How to Help Your Child Stay Organized

Things you will need: A crate or box to put all 6 class materials in, a calendar, colored dots (optional), and backpack.

First copy the block schedule onto a calendar:(An Example of dates only.)

Example:

August 2008
Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15 1Tech. 3 PE 5 Math	16 2L.A. 4 Soc. Stud. 6 Science	17 3 5 1	18 4 6 2	19
20	21 5 1 3	22 6 2 4	23 1 3 5	24 2 4 6	25 3 5 1	26
27	28 4 6 2	29 5 1 3	30 6 2 4	31 1 3 5

Second: Place next to each period number the class name: I did August 15 and 16 for example. If your child does better looking at color coordinating dots, then put those dots on each one of his binders. On the dot put the room number for that class. You can then place the dots on the calendar instead of writing it all out.

Third: When your child comes home (say Aug. 15), have him/her do all their homework for that day, that night (1,3,5). Then place those 3 classes materials into the crate or box, and put the next day’s classes materials (2,4,6) in their book bag. When they come home on Aug. 16, they should complete all the work for that day’s classes (2,4,6), and then put them in the crate. The book bag should then be filled with (3,5,1) books that were in the crate.

This organization should keep books in place, and the students on track. By creating a routine for them to complete homework, and study work on a timely basis, you can keep your child from being overwhelmed. If your child still feels overwhelmed with the transition, remember to contact his/her teacher for guidance. Students can also request to meet with the Trust Counselor, Mrs. Sampson.

Another method students have found successful is keeping a book bag ready for even days, and one for odd block days. Students would have to make sure that their supplies and homework for the even and odd block days are always in the correct book bag. This may work for some students too. This will not work for students who procrastinate doing their homework. Also, students should always have a book to read for the first half hour of school for sustained silent reading in homeroom.