| I spend a lot of time at my seminars and workshops, | | | | put your homework in your a binder today, a folder |
| on the phone and via email discussing the subject of | | | | tomorrow... And, never, ever fold your homework |
| homework organization. Actually, I spend a lot of | | | | into a book or throw it loose into your backpack! |
| time listening to parents complain that their children's | | | | Shudder! |
| homework disorganization is driving everybody crazy! | | | | - Use your Magic Homework Box. You do have one, |
| Many students have such a hard time getting it | | | | don't you? The Magic Homework Box is a box with |
| together that by the time they finally sit down to do | | | | all of the homework supplies and materials a student |
| their homework, they are exhausted. No wonder | | | | needs on a regular basis. These supplies only come |
| they don't want to do it! Getting organized will help | | | | out of the Magic Homework Box during homework |
| alleviate exhaustion, bad attitudes, procrastination and | | | | time, so you always have what you need. Now, |
| rebelliousness. | | | | that's magic! |
| Homework organization just makes life easier for | | | | - Clean up as soon as you are finished with your |
| everyone. | | | | homework. Now, not later! Put completed pages in |
| These are the homework organization tips that I use | | | | your homework folder, then put the folder and |
| as a student, teacher and parent. Print this list and | | | | homework notebook in your backpack. Not only will |
| read it with your children. Then, post it on the fridge | | | | mornings will be less crazy, you won't have to sit in |
| and refer to it often so that everybody (parents, | | | | class knowing that you did your homework and |
| kids, babysitters, grandparents) will be on the same | | | | forgot it at home (doh!). Don't forget to put away |
| organized page. | | | | the dictionary and any other books you may have |
| At School: | | | | used. Remember to put everything back into your |
| - Write down every, single homework assignment in | | | | Magic Homework Box. In my house, homework is not |
| one place. I strongly recommend using a bound or | | | | "done" until everything is cleaned up and put away. |
| wire notebook- definitely NOT a loose leaf binder. I | | | | - Keep your backpack organized. Throw away all of |
| don't care how careful you are, pages will fall out, | | | | those candy wrappers and random pieces of paper. |
| and then what? You won't know what to do nor | | | | Keep one area or pocket filled with a few items |
| when to do it! A plain notebook is fine, but a | | | | (pencils, a sharpener, maybe a calculator) so that you |
| datebook or calendar is the best. Some schools even | | | | can do your homework anywhere- maybe even |
| provide these to students. Use it. | | | | before you get home! Remove any graded test, |
| - Write down homework assignments as you get | | | | project, report or paper that your teacher has taken |
| them. This is mostly for older students that change | | | | the time to return to you. Why? You might need it |
| classes and teachers, but it is a good habit for | | | | to study for a test, for a portfolio or for a project. |
| everyone. If the teacher says, "Oh, tonight I want | | | | You can throw everything away at the end of the |
| you to read Chapter 4," write that down in your | | | | semester or the school year, but until then put each |
| notebook. | | | | item in its own subject file, but NOT in the |
| - Write down every, single due date for a project or | | | | homework folder. Remember, homework folders are |
| paper- even if you have a handout or syllabus. | | | | ONLY for completed homework that is ready to be |
| Handouts disappear (I think they hang out with loose | | | | turned in! |
| socks), but you will still know what to do and when | | | | - Don't give up! They say it takes 21 days to form a |
| to do it if you have everything written down in your | | | | good habit. If you forget to do something on this list, |
| homework notebook. | | | | don't stop trying. Hey, maybe if you remember to |
| - Keep ALL of the day's homework assignments | | | | write down all of your homework or clean up for 21 |
| together in one place. Don't have a special place or | | | | days in a row, your mom or dad will do something |
| page for math, another for writing, etc. You want to | | | | extra nice for you! (Parents, that was a hint!) |
| see everything in one spot. | | | | A Note to Parents about Homework Organization |
| - Check your homework notebook Three (3) Times | | | | Please remember that your job is to give your |
| A Day: 1. Before you leave school (or each class), | | | | children organizational tools and show them how to |
| double check to make certain that you have | | | | use them. Your job is NOT to organize your child's |
| everything (books, paper, materials, etc.) that you will | | | | homework! So, in the beginning, you might check |
| need later. | | | | your son's homework notebook to make sure that |
| At Home: | | | | he is writing down all of his assignments in one place, |
| - 2. Before you start doing your homework, look at | | | | but you would never dream of calling the teacher |
| your notebook and make sure that you are doing | | | | and checking. You might watch as your daughter |
| the right assignment, the right page, etc. | | | | copies the science project due dates into her |
| - 3. Before you put everything away, take one more | | | | homework notebook; you will not do it for her. |
| quick look. Did you do everything? Good! | | | | Yes, I know that it is hard to let go- I've been there! |
| - Make a decision about where you will put your | | | | But, we want our children to be organized and |
| completed homework: into a binder pocket, a special | | | | independent learners, right? |
| homework folder, etc. You may decide to have a | | | | You can do it! |
| color-coded folder for each class. If you choose to | | | | (For more information about recommended |
| use folders, I strongly recommend using 3-hole | | | | homework organization products and The Magic |
| punched folders and keeping them together in a | | | | Homework Box, please see site information below. |
| 3-ring binder. Whatever you choose, stick to it! Don't | | | | |