Study Skills The Organized Student by Donna Goldberg

Study Skills

The Organized Student by Donna Goldberg

The Organized Student • Can find what he needs when he needs it • Doesn’t carry everything he owns in his bookbag • Can identify everything that needs to be brought • • home and returned Can locate completed assignments and turn them in on time Can study more efficiently because he knows: – when tests are scheduled and how much time is needed to prepare – can locate class notes/handouts and study guides

The Disorganized Student • Frequently loses papers • Doesn’t hand in assignments • Has a backpack full of crumpled paper and • • • “stuff” Leaves everything for the last minute Disrupts home life with frantic searches, late night help requests, meltdowns, “emergency” phone calls COUNTS ANY TIME SPENT DOING ANYTHING RELATED TO SCHOOL AS “STUDY TIME”

What are your goals as a parent? • Working with your own child is tricky. Don’t make the tasks personal and negative. Stay focused! • Is this the time to introduce some basic principles of organizing or to discuss school? • Is your goal to help your child put papers in the correct folder or argue about the grades on those papers?

Where should they be organized? • SCHOOL – Accordion File • HOME – Place to do homework with supplies available – Place to file papers/projects, etc. • TIME MANAGEMENT – How long an assignment takes – Planning a schedule for completing tasks

How do I start? • This is a process that will require adjustments along the way. • Allow your child to be the decision maker in the process while you guide. Ownership means acceptance and enthusiasm. • They are learning to be organized! Reinforce!! But don’t nag!

Bookbag • Clean it out! Throw it away! Remove anything not school related! • Add a luggage tag with general information in case the bag is lost. • Add a luggage tag with a list of those items they must bring home every day. • Go through the bookbag on a regular schedule with your child. • Consistency!!! They will imitate your actions!!

Accordion File System • Must be sturdy and close easily! • Label each section of the AF with each subject, Paw. Pad, non-academic papers, etc. • Put subject pocket folders and the Paw. Pad in the appropriate slot • Practice taking out/putting back the pocket folders and Paw. Pad • Role play how to find needed materials

At Home • Homework station – have a portable box with any supplies your child needs to complete assignments • Filing System – have a portable box where your child can file needed papers at home; this can include extra curricular! • Portfolio – have a portable box where your child can file those “special” papers • Regularly sort through your boxes to throw out old papers, replace supplies, etc.

Time Management • Many children do not understand time • 7: 50 is 10 before 8: 00 but most children cannot tell you this • Many children do not realize how long 1 minute is because they hear “In a minute” many times in their lives! (guilty) • Start using a digital clock AND an analog clock at home • Use a timer to prove “I’ll be ready in five minutes”

• Children need to see time “move” not just flash to the next digit. (Timetimer) • 2 weeks of calendar time does not really mean 14 days to do a project. What about football practice? Sunday dinner with grandma? Dance recital? • USE THE PAWPAD FOR ACADEMIC AND PERSONAL EVENTS!!! • Allow them the opportunity to see how to create a balanced schedule that allows them to get all things accomplished.

The Organized Student • By Donna Goldberg • $14 at most stores • ISBN-13: 978 -7432 -7020 -5 • www. organizedstudent. com • www. timer. com

Other resources: • Ending the Homework Hassle – John Rosemond • How to Write School Reports – Helen Moore • 501 Ways to Boost Your Child’s Success in School – • • • Robert Ramsey Your child Can Succeed in School – Dorothy Rubin Super Study Skills – Laurie Rozakis Get Organized Without Losing It – Janet Fox Study Skills That Stick – Dr. Margaret Nuzum The Mom Book Goes To School – Stacy De. Broff Helping Your Child With Homework – US Dept. of Education

Books for Educators • Study Strategies Made Easy – Leslie Davis and Sandi Sirotowitz • School Power – Study Skill Strategies for Succeeding In School – Jeanne Shay Schumm