27 Secrets to More Organized Students
Friday, February 26th, 2010Did you know that disorganization is ranked as one of the top reasons that students fail? Finding the best strategies to keep your students organized is a cornerstone in creating a successful learning environment. This month we are
teaming up with School Specialty Planning & Student Development, the leading providers of student planners, to offer our “Little Steps Make Big Things Happen” microgrant to help you fund your best ideas for keeping your students organized and on track.
We have compiled a list of 27 ideas for reaching your disorganized students. We also thought you might be interested in this research-based white paper titled, “Why Plan?” We hope this gets your creative juices flowing and inspires you to take the five minutes to apply for the “Little Steps Make Big Things Happen” microgrant. Five teachers will be receiving $200 and a Flip video camera or iPod nano with video to put their plan into action. So, take a look at our list and then a take a minute to apply for the microgrant-you will be so glad you did!
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Use social media to reach today’s digital learners-post calendars and due dates in an online blog or website.
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Create a take home class calendar with all due dates filled in.
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Do a monthly binder check, offer extra credit points for organized binders.
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Have students create a “homework file” where all the assignments that need to be returned can go.
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Send out email reminders to students.
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Encourage students to exchange phone numbers and email addresses with their classmates, and to remind each other about up coming tests and papers.
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Get parents involved! Ask them to follow you on Twitter and post reminders that assignments are due!
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Set aside time every month for students to clean out their binders and book bags during class.
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Make sure they are getting enough rest at night.
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Encourage parents to have a set place at home for students to do homework.
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Teach students how to make an effective to-do list.
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Create a “Organization Checklist” to give to students and parents with tips for things they can do at home to keep everyone on track.
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Help students make the connect between being organized and reaching their goals by having them make a list of their long term goals and what they need to do to achieve them.
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Emphasize time management by having students track what they do in a day and identify where they could better use their time.
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Instead of fighting students’ reliance on their smart phones, encourage them to use the calendar or download a good calendar application and use it.
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Have a list on your blackboard of what students are expected to bring to class with them tomorrow.
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Have a “Cleanest Locker” contest and give the winner a special prize.
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Have students fill out a monthly supply list to take home to parents so they don’t run out of paper, pencils, etc.
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Use popular shows like “Hoarders” and “Clean House” to illustrate the importance of getting rid of clutter.
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Have students write a “to-do list” at the end of each day to take home with them.
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During brainstorming time, ask students to share their best organization tips.
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Give out little treats when you see a student modeling good organization.
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Have a “MTV Cribs” type video contest, asking students to put videos of their designated study areas at home on YouTube and then take a class vote to see who has the coolest place to study.
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Have students brainstorm how your classroom could be better organized.
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Encourage parents and students to have a place to set everything that they need to take to school the night before.
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Get your students excited about your organization projects by rallying them and having their parents vote for your microgrant submission online. Voting begins March 9!
Of course, we know that you have your own ideas for how to get your students organized and we want to hear them! The deadline to apply is March 16, so don’t wait-apply now!
ers, what do you think of when you hear the word “

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