I’m weird. I’ll admit it. I’m one of those people that is allergic to everything. I could list all my known allergies, but honestly, do you care? Probably not. I’ll save myself a lot of typing and you a lot of yawning. Long story short, one of the things I’m allergic to is the glue that bonds the layers of cardboard together. So basically I can’t touch the corrugated part without breaking out in little blisters all over my hands.

Are you a teacher? Read on, because I came up with a fancy little hack for those expensive plastic privacy folders/desk screens our students use when they are taking tests!!!  I love the pricey ones like these from Really Good Stuff. However, I have two issues with them. One, they are bulky and I would have to have a special storage place for them in my classroom. (Insert sarcastic laugh, because I don’t have storage space I’m willing to give up.) Now, if I won the lottery, and could have my dream classroom (yes, I’d still work because I’d be bored out of my mind if I didn’t) with ample storage, I’d purchase these handy plastic dividers. They are awesome! But I am not going to win the lottery because I don’t play the lottery. So cost is my second issue with those beauties. I simply can’t afford them. They do make a less expensive version in cardboard, but remember I’m allergic to it. So that option is out for me.

The “privacy folders” I used last year were okay, but I really didn’t want to implement that exact system. (Two manila file folders stapled together. I was constantly re-stapling.) So I kept thinking what could I do to have sturdy privacy folders without giving in and ordering the cardboard dividers? Enter, my idea. The best part(s)? They are fairly sturdy AND they fold to fit in individual desks!

You will need two folders and Duck Tape for this project. I chose the sturdier laminated paper folders from Wal-Mart that are $0.37 each. I purchased 60 folders in all, and 2 rolls of Duck Tape @ $2.97/roll. So with tax, this project costs right about $1.00/student!

Step 1- Tear a strip of Duck Tape to be a tad bit longer than the folders. There is a flap of the folder (the pink edge in the first picture) that I used as my guideline for the tape.

Step 2-  Follow the edge and place the tape along the entire outer length of the folder. Line up the second folder back to back with the first folder with the taped edge. Lightly fold the tape over to the second folder and attach it in one small area just to help you line it up. Press down the entire outer length of the second folder once aligned. The folders WILL NOT TOUCH. This promotes the flexibility and ability to fold the folder to fit inside the students’ desks. (Notice the extra tape at the ends of the folders in the third picture.)

Step 3-  Fold the excess tape over onto the sticky side. Tear another strip of the tape and place sticky side to sticky side (this will be the outside of the folder) and fold the excess tape onto the other side. Now there will not be any sticky tape showing.

Step 4-  (Please excuse the dirty carpet, junk in the background, and pajama pants. This is my living room, and, well, we live in it! Plus it’s after midnight and I’m in comfy pants. So?) Now, you should have two folders taped together as one big “privacy folder.” The second picture shows you that you can individually fold the two folders, and the third picture shows how the two folders fold together into one “privacy folder.”

I am sure someone else has already come up with this technique somewhere in the world. But I can assure you, I didn’t purposely steal this idea from someone! I seriously stood in the school supply aisle tonight and figured this out. My husband can back me up, he was very bored while watching and waiting for me. But he never complained. 🙂

Hope this helps you AND saves you money! I’m excited about it! Now I have to figure out a way to keep my 2nd graders responsible for taking care of these folders…… 😉