Lesson Plans

School days, school days...they're here again. And we have some schoolwork organization tips for ensuring that your child’s organizing skills make the grade.

 One thing you can always be certain about when your children begin a new school year... the paperwork will build and build. To avoid the distressing notion of losing an important homework assignment, or misplacing vital notes needed for an upcoming test, or losing track of just about any other kind of school-related document, we offer the following schoolwork organization tips.

Devote separate folders to individual subjects.
Sometimes, students (and their Moms) may think it's best to stuff several subject assignments for example math and science into the same 2-pocket folder. Invariably, the papers will get mixed up, causing confusion. Instead, designate one folder for math and another for science...and title them clearly on the front.

Divide ring binders by subject.
Much the same as pocket folders, ring binders can become confusing if they're not organized the right way. Rather than just placing papers into the binder in any old order, insert a subject tab divider (or tabbed index) to divide the binder into sections that can be referenced quickly just by flipping to the respective tab. Also, add clear 3-hole-punched sheet protectors to your students ring binders, helping to protect important assignments while also better organizing them.

Keep working papers apart from archive papers.
Every student has longer-term projects, such as term papers, that are typically completed over several weeks or months. And of course, students also have homework on an ongoing basis. For enhanced organizing efficiency, do not mix these working project papers with documents that have already been completed...such as older homework assignments that have been graded and returned by the teacher. Older papers can be placed into their own archive folder for safekeeping.

Stay away from the urge to overstuff folders.
As the school year progresses, most students will cram as much paper as is humanly possible into each folder until the folder is literally overflowing. The result is usually a mess, where specific papers are difficult to find. If a pocket folder begins to get crammed, start a new one. Another hint: pocket folders come in several colors, so let’s say you're starting a new folder for history assignments and the existing history folder is blue. Also make the new folder blue, creating a family look for the students history assignments.