organization at school, found a solution that worked for us

I do think that organization is the thing that will make or break a child’s success in school. They need to know what to do, when it is due and then do it and turn it in. The Mac organizer looks great if you will use all those features. We have used simpler methods effectively, but I think it depends on each child. Currently my son’s school uses a planner, a notebook and a homework folder. The homework folder works well for him because he puts all papers in it. The planner is not useful because of his writing difficulties. I found a little digital recorder that he could just speak into for memos. At school, I had my students use a 3 ring binder with sections and a pocket in the front cover. All current work, to do and to return, went in the front pocket. Returned papers, notes, handouts, went in the section for that subject. I think the big thing is helping your child stay organized. It is not natural for many kids. Homework, first thing, organize. Sometimes those classes end so fast that all they have time to do is shove the paper in their backpack. Later at home, with your help those papers need to be sorted and priortized. Backpacks and notebooks are public property open to me every day if needed. My son is in high school and I still help myself to his backpack and notebook nightly. What is this? When is it due? Where should you put it? We also have a basket/box that holds all work taken out of the notebook or backpack, just in case it is needed again. We throw away during the summer. Some of my students with the greatest difficulties had no one helping them sort papers. Their backpacks were blackholes. I know we want them to be independent, but we have to teach them how.

“I know we want them to be independent, but we have to teach them how.”

So well said! This is what my son’s teacher didn’t get this year, and he was only in the 3rd grade!! Thanks for sharing this.

Geez, I dread MS. We do begin to change classes (my daughter will have 3 teachers this year in 5th). She uses a dana - which has a palm pilot feature including an alarm to remind her when it’s almost time to change classes - so she’ll have time to prepare. It’s going to be a challenge!

I looked at the Mac organizer - you can make this yourself a bit cheaper I think.
My middle school child is impossible with a binder, the only thing that with stands his usage is plastic folder inserts that have been taped at holes and then hole punched again for extra strength. I use the clear packing tape or the pull strip tape strips. Everything is reinforced with extra tape including the tabs on the folders it works great.
The only problem we have is the binder ring, no matter what I buy he seems to do something to it that creates a space in the rings. Any thoughts anyone on binders to use?
I have to check his binder nightly for organization and make him straighten it out if papers are not in the right spots, I hope someday he will soon be independent with this. Using this system has helped with losing papers etc.. I find Joan Sedita (not sure if last name is spelled right), and work at Landmark School very helpful.

It helped that our middle school had a school wide format for how papers were to be titled. All teachers adhered to the same format - Name, date, subject, period in the top left hand corner. For my son (fine motor issues) we made up labels that he could put in the corner instead of trying to write (sometimes the teacher is well into the lesson and our kids are trying to put their heading on the paper) or the heading never gets on and their paper gets turned in with no name. For one of my students with directional issues, we made a template out of card stock with a space cut out where the heading goes and a sample of the heading right next to it. No more name on the wrong corner or notebook holes on the wrong side (dear, you’re writing on the backside of the page). Middle school - you want to fit in and have your papers look like everyone elses pretty much. Appearance (of your work) is important.

:oops: Can anyone give me advice on how to keep my backpack neat next school year? I get a week into school & my backpack is a mess, I have no organizational skills (plus nobody takes the time to teach me). I only have 1 class this year but I know I will need a notebook! :oops:

Teddy — I have had a fight with this all my life. I have never exactly gotten organized the way any other people do it — but last week when my daughter lost her wallet including her green card, I remembered that I had made copies, and after five years and three house moves was able to tell her where to find her papers tp get back across the border (I deserve a medal or maybe sainthood for this); so success is possible!

(1) Skin the backpack down to the bare necessities. A three-prong folder with pocket covers, to hold *all* the papers from the class (notes and punched paper in the prongs, tests etc in pockets; lots of looseleaf paper clipped *into* the folder; the class text; several pens; a graphing calculator for math; and NOTHING else. You’re having trouble organizing; add ten more objects and you have ten more things to mess up. Loose papers are deadly.
Your text, note folder, and pens live in the backpack (and nothing else does.) Each time you finish working with them, put them right back into it.

(2) Write homework assignments in a visible and clear place. If it’s short enough, write on the inside cover of the folder. Hard to lose.

(3) Label everything *first*. Of course the name is on the folder. As you start an assignment — in your folder, in the back so you can take it out *when* done — put your name and the page number of the assignment and the numbers of any questions being answered on the paper *before* you write anything else.
Scrap paper and doing all work over twice is a waste of time, a method of showing mistrust of your own learning, and a guaranteed method of getting messed up and losing things.

(4) Get file boxes or crates at Walmart or someplace similar. File full note folders and other important papers in them. It’s nice to now and then try to put these files in order, but at least if everything is in the file box, you know where it is.

Other suggestions for the organizationally-challenged/disastrous available on request.

This is working woderfully! Thanks! :D :!: