Organizational Skills for Students Marcia Laus marciala@thewatsoninstitute

1. Organizational Skills for StudentsMarcia Laus marciala@thewatsoninstitute.org

2. Why Are Kids Disorganized?

3. Frontal Cortex & Executive Function Provides executive control – all purposeful actions A neuropsychological process in the pre frontal cortex

4. This process underlies purposeful behaviors such as: • Planning & organizing • Attention & concentration • Flexibility to try new problem solving strategies • Abstract & complex thinking • Decision making

5. And More: • Self-monitoring for accuracy • Progress towards a goal • Emotional responses • Judgment & reasoning • Inhibit incorrect/inappropriate responses

6. Why 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”

7. The 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

8. Teaching 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

9. P.A.C.K. • Purge • Accessorize • Categorize • Keep It Up The Organized Student by Donna Goldberg

10. Key Organizational Skills • Organization at School • Time Management • Organization at Home The Organized Student by Donna Goldberg

11. Organizing Tools • 3 ring binder or accordion file • Desk organization • Locker organization • Planner • Desktop filing system The Organized Student by Donna Goldberg

12. The 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?

13. Tools for Binder Organization

14. Locker Organization • Zones: • Books • Supplies • Personal Belongings

15. Locker 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)

16. Locker Organization

17. Locker Organization • Include • Schedule • Color coding • Organizing tools

18. Locker Organization

19. www.organize-everything.com Tools for Locker Organization www.amazon.com www.lockerdog.com

20. Other Locker Organizational Tools www.boarddudesdirect.com

21. Desk Organization

22. Other 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????

23. Locker and/or Desk Organization • Periodic Checks: • Checklist • Motivators • Assistance with “decluttering”

24. Locker   No loose papers  Books on shelf or in backpack  Coat and backpack on hook  All small items in containers  ________________________________

25. Assignment 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

26. Work To Do Check-list Work To Do: ___________________________ ___________________________  ___________________________  ___________________________  ___________________________  ___________________________ 

27. Long Term Project

28. What 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

29. Organization 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”

33. Desktop Organizer for Homework Desk

35. How to Study • Mnemonic devices • Repetition • Variety of ways • Movement breaks or movement while studying • Music? On or Off?? • Ongoing – (rather than cramming)

36. Websites • www.howtostudy.org • www.studygs.net

37. Schedules • After School Schedule • Tell Me About Today • Mini schedules • Work To Do Checklist • Work Systems • Schedules you can purchase

38. Tell Me About Today

40. Available at Target