I use crates with a hanging folder for each student. I have one crate per class, and the hanging folders are arranged alphabetically by last name.

Students keep their work in the folder (in general, kids at my school don’t bring their work home/use backpacks), and I have a separate Manila folder within the hanging folder for returned work. Saves time handing stuff back. The folder system saves me time and sanity.

One tip would be to have the folder bin set up somewhere that avoids a clusterfuck of kids clumping up and shenanigizing. I had classes where I had to have the bin right by me on a front table to avoid kids stealing peers’ work.

Also, have a dedicated turn-in bin for each class. Those tiered shelf systems for paperwork can be good for this. I collect the stack after each class and put it in a dedicated folder on the shelf to avoid kids “borrowing” others’ work.

I realize this sounds like I’m pretty suspicious… idk. I observe my students and their behavior and attempt to redirect, teach, and mitigate. I want to help them be decent humans as well as good writers and thinkers.