Do you ever get handed in homework tasks that are crumpled pieces of scrap paper pulled out from the crevasses of a student planner, if anything at all?
How about if we actually take some time to teach our students how to really organise themselves? I'm all for encouraging independence in students, and something that should be done more often is actually teach students basic organisation skills.
So here are my top tips for students:
1) Encourage them to use their student planners correctly and consistently. They should be writing in every piece of homework and the deadline for it. They should also cross it out or tick it off once it has been completed.
Teach them some various ways in which they can open their planner to date as quickly as possible; some fold the pages in, some planners come with clip in rulers or if all else fails, tie a ribbon to it!
How about if we actually take some time to teach our students how to really organise themselves? I'm all for encouraging independence in students, and something that should be done more often is actually teach students basic organisation skills.
So here are my top tips for students:
1) Encourage them to use their student planners correctly and consistently. They should be writing in every piece of homework and the deadline for it. They should also cross it out or tick it off once it has been completed.
Teach them some various ways in which they can open their planner to date as quickly as possible; some fold the pages in, some planners come with clip in rulers or if all else fails, tie a ribbon to it!
2) Get students to plan time every day to complete their homework; this could be free time during the school day, as soon as they get home or after dinner, for example.
3) Find a specific place to do their homework. If they don't have their own space at home, they can get a caddy to put all their stationary in and carry it to a table in their home. 'HomeOrganizing' has a great homework caddy video you can watch for more ideas on this:
3) Find a specific place to do their homework. If they don't have their own space at home, they can get a caddy to put all their stationary in and carry it to a table in their home. 'HomeOrganizing' has a great homework caddy video you can watch for more ideas on this:
4) Encourage your students to store their homework in an expandable file. Each tab can be allocated to a different subject; homework to do and homework finished can be stored in these and kept crumple free! These can get be found everywhere, but particularly good deals can be found in the pound shop or in supermarkets.
5) They should be keeping track of deadlines and important dates; these can be recorded in their planners and on a calendar.
6) Keep a copy of their timetable in bedroom so they can plan for the day at a glance the night before and know what they have that morning and can be fully prepared.
7) Pack their bags the night before; no more rushing around first thing in the morning looking for their keys or P.E. kit...
5) They should be keeping track of deadlines and important dates; these can be recorded in their planners and on a calendar.
6) Keep a copy of their timetable in bedroom so they can plan for the day at a glance the night before and know what they have that morning and can be fully prepared.
7) Pack their bags the night before; no more rushing around first thing in the morning looking for their keys or P.E. kit...
8) Set their alarm 15 minutes earlier than they usually do to give them that extra time in the morning to double check they have everything.
9) Ensure they have a healthy breakfast every day.
10) Finally, keep a bottle of water with them at all times; wrap it in a bag if they are worried about spillages.
So if you have some students who just always seem to be so disorganised and late, try giving them some pointers mentioned above to help sort themselves out; who knows maybe they've just never been taught how before!
P.S. Click on the "previous" button below to see other blog posts!
9) Ensure they have a healthy breakfast every day.
10) Finally, keep a bottle of water with them at all times; wrap it in a bag if they are worried about spillages.
So if you have some students who just always seem to be so disorganised and late, try giving them some pointers mentioned above to help sort themselves out; who knows maybe they've just never been taught how before!
P.S. Click on the "previous" button below to see other blog posts!