The Best Organization Skill for Students
You are collecting homework, and once again you have 4 students who can’t seem to find their assignments.
And yup, it just happens to be the same 4, who couldn’t find their assignments yesterday, either.
They all promise you that they completed it. But they just can’t find it. Maybe it’s at home. Maybe it’s in their locker. Maybe it’s somewhere in the messy stack of papers that get shoved into their binder each day.
Not only are you frustrated, but you can feel their frustration too.
With a sigh, you give them new copies of the assignment. And you HOPE they will find their way back to you completed. But it’s no surprise that you have your doubts.
And yup, it just happens to be the same 4, who couldn’t find their assignments yesterday, either.
They all promise you that they completed it. But they just can’t find it. Maybe it’s at home. Maybe it’s in their locker. Maybe it’s somewhere in the messy stack of papers that get shoved into their binder each day.
Not only are you frustrated, but you can feel their frustration too.
With a sigh, you give them new copies of the assignment. And you HOPE they will find their way back to you completed. But it’s no surprise that you have your doubts.
I have been in those shoes. I have felt that frustration. Especially teaching 6th grade, where the organization is a developmentally challenging skill for many students.
Add in the overwhelm of moving from the elementary setting to the middle school setting, and it’s amazing some of these poor kiddos survive.
I spent 5 years teaching 6th grade in the self-contained, elementary setting and 10 years teaching 6th grade in the middle school environment. Which means, I am often asked by parents and colleagues alike, if I think 6th grade students belong in elementary or middle school.
My answer is, both.
It is a very transitional year for students. A lot of growth is happening, and as we know, not every student grows and develops at the same rate.
Every year, I see students who would benefit being in elementary and just as many who would benefit being in middle school.
Which means my task as a 6th grade teacher is to help students prepare and then adjust to middle school life.
In this post, I’m going to share with you my #1, BEST strategy for helping students with organization struggles so they can get their homework turned in on time.
The Organizational Challenge
In my experience, there are two aspects to this organizational challenge.
From One Classroom to Six: Once you reach middle school, gone are the days of having everything you need in your desk or cubby. Now students are faced with carrying all their supplies from class to class. It’s easy to get things lost in the shuffle, and grab the wrong folder.
Naturally Organized Personalities: Let’s face it, some of us are naturally organized and some of us are not. It’s part of who we are. I’ve heard some people refer to it as being Type A or Type B. Type A being super organized and ahead of schedule. Those who are Type B tend to be unorganized and a lot more laid back.
From One Classroom to Six: Once you reach middle school, gone are the days of having everything you need in your desk or cubby. Now students are faced with carrying all their supplies from class to class. It’s easy to get things lost in the shuffle, and grab the wrong folder.
Naturally Organized Personalities: Let’s face it, some of us are naturally organized and some of us are not. It’s part of who we are. I’ve heard some people refer to it as being Type A or Type B. Type A being super organized and ahead of schedule. Those who are Type B tend to be unorganized and a lot more laid back.
The Strategy
This one strategy is perfect for either of these challenges.
What you need is – drum roll please….
What you need is – drum roll please….
That's right. It's the Homework Folder!
I know this concept is popular in the elementary world for sending papers and communication between teacher and parent. But what many don’t realize is that this strategy is also perfect for the student to use independently. After all, that is our goal right? To help students become successful, responsible learners?
All you need is a two-pocket folder. That’s it. Nice and simple.
|
On the front, label: HOMEWORK FOLDER and student name (first and last! Don’t forget, you’re in middle school now and there are likely 5 other students with the same first name!) |
|
On the inside, label on the left: TO-DO This is for work that needs to be finished. On the inside, label on the right: TURN IN This is for work that is done and ready to turn in. |
|
How It Works
The Homework Folder now becomes the go-to folder for every piece of homework your student encounters.
Which means, this folder goes with them to every single class, every single day. It also goes home with them every single night.
If a homework assignment is handed out, it goes straight to the left hand pocket to be completed.
When it’s work time, the student takes the papers out of the left pocket to complete. When they are done, they go in the right hand pocket to be turned in.
Then the next day in class, the student removes the completed assignment from the right hand pocket.
It may seem simple, but that is the beauty of it. It is simple and that’s why it works.
Which means, this folder goes with them to every single class, every single day. It also goes home with them every single night.
If a homework assignment is handed out, it goes straight to the left hand pocket to be completed.
When it’s work time, the student takes the papers out of the left pocket to complete. When they are done, they go in the right hand pocket to be turned in.
Then the next day in class, the student removes the completed assignment from the right hand pocket.
It may seem simple, but that is the beauty of it. It is simple and that’s why it works.
The Next Steps
Now there are other aspects to consider, like also carrying a planner/agenda to write down assignments and keeping notes about whether or not a textbook/notebook is needed for the homework. But for the most part, this one, quick, easy to implement strategy can make a huge difference in student organizational success.
If you are looking for other simple strategies to help your students master their organizational skills, then check out Chapter 2 of my Study Skills Curriculum, which is all about Student Organization. There are even flexible materials available that include a flipped classroom video, where I explain simple organization structures to students for you!
If you are looking for other simple strategies to help your students master their organizational skills, then check out Chapter 2 of my Study Skills Curriculum, which is all about Student Organization. There are even flexible materials available that include a flipped classroom video, where I explain simple organization structures to students for you!
You May Also Like...
Let's Connect...
Welcome! I'm Hillary Midgley, a veteran 6th grade teacher.
I create educational materials and develop curriculum for other teachers. I specialize in teaching students how to learn through my Study Skills Curriculum. I have established fundamental classroom systems and structures for teachers to help them streamline their classroom. And my passion is teaching ancient history through engaging activities with foundations in academic skills. Here you will find resources on all of these topics and more. Learn more about me here.
|
|
|
|
