symbols/icons (I used animals) on each.  This way, you can group in different ways.  I used stencils for both the pictures and numbers, but you can do stickers to keep it easier!

Groups of 4:  Color-code.  Students can gather into groups of four by color to work or complete stations.  My set has 28 clipboards, so I grabbed 7 different paint colors.  For this, I just used tape and number stencils.  The foam dabbers work MUCH better than a brush for stenciling.  Pro Tip: Keep your foam dabber super dry for trickier shaped stencils.  Just dab over it lots of times with less paint, rather than soak it, or it will ooze through and make the stencil print messy.  
painting clipboards for a class set of numbered, grouped, and partner boards
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Once you peel off the tape, you'll have both the coloring and the numbering done, if you do it this way.  Remember, another option is to just use stickers or sharpie for the numbers, and you can add colored tape to keep it simpler.  I was going for a fun, more bold graphic design, so I chose paint and arranged the tape differently to make each one unique.  It does not have to be complicated.  This was pretty quick for me, though, because with these little jars of paint, I did not pour anything.  Just dabbed right into the jar for each one.
color coded clipboards for class grouping and more! - tips and tricks
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Two big teams:  Sometimes, you need to split your class into two large groups.  When you want to do this for a review game or something, have students with even numbered clipboards go to one side of the room, and students with odd numbers on the other.  They can keep scorecards, notes, game sheets, etc. on their clipboard, and keep all other reference materials, calculators, phones, etc. out of the playing area.  Having just the clipboard makes games run really smoothly.
strategies for teachers who use clipboards in class
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Partners:  So many math activities are perfect when done in pairs.  Get the "math talk" going and team kids up!  To pair up matching sets of clipboards, I stuck with my paint and stencil plan, but you could just use stickers instead.  For mine, each pair of matching animals on the boards means those two students will work together.
tips and tricks for customizing and using a class set of clipboards
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Numbers:  Just a side note, you can also of course just use the numbers to randomly call on a student, determine an order for presentations, etc.  There are a lot of possibilities.  You can also use these to have kids sign out a clipboard and see which one is missing.  

Another note:  I tried to make the animals "partner up" boards from two different color groups.  That way, if you want to use both grouping options in the same day, everyone can keep their clipboard and still work with a totally different person.
teacher tips - customizing and tricking out your clipboards
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Elastic Headbands:  I use a clipboard myself all the time.  Lately, it has been driving me crazy to try to carry my work along with a few pens or pencils.  Especially with doodle notes, we need to have a handful of coloring tools right with the page, and even though clipboards are supposed to make this portable, I end up dropping the colored pencils.  Or I try to line them up and balance them below the clip and tilt it just the right amount so they won't slide as I walk very carefully.  

Sometimes, I even put my phone face down to "trap" the other end of my stack of colored pens.  I finally found a little trick to help this frustration a bit.  If you slip an elastic headband over the end, it will allow you to slide a little handful of colored pencils in and keep them somewhat secure to travel around with the clipboard.  Usually, about 5 colors is enough for a doodle note page.  I like to choose a coordinating color combo, and a lot of kids do too. 

They can slide them right inside the headband and keep them handy.  (Tip: Be careful if you use the headbands with the strip of clear rubbery silicone.  Those would probably grip the pencils better but could also grip and rip the paper.)
clipboard tips and tricks for teachers
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Notice, you can tilt the page almost completely vertically and it still holds them pretty well!  So handy for working on doodle notes together on the floor, in groups, spread out in the hallway, or even outside!
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clipboard tips and tricks for teachers
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This particular set of clipboards is going to a teacher in need as part of my "Supply Sprinkle" where I am gifting materials and teaching tools to a math classroom that is lacking the funds they need.  If you or someone you know could use this type of gift showering for their math classroom, apply here!
If you are enjoying the creative teaching ideas, be sure to get subscribed here for printables, updates, and more ideas and resources sent straight to your inbox.

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26 Comments
Molly
4/15/2019 12:15:21 am

I love this! Can you tell me where you got the stencil stickers you used?

Reply
Math Giraffe link
4/15/2019 10:03:23 am

Hi Molly,
Thanks so much!
Most are from Hobby Lobby. I ordered one on Amazon too. :)
Have a great week,
-Brigid

Reply
Kellie J Barrett
4/16/2019 08:31:25 am

Love Love Love!
Thank you! I'm painting mine this week!

Reply
Math Giraffe link
4/17/2019 10:16:31 am

Hi Kellie!
YAY! That is awesome :)
Enjoy! Thank you, and have a great day!
-Brigid

Reply
'becca link
4/18/2019 02:14:26 pm

Love this idea. I have something similar but on the back of the clipboard so easy to see. I like the concept of having it 'hidden' for random groupings when kids pick a clipboard. Thank you for all your great ideas.

