Tips and Tricks: Storing File Folder Pieces

As you may have figured out, I LOVE file folder games. I think it is great that they are self-contained, you can store all the pieces together, and they are perfect for independent work systems because with Velcro, they stay together so you can check them when it’s finished. However, the one snag I always ran into was how to keep the pieces with the file folder. I tried a ziplock bag velcroed to the back, but it always seemed to detach itself. I can store the pieces on the Velcro for the file folder itself. However, if there are more pieces than items on the folder, there aren’t enough spaces. And, when I get ready for the student to use it, I have to dis-assemble the pieces for the student to complete it.

This is where friends come to the rescue! Several years ago a teacher (I’m sorry that I don’t remember who) shared this tip with me and I wanted to share it with you. You put the extra pieces in a Ziplock bag. Then take a piece of clear packing tape–the thick kind used to seal packages (yea, hence packing tape)–and cut it slightly longer than the width of the Ziplock bag.

Put the tape just underneath the zipper of the baggie (like below).

The pieces can be stored inside.

And you can still open and close it as you can see below.

Thanks to my sister, Superteach56 for her willing photography of the strategy while she was making a file folder game. Anyone have other ways that work for them to fasten the pieces to file folder activities?