Title: Organizational Skills for Students Marcia Laus marciala@thewatsoninstitute.org
1Organizational Skills for StudentsMarcia Laus
marciala_at_thewatsoninstitute.org
2Why Are Kids Disorganized?
3Frontal Cortex Executive Function
- Provides executive control all purposeful
actions - A neuropsychological process in the pre frontal
cortex
4This process underlies purposeful behaviors such
as
- Planning organizing
- Attention concentration
- Flexibility to try new problem solving strategies
- Abstract complex thinking
- Decision making
5And More
- Self-monitoring for accuracy
- Progress towards a goal
- Emotional responses
- Judgment reasoning
- Inhibit incorrect/inappropriate responses
6Why is Organization Difficult for Adolescents
- Changing classes no home base
- More teachers with different teaching styles
- Expectations for independence and self-regulation
higher - The Adolescent Brain
7The Adolescent Brain
- Just prior to puberty a lot of grey matter is
created, neurons develop, myelin is formed
transmission of electrical impulses speed up - This takes place in the frontal cortex of the
brain essential for such functions as response
inhibition, emotional regulation, analyzing
problems and planning Executive Functions - Executive functions continue to develop through
young adulthood (earlier in girls than in boys) - Synaptic pruning use it or lose it
eliminates weaker synapses strengthens stronger
connections
8Teaching Organization
- Labeling
- Model organization
- Options involve student in planning
organization - Frequent checks (binder, planner,)
- Routines
- Where to do homework
- When to do homework
- Get ready the night before
9P.A.C.K.
- Purge
- Accessorize
- Categorize
- Keep It Up
The Organized Student by Donna Goldberg
10Key Organizational Skills
- Organization at School
- Time Management
- Organization at Home
The Organized Student by Donna Goldberg
11Organizing Tools
- 3 ring binder or accordion file
- Desk organization
- Locker organization
- Planner
- Desktop filing system
The Organized Student by Donna Goldberg
12The Binder(s)
- Tools (dividers, pencil pouch, 3 hole punch,
pockets) - Color coding
- Schedule
- How many? AM/PM one for each class one for
entire day?
13Tools for Binder Organization
14Locker Organization
- Zones
- Books
- Supplies
- Personal Belongings
15Locker Organization
- System
- All books start on top shelf in AM
- When putting books in after class they either go
- on bottom shelf OR
- In backpack (homework)
16Locker Organization
17Locker Organization
- Include
- Schedule
- Color coding
- Organizing tools
18Locker Organization
19www.organize-everything.com
Tools for Locker Organization
www.amazon.com
www.lockerdog.com
20Other Locker Organizational Tools
www.boarddudesdirect.com
21Desk Organization
22Other Desk Organization Ideas
- Chair sacks
- Loose paper folder or envelope
- Boxes or office trays for books
- Mailboxes (gets loose papers out of desk)
- Accordion file folders
- Other????
23Locker and/or Desk Organization
- Periodic Checks
- Checklist
- Motivators
- Assistance with decluttering
24Locker ? ? No loose papers ? Books on shelf or in
backpack ? Coat and backpack on hook ? All small
items in containers ? ____________________________
____
25Assignment Planner
- Teacher check or
- Peer check
- after giving assignment have each student
explain it to a peer - Peers check each others planner
- Parent check at home
- Routine and Time
- Teach to abbreviate
- Teach to prioritize parents help at home with
this!!! - Work to do checklist
- Long Term Assignment Planning
26Work To Do Check-list
- Work To Do
- ___________________________?
- ___________________________ ?
- ___________________________ ?
- ___________________________ ?
- ___________________________ ?
- ___________________________ ?
27Long Term Project
Assignment ___________________________ _______________________________________ Assignment ___________________________ _______________________________________ Assignment ___________________________ _______________________________________ Assignment ___________________________ _______________________________________ Assignment ___________________________ _______________________________________ Date assigned Date assigned Date assigned Date assigned Date due Date due Date due
Steps to complete Steps to complete Steps to complete Steps to complete by when by when by when ? when complete ? when complete Notes Notes Notes
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Thursday Friday Friday Saturday Sunday
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
28What Can Parents Do?
- Begin slowly. Focus on one problem at a time
- Start with stuff management
- Make sure your child has a proper study space
- Help your child develop a study schedule
- Have your child study or read even when she has
no homework - Check the planner, check the backpack and folders
- Teach your child to take (approp) breaks
From Get Organized Without Losing It by Janet
Fox
29Organization at Home
- Homework Area
- Desktop File Box
- Toolkit
- Calendar (where is everybody?)
- Habits and Routines!!
- Avoid the Morning Rush
- Visual supports schedules, checklists, post
its, etc. - A place for everything and everything in its
place - Schedule times for regular decluttering
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33Desktop Organizer for Homework Desk
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35How to Study
- Mnemonic devices
- Repetition
- Variety of ways
- Movement breaks or movement while studying
- Music? On or Off??
- Ongoing (rather than cramming)
36Websites
- www.howtostudy.org
- www.studygs.net
37Schedules
- After School Schedule
- Tell Me About Today
- Mini schedules
- Work To Do Checklist
- Work Systems
- Schedules you can purchase
38Tell Me About Today
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40Available at Target