Organizational Tools

Why should I do it:

• Provides increased order for the student mentally and logistically

• Improves student awareness of belongings, papers, supplies, etc

• Increases student success and morale

• Improves work completion and returning or submission of work

• Provides increased structure

• Helps to develop and establish routines, schedules, etc.

• Increases student responsibility and follow through

• Holds students more accountable

• Improves student self-confidence

• Decreases missing and lost assignments

• Improves time management

• Increases attending behaviors

When should I do it:

• When students exhibit poor organization

• When students chronically lose, misplace, and fail to submit work

• When students have trouble following the school/class procedures, schedules, and/or routines

• When a student's locker/desk is very messy and disorganized

• When a student loses work, materials, and supplies in their locker/desk

• When a student hoards work in their locker/desk

How do I do it:

• Some basic strategies include keeping a planner or calendar, frequently organizing lockers, desks, and storage areas with the assistance of a teacher or peer

• Checklists

• Daily schedules

• Keeping things in a crate and out of the desk or locker 

• Organizational folders with a “to do” and “done” side

• Visual schedule

• Parent assistance with daily helping the student organize and sort work, belongings, and materials

• Turning in all complete work to one location and/or person, etc.