Getting OrganizedGetting Organized

Presented by

Lauren Borelli, LCSW School Counselor/Social Worker

Sheila McLean, MS School Counselor/Social

Presented by

Lauren Borelli, LCSW School Counselor/Social Worker

Sheila McLean, MS School Counselor/Social

Goals for WorkshopGoals for Workshop

Recognized signs of organized and disorganized student

Organization at home and school

Time management Using a planner at home and school

Recognized signs of organized and disorganized student

Organization at home and school

Time management Using a planner at home and school

The Organized StudentThe Organized StudentDoesn’t carry everything he owns in his backpack.

Can bring home materials needed to complete homework.

Can locate finished homework and hand it in on time.

Can study efficiently because she has planned ahead and has review materials.

Doesn’t carry everything he owns in his backpack.

Can bring home materials needed to complete homework.

Can locate finished homework and hand it in on time.

Can study efficiently because she has planned ahead and has review materials.

The Disorganized StudentThe Disorganized Student

Frequently looses papers Can’t break long-term projects into smaller ones

Misses deadlines Leaves everything for the last minute

Disrupts home life

Frequently looses papers Can’t break long-term projects into smaller ones

Misses deadlines Leaves everything for the last minute

Disrupts home life

Signs an ‘organized’ elementary student may become a ‘disorganized’ middle school

student.

Signs an ‘organized’ elementary student may become a ‘disorganized’ middle school

student. Books, reports, and research

Don’t infer the true purpose of the report

Breaking large projects into smaller ones

Books, reports, and research

Don’t infer the true purpose of the report

Breaking large projects into smaller ones

Executive FunctioningExecutive Functioning

The brain’s ability to perform several different tasks in order to complete a goal.

The brain’s ability to perform several different tasks in order to complete a goal.

Understand cause and effect Sequence, categorize, and prioritize

Stay focused Transitions Manipulate information Generalize lessons Working memory

Organization at School & Home

Organization at School & Home

The Black Hole: The Backpack

The Black Hole: The Backpack

Assessment: Privacy issues Function of backpack Weight/size of backpack

Assessment: Privacy issues Function of backpack Weight/size of backpack

PACKPACK

Purge Accessorize Categorize Keep It Up!

Purge Accessorize Categorize Keep It Up!

The Locker (The Other Black Hole)

The Locker (The Other Black Hole)

Assessment: What does your child keep in her locker?

Condition of locker? Location? Storage & accessories included? Additional accessories desired? Access to locker throughout day? Type of lock?

Assessment: What does your child keep in her locker?

Condition of locker? Location? Storage & accessories included? Additional accessories desired? Access to locker throughout day? Type of lock?

PACKPACK

Purge: Can be done at school or home. Throw out anything not needed (with permission).

Repeat periodically.

Purge: Can be done at school or home. Throw out anything not needed (with permission).

Repeat periodically.

PACKPACK

Accessorize: What does your child need access to?

Add hooks, shelf, mirror, $… Post map of locker contents. Follow up periodically to maintain.

Accessorize: What does your child need access to?

Add hooks, shelf, mirror, $… Post map of locker contents. Follow up periodically to maintain.

PACKPACK Categorize:

Separate contents into categories. Have child sort through loose papers.

File papers in backpack or home files.

Subdivide texts/notebooks by subject or schedule.

Pack in separate bags to transfer back to school.

Categorize: Separate contents into categories. Have child sort through loose papers.

File papers in backpack or home files.

Subdivide texts/notebooks by subject or schedule.

Pack in separate bags to transfer back to school.

PACKPACK

Keep It Up! Model maintenance of efforts (mail, grocery, laundry…)

Establish habit of putting things back where they belong.

Keep It Up! Model maintenance of efforts (mail, grocery, laundry…)

Establish habit of putting things back where they belong.

Binder or Accordion FileBinder or Accordion File

Common to both:Tabs

Color-codedAlphabetizedSchedule based

Work:To DoCompleted

Common to both:Tabs

Color-codedAlphabetizedSchedule based

Work:To DoCompleted

BindersBinders

Plastic pocket folders Pencil/pen organizer Ruler Paper notebooks

Plastic pocket folders Pencil/pen organizer Ruler Paper notebooks

Accordion FileAccordion File

Loose leaf papers Handouts

Loose leaf papers Handouts

HomeworkHomework

Atmosphere Supplies Files Papers

Atmosphere Supplies Files Papers

Time ManagementTime Management

Most adults have skills of average third grader!

Need concept of time or will have trouble sequencing daily tasks.

Impact of digital clock.

Most adults have skills of average third grader!

Need concept of time or will have trouble sequencing daily tasks.

Impact of digital clock.

The PlannerThe Planner

Immediate and long-term assignments

Academics Extracurricular activities Study time Electronic vs Book planner Home Planner

Teaching TimeTeaching Time

Telling Time: Get analog clock & watch Practice estimating time elapsed.

Keep it real!

Telling Time: Get analog clock & watch Practice estimating time elapsed.

Keep it real!

Calendar Time vs. Study Time

Calendar Time vs. Study Time

Elementary school more structured.

Predict how long tasks will take and budget accordingly.

Need sense of “Big Picture”. Let students find own solutions.

Elementary school more structured.

Predict how long tasks will take and budget accordingly.

Need sense of “Big Picture”. Let students find own solutions.

Instilling ResponsibilityInstilling

Responsibility Trips to school

Lunch Tennis shoes Instruments Homework

Trips to school Lunch Tennis shoes Instruments Homework

ConclusionConclusion

Questions Comments Evaluation

Questions Comments Evaluation