Rings for index cards----vocabulary, memorization, etc.

[Janie]

What type of good, inexpensive rings should I require my students to get to hold their index cards for vocabulary, memorization, etc.

They need a ring the allows the cards to be flipped easily, and a ring that won't come unclasped easily.

I was first thinking about those metal shower rings because they would not come apart easily, but they aren't circular enough to flip well.

There are those round rings that would flip cards well, but the clasp is kind of hooked together and not very sturdy, I'm afraid.

If I can, and if they are available at WM, I may be able to quickly add one of those 2 ring index card binders to their supply list.

What have you found is the best way to ring the cards?

Thanks!

[Camy]

Janie, I don't like using the rings, since they do not pass the Sampsonite test. Many times the cards end up tearing at the holes and coming apart from the ring. It is my preference to use a mini notecard binder as you have mentioned.

Blessings,
Camy

[Karenciavo]

I got nice sturdy rings from Office Depot, they were a couple of dollars for a box.

[Suzanne in ABQ]

I was told by a teacher lady that chicken rings from the feed store work really well. They're made of colored plastic. I think they may be small for your purpose though. And, I haven't actually tried it yet. But, if you know where to get them, it might be worth a look.

Oh, they're really cheap. And the teacher lady (she was actually a reading comprehension specialist (PhD) who gave a workshop at a homeschool conference I attended) said that if you tell the store you're a teacher, they'll frequently give you a bag full of them for free. :)

[Janie]

I love the Samsonite test phrase, Camy!

[Mary in NJ]

Rainbow Resource pg.65. The spiral round plastic fasteners are great, and page 67, the colored book rings (metal). I have ordered both of these and they hold up to my kids using their homemade flash cards from index cards. I just punch a hole in the corner, insert one of these rings/fasteners. I heard about them on this board about 3-4 years ago. They work great, and I still use them. I just remove them from one set of cards and re-use them in a new set.

Hope this helps.

[angela in ohio]

We also like the spiral round plastic ones from Rainbow. They carry these at our local teacher supply store, too.

[Janie]

Sooo, maybe I could use the rest of the box of hog nose rings we have left over? They are larger and obviously more sturdy! I even have the tool to put them on with.

Hmmm, I also have part of a box of calf rings for banding calves you-know-whats and the tool for those as well. Oh, yeah, those are a solid ring and wouldn't work. But, oh boy, (well, they take the boy out of boy :D ), wouldn't the students remember those little things!

[Suzanne in ABQ]

Something tells me you know more about these animal rings than I do! :)

I can't answer with certainty about the hog nose rings, but if you need a special tool to close them, I imagine you wouldn't have a problem with them opening!

Please let us know if you try them. I might look for hog nose rings instead of chicken rings. Or both. Who knows! I'll probably skip the calf rings, though. :)

[Mrs Mungo]

I got nice sturdy rings from Office Depot, they were a couple of dollars for a box.

Yep, that's what I use. The metal rings you buy in the office supply section, they work great.