Organization

Linda Dallam, when assistant principal for middle school, made a presentation to the Julian PTO March 9, 2004.  The topic was curriculum with information on organization.
 
STUDENT PLANNER

ROOM TO RECORD:
 
DAILY WORK IN CLASS
DAILY HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS
MEDIUM AND LONG-RANGE PROJECT DEADLINES (and check-in dates)
COMMENTS
 

HOMEWORK COMPLETION

A PLACE THAT IS EQUIPPED WITH:
SPACE
GOOD LIGHTING
QUIET
READY ACCESS TO SUPPLIES
 
A PLACE THAT IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH:
EASILY ACCESSIBLE PHONE
TV/VCR/DVD/STEREO EQUIPMENT OR CD PLAYER
OTHER DISTRACTIONS

TOOLS TO ASSIST ORGANIZATION

MULTI-COLORED BINDERS AND FOLDERS
ONE 3-RING BINDER DEDICATED TO CMP MATH (702 OR 802)
ZIPPER BAG FOR SUPPLIES THAT FASTENS IN A BINDER (for pencils, pens, 6” ruler, calculator, small scissors, etc.)
ALL SUPPLIES LISTED ON THE BEGINNING-OF-THE-YEAR SUPPLY LIST  (might consider a portable 3-ring punch)

BOOKBAG MAINTENANCE

WEEKLY CLEANOUT, WITH A PLACE TO SAVE ITEMS NEEDED FOR STUDY/REVIEW LATER (FOLDER, PERHAPS)
CHECK FOR UNNECESSARY ITEMS (which add to the weight and bulk of the bag)
CHECK FOR COMPLETED ASSIGNMENTS THAT SHOULD BE HANDED IN
LOAD AND ORGANIZE THE BOOKBAG BEFORE GOING TO BED AT NIGHT
(LAY OUT CLOTHES FOR THE NEXT DAY, TOO!)

LOCKER MAINTENANCE

ORGANIZE ITEMS ON THE BOTTOM SHELF OF THE LOCKER LIKE BOOKS ON A LIBRARY SHELF
PUT ALL SMALL, LOOSE ITEMS ON THE TOP SHELF (including lunch bag, extra supplies, paperbacks, hats, etc.)
HANG COAT/JACKET/BOOKBAG ON HOOKS
CLEAN LOCKER OUT REGULARLY
(at least every other week)

HOMEWORK AS A ROUTINE

STUDENT SHOULD CHECK THE PLANNER TO SEE WHAT TONIGHT’S HOMEWORK IS (so the correct text, binder, spiral, etc. is put in the book bag and taken home)
DO HOMEWORK AT THE SAME TIME DAILY
IF NO HOMEWORK IS ASSIGNED FOR AN EVENING, USE THIS TIME FOR READING (not as a night off)
ASK TO SEE HOMEWORK THAT IS REPORTED AS “DONE”

SUGGESTIONS FOR USE OF THE STUDENT PLANNER

CHECK TO SEE IF EACH DAY IS RECORDED (if no homework, then it should be recorded as “no homework” not just blank)
IF THIS IS A PROBLEM, ASK THE TEACHER TO INITIAL (daily or weekly) WHEN IT IS FILLED IN CORRECTLY
CHECK FOR THE TEACHER’S SIGNATURE AND INITIAL IT
IF WORK COMPLETION IS A PROBLEM, ASK THE TEACHER TO CIRCLE ANY INCOMPLETE WORK AND INITIAL THE PAGE; THEN CHECK THE PLANNER AND WORK WITH YOUR CHILD TO GET THE WORK COMPLETED

               LGDallam  3/8/04