What should ORGANIZATION l ook like for a middle schooler ?

1. What should ORGANIZATION look like for a middle schooler? Learning Objective: I will understand how to help my child get/stay organized with MATERIALS and TIME so that he/she can be successful in middle school!

2. Part 1: BINDERS

3. Step 1: Use the right tools • 3-ring notebook that is at least 2 inches wide. • Dividers • A pencil pouch or similar

4. Step 2: Dividers Labeled • Label each divider with a class name • Some students preferto put them in the order that they have the classes during the day • Most students will probably need dividers for: • LANGUAGE ARTS • SCIENCE • SOCIAL STUDIES • MATH • HEALTH/FITNESS • ELECTIVE (Computer Essentials, art, or music)

5. Step 3: Papers Sorted • First, separate papers by class/period • Recycle any papers no longer needed* • Be sure all papers are hole punched.

6. Step 4: Place papers in binder • Put each classes’ papers behind that class section • If you have many papers for one particular class (maybe from earlier units of study), you might consider keeping some in a box or file at home. • Again, be sure everything is hole-punched!

7. Step 5: Odds & Ends • School supplies: pencils and pens should go in a pouch kept in the front of the binder • Blank notebook paper: it’s a good idea to have a small supply of notebook paper in the front or back of your binder. It is not necessary to carry a whole ream at a time. Keep the extra in the locker or at home.

8. Step 6: Maintenance • MOST IMPORTANT: • hole punch all papers • place paper in the correct section. DO NOT JUST PUT IT IN THE FRONT OR BACK POCKET OR SHOVE IT IN AND ZIP (if you have a zippered notebook) • The binder should be cleaned out frequently (once a week or every other week). Take unneeded papers home to file/store or recycle ones you no longer need. I tell students to keep papers through the end of a unit of study (and at least until they have seen them entered correctly in Skyward)

9. Step 6: Maintenance If your child struggles to MAINTAIN, offer help/support at home! Many parents think middle school students don’t/shouldn’t need this help….but they do!! Ideas: • Check in once a week to file/sort/organize papers and/or clean outI • If it looks great – consider a reward!

10. Step 6: Maintenance Some students are hard on their binders and may need replacement supplies through the year. Check in once per quarter with them on this. Do the rings close properly? Are the dividers still in place? Are the pockets ripped/usable?

11. Test it Out • Can your student locate a certain paper in their binder in 10 seconds or less? If the answer is NO, then the binder is not well enough organized!

12. Other Ideas • You might also consider a separate section or place for homework • Many classes keep calendars or assignment sheets or learning logs, those should always be placed at the front of that classes' section

13. An Organized Binder means… • Fewer lost papers and having to re-do work that was already completed • Students are one step closer to earning good grades in each of their classes. • Students have a life skill that helps in high school, college and in their future careers!

14. Part 2: At Home

15. Set up a STUDY TIME routine • Decide on a set time each day for this activity • Kids thrive on structure • Downtime/snack time and then study? • Before/after dinner? • Might take several weeks before it becomes a habit • Study time should be in a public place, not in their bedroom with the door shut • KITCHEN TABLE? • COUCH? • DESK?

16. STUDY TIME Allow your child to make choices about homework and related issues. He or she can choose to do study time before or after dinner or immediately after getting home. Or your child may choose to wake up early in the morning to do it. Invite your child to choose the kitchen table or another public location. One choice your child does not have is whether or not to study.

17. Study TIME Routine • They should check over each section of binder for classwork • Look at assignment sheet(s)/calendar/learning log • Complete work that is unfinished. • Put it back in the right spot in the binder. Use sections for each class OR front pocket.

18. Model the Behavior • Use study time to get some of your own responsibilities handled. Do the dishes, pay bills, fold laundry, or write thank you notes. Keep the TV off! If you engage in fun or noisy activities during that time, your child will naturally be distracted. Study time is a family commitment. If you won’t commit to it, don’t expect your child to do so.

19. Parent Help • Help without overfunctioning. Help only if your child asks for it. Do not do problems or assignments for your child. • When your child says, "I can't do it," say, “Act as if you can.” Tell your child to pretend that he or she knows what to do and to see what happens. Then leave the immediate area, and let your child see if he or she can handle it from there. If your child keeps telling you he or she doesn't know how and you decide to offer help, concentrate on asking rather than on telling. Ask: • "What do you get?""What parts do you understand?""Can you give me an example?""What do you think the answer is?""How could you find out?"

20. “I don’t have any homework.” • First, is this really true??? Verify with Family Access! • Most teachers post a link to the assignment if you aren’t sure what it is. Alternatives: • Read for 20 minutes • Review notes taken in class • Have students quiz you on what they are learning Use the Weekends to catch up! Your weekend “fun” activities don’t begin until your HW or missing work is complete.

21. Getting Materials Back/Forth to School Efficiently • Have a designated spot for all school items that need to go back/forth: backpack, computer, etc. • near the door? • By kitchen table/breakfast area? • Be sure to put completed work back in your binder to take to school the next day

22. Thursdays: HW Help

23. Part 3: TECHNOLOGY

24. Laptop Care • Do you have a charging station at home? • MANY students are coming to school without the laptop charged…which results in lost productivity while at school

25. Laptop Care • There should NOT be any papers inside the laptop case Add picture here from student

26. Laptop Use • Just because a student is on their laptop doesn’t mean they are doing class work.  • If they have missing work, take the laptop away for fun/games (they do often need the laptop FOR completing class work) • Laptop should be used in a public place at home / not in bedroom • Feel free to monitor usage I have had students email/turn work in at 2 am! Some are on it all night.

27. PHONES • Many students bring their phone to class and are actively using it throughout the day • It is supposed to be off/away during class times • Students have trouble disconnecting when the bell rings • Music/earbuds often prevent students from hearing directions or announcements • Many students are distracted by their phone. Set it aside while completing work at home.

28. Other Thoughts • If you want a behavior, you have to teach a behavior. Disorganization is a problem for many school-age children. If you want your child to be organized, you have to invest the time to help your child learn an organizational system. Your job is to teach the system. Your child’s job is to use it. Yes, check occasionally to see if the system is being used, especially at first. Provide direction and correction where necessary. • If your child needs help with time management, teach him or her time management skills. Help your child learn what it means to prioritize according to the importance and due date of each task. Teach your child to create an agenda each time he or she sits down to study. Help your child experience the value of getting the most important things done first.

29. Other Thoughts • Replace monetary and external rewards with encouraging verbal responses. End the practice of paying for grades or rewarding with a special trip for ice cream. This style of bribery has only short-term gains and does little to encourage children to develop a lifelong love of learning. • Instead, make positive verbal comments that concentrate on describing the behavior you wish to encourage. For example: • "You followed the directions exactly and finished in 15 minutes." • "I notice you stayed up late last night working on your term paper. It probably wasn't easy saving that much for the end, but your efforts got it done." • "All your letters are right between the lines. I'll bet your teacher won't have any trouble reading this." • "I see you got the study table all organized and ready to go early. Looks to me like initiative and responsibility hooked together."