I like my laptop, my Chromebook, my smaller laptop, my new phone that talks to me, my Kindle and all my sundry pieces of technology. I’m not exactly technowoman, but I’m low on the fear scale for new technology. Hand the damn device to me and I’ll figure out how to make it work.

That said, I recommend the lowly journal or notebook. I pick smaller ones that easily fit in a purse or the bag I sling across my shoulder in class. Notebooks are invaluable. My scrawlings include the random bits of teacherly life: Get Amos a rock worksheet, print fossils for Merry, Juan y+17=22, call home Alex pencil, etc. The advantage of my notebook is that I can whip the thing out in class as I walk through the aisles and record my random thoughts in a few seconds. The many small details in the average classroom proliferate as the day goes by and without my little notebook I might never get the make-up work to Merry or find out why Alex never has supplies.

The little bag is by Kipling and I love it. Any major department store will have a set of good options.