[jov]

Here's what I do. I teach the kids what to do the first week. After hanging up their coats, they must do the following before doing anything else.
1 - Put homework in the homework basket.
2 - Give all notes, money, papers, etc. directly to me.
3 - Trade in their take-home book and put it in their homework older.
4 - Put folder in their desk.

I have captains pass out new homework and other take-home papers later, after morning announcements, so I can watch and be sure it goes directly into the folders. Kids keep the folders in their desks all day and put finished papers in them when appropriate. Then the folder goes in the backpack at "prep for home" time.