Reply
Math Giraffe link
4/18/2019 07:06:41 pm

Hi Becca,
So glad you like it! :)
Thanks for taking the time to check this out.
I appreciate your comment. Have a great evening,
-Brigid

Reply
Kimberly
4/19/2019 06:54:28 am

This is amazing!

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Brooke LaRosa
4/19/2019 02:28:16 pm

I love this idea! Do you put anything over the paint to keep it from chipping or scratching?

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Math Giraffe link
4/25/2019 12:14:10 pm

Hi Brooke,
I did not, but that may become an issue over time.
I’ll have to see what will work. Thanks!
Have a great day,
Brigid

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Annette McKee
4/22/2019 09:08:24 am

I love these ideas! I have a class set of dry erase boards that we use frequently with task cards and station activities. Now, I'm thinking about adding a binder clip and stickers. I'll have to experiment with the headbands.

Reply
Math Giraffe link
4/25/2019 12:09:50 pm

Hi Annette,
That sounds perfect! I wonder if it will work well on those.
Good luck, and enjoy! :) Have a great day,
-Brigid

Reply
ALISON HEERY
4/22/2019 10:11:55 pm

Saw this and loved it!! Joanns had paint on sale 2 for 80 cents and i had already done a donors choose for a set of clipboards. Using my cricut to make stencil stickers.

Reply
Math Giraffe link
4/25/2019 12:08:50 pm

Hi Alison,
That sounds awesome! What a great deal.
Makes me wish I had a cricut! So perfect.
I hope they turn out awesome! Enjoy :)
-Brigid

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Giovanna
7/1/2019 08:59:42 am

What type of paint did you use?

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Math Giraffe link
7/2/2019 10:35:41 am

Hi Giovanna,
This was "chalky finish" acrylic paint. I got it at Hobby Lobby :)
Have a great week!
-Brigid

Reply
Nicole
7/3/2019 10:54:41 pm

I love the headband idea!!! Where did you find the cool looking box to hold all the clipboards? Thanks.

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Amy
7/5/2019 01:50:44 am

I was just going to ask the same thing!!

Reply
Math Giraffe link
7/5/2019 03:35:09 pm

Hi Nicole and Amy,
This box was from Home Goods I believe! :)
Hope you enjoy this project and that it helps with the classroom flow once they are done!
Have a great day,
-Brigid

Reply
Beth
7/4/2019 03:44:15 pm

What a great resource idea. Will start looking to purchase some for next year. Can I ask what size basket do you use for storage?

Reply
Math Giraffe link
7/5/2019 03:37:16 pm

Hi Beth,
I just sent off the gifts to our classroom in need for this Supply Sprinking project, so I can't measure, but it was probably about 12 inches by 18 (?)
Thanks for reading! I hope this works well for your classroom too! :)
-Brigid

Reply
Amy
7/29/2019 01:40:20 pm

Just wondering where you got your headbands...been looking everywhere and so far no luck?

Reply
Math Giraffe link
8/3/2019 12:06:07 pm

Hi Amy,
I usually find them at sporting goods stores :)
Thanks, and have a great weekend!
-Brigid

Reply
Michelle
8/5/2020 01:05:51 pm

Hi! I'm wondering would if you would or how would you use clipboards with Covid protocols in a face-to-face classroom pandemic setting?

Reply
Math Giraffe link
8/8/2020 02:26:21 pm

Hi Michelle,
I guess pretty similarly. My newest blog post shares ideas for doodle notes in class during reopening plans, and shares some tips about using 5 colors per kid. It would be nice to just take a clipboard and spread out (6 feet apart) or even get outside for a break from the masks for a bit to do some fresh-air learning! :) The same strategies will apply. I hope these tips help! :) The kids will be desperate to get out of their seats now that group work is not happening, specials are limited, and teachers rotate rooms. Any break from the same old desk chair will go a long way. And clipboards make that possible! :) I hope your school year goes as smoothly as possible. Thanks and have a great weekend,
-Brigid

Reply
Anna
1/21/2021 04:00:29 am

This website is exactly what I needed. Thank you God. The logistics and structure of having a strong lesson. Thank you for the Block (double period) breakdowns and the ideas on using a humble clipboard - and thank God again I have 25 sitting in the garage I don't know why... I'm returning to teaching after 6 years as a non-teaching staff and many years as relief teacher due to motherhood. It's such a steep learning curve for me but your blogs have made it more breathable. Thank you

Reply
Math Giraffe link
1/23/2021 11:20:37 am

Hi Anna,
That is awesome! :) I am so glad to hear that you are enjoying all these ideas! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment. I really appreciate knowing that it has been helpful for you. I hope you are loving your time back in the classroom! Thanks, and have a great weekend,
-Brigid

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