Beyond Folders : students

The ABCs of Organizing for Students

Community Manager — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 09:17:00 GMT

This school year, teach your children the most valuable lesson they will ever learn: how to be organized. Long after state capitals and algebraic equations are forgotten, the ability to organize one's time and belongings will serve your student well.

Why Get Organized?

Being organized increases productivity, improves student achievement and reduces stress. Being organized also increases free time for leisure pursuits. Other benefits include:

A (relatively) neat desk, book bag and room
A workable system for tracking assignments and managing a weekly schedule
The ability to tackle big projects that require planning over time
Decreased stress; feeling in control, rather than overwhelmed
The ability to make healthy lifestyle choices such as time for exercise and a decent bedtime

Getting Started

Students aren't born organized, they need to be coached on the basics of organization just as they would any skill. Equip your student for organization with the right set of tools:

Three-Ring Binder: The linchpin of organization; ensure it can hold papers for a particular grading period.
Folders: Three-holed pocket folders corral paperwork. Encourage your child to think about what kind of paper comes home from school, label each folder accordingly.
Calendar or Day Planner: Provides a big-picture view of schedules and helps with time-management. Parents should let children manage their schedules, but can offer guidance. Demonstrate how you manage your own calendar.
A stack of 3×5 index cards: A cheap, portable means to create lists, notes and study guides. Index cards are perfect for test review.
Designated Study Zone: Designate a distraction-free place for work. Work in a quiet, low-traffic area and set boundaries for desk use: i.e. storing books on the desk is okay, while electronic games are not.

Make it a Habit

Good study habits are created with repetition. New habits take time to become routine; parents should monitor initial progress and then slowly, give a child room to manage on their own.

Parents can help by:

Going over the child's list of homework assignments
Asking your child to create a to-do list of priorities, then vetting the list
Building in time to proof and review work
For long-term projects, demonstrate how to break the work down into a series of steps. Have your child plot out a timeline for completion.
Encourage your student to check off each item on the to-do list

Effective Time-Management

Parents can help their students manage homework and sports schedules by teaching students about time-blocking: the process of designating specific blocks of time each day for tackling particular activities or tasks. Students should examine their daily schedule and homework to-do list and establish timelines for all tasks.

Other time-blocking tips include:

Keep it real: Set realistic time-blocks; allow time for snacks, transitions and breaks.
Interruption-free zone: Schedule blocks of uninterrupted time each day. Close the bedroom door; turn off the phone and keep younger siblings away. Students should tackle tasks that require deep concentration during this time-block.

Finally, remember that organization must be learned and practiced to become a habit. Parents can and should guide their students but should ultimately allow their students to take the lead.

Expanding Mobile File Cases Free You Up

Community Manager — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 13:16:00 GMT

13 Pocket Expanding File

Slim smartphones and wafer thin tablets let you work on the go. Make sure your other work tools are equally mobile friendly.

Maximize your ability to work from anywhere with a portable expanding file cabinet. Yes, you read that right. Take your "cabinet" on the go with a Pendaflex Sliding Cover 13-Pocket Expanding File.

The slim lines of the expanding file case expand to 13 separate letter-size compartments, perfect for sorting and securing must-have documents. Use the self-adhesive blank labels for simple printer-free labeling and sorting. The rugged poly construction resists wear and moisture; the elastic closure keeps contents secure.

Don't let the professional, black-on-black case design fool you; this tool is also perfect for home use. Keep one in the kitchen to capture school papers; designate another to house all your bill-paying needs. Savvy time-pressed cooks can use the case to ease daily meal-planning. Keep shopping lists, recipes and coupons sorted and ready to go. And students will far prefer to tote this streamlined case over heavy binders any day.

The smart design offers a wide, expanding bottom for maximum stability and a unique sliding cover that hides completely away. No more flopping files or slithery covers that repeatedly slide shut. Keep one on your work desk for active files, and another on your kitchen counter for your active life.

To purchase the Pendaflex Sliding Cover 13-Pocket Expanding Fil e, visit our Facebook shop.

Operation Organized: Getting Your Students Ready For School

Community Manager — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:41:00 GMT

It's back-to-school time. Reading, writing and arithmetic may be the main curriculum, but the back-to-school season provides an opportunity to teach your student another crucial life skill: how to get organized.

Organization ABCs

Set up a Study Space: Designate an area just for study; keep homework supplies handy in a box or bin.

Crack the Color Code: Introduce the concept of color coding, buying folders, notebooks and binders in different colors for different subjects.

Create a Command Cubby: Children should have a designated crate or box near the front door for offloading their backpacks and key school items.

Calendar: Buy your child a portable calendar or planner. Teach her how to write down assignments, test dates and other important happenings. Have her keep track of classmates' e-mails and phone information here.

Lead by Example: Keep things neat and organized in your own life; children learn by observing. Show them how you make and use to-do lists. Demonstrate how you tackle chores such as bill paying before you reward yourself with a book or TV show. Model efficiency and productive work habits and you'll soon see those traits in your children.

For more tips for getting your kids organized for school read Help Your Child Get Organized and Ten Ways to Help Your Child Get Organized.

How do you help your children get organized for school? Share your thoughts here and on the Beyond Folders Community's Facebook and Twitter pages.

by Bradley Eggers