Study Skills

The Organized Student by Donna Goldberg

The Organized Student Can find what he needs when he needs it Can find what he needs when he needs it Doesn’t carry everything he owns in his bookbag Doesn’t carry everything he owns in his bookbag Can identify everything that needs to be brought home and returned Can identify everything that needs to be brought home and returned Can locate completed assignments and turn them in on time Can locate completed assignments and turn them in on time Can study more efficiently because he knows: Can study more efficiently because he knows: – when tests are scheduled and how much time is needed to prepare –can locate class notes/handouts and study guides

The Disorganized Student Frequently loses papers Frequently loses papers Doesn’t hand in assignments Doesn’t hand in assignments Has a backpack full of crumpled paper and “stuff” Has a backpack full of crumpled paper and “stuff” Leaves everything for the last minute Leaves everything for the last minute Disrupts home life with frantic searches, late night help requests, meltdowns, “emergency” phone calls Disrupts home life with frantic searches, late night help requests, meltdowns, “emergency” phone calls COUNTS ANY TIME SPENT DOING ANYTHING RELATED TO SCHOOL AS “STUDY TIME” COUNTS ANY TIME SPENT DOING ANYTHING RELATED TO SCHOOL AS “STUDY TIME”

What are your goals as a parent? Working with your own child is tricky. Don’t make the tasks personal and negative. Stay focused! Working with your own child is tricky. Don’t make the tasks personal and negative. Stay focused! Is this the time to introduce some basic principles of organizing or to discuss school? Is this the time to introduce some basic principles of organizing or to discuss school? Is your goal to help your child put papers in the correct folder or argue about the grades on those papers? Is your goal to help your child put papers in the correct folder or argue about the grades on those papers?

Where should they be organized? SCHOOL SCHOOL –Accordion File HOME HOME –Place to do homework with supplies available –Place to file papers/projects, etc. TIME MANAGEMENT TIME MANAGEMENT –How long an assignment takes –Planning a schedule for completing tasks

How do I start? This is a process that will require adjustments along the way. This is a process that will require adjustments along the way. Allow your child to be the decision maker in the process while you guide. Owner- ship means acceptance and enthusiasm. Allow your child to be the decision maker in the process while you guide. Owner- ship means acceptance and enthusiasm. They are learning to be organized! Reinforce Reinforce Reinforce!! But don’t nag! They are learning to be organized! Reinforce Reinforce Reinforce!! But don’t nag!

Bookbag Clean it out! Throw it away! Remove anything not school related! Clean it out! Throw it away! Remove anything not school related! Add a luggage tag with general information in case the bag is lost. Add a luggage tag with general information in case the bag is lost. Add a luggage tag with a list of those items they must bring home every day. Add a luggage tag with a list of those items they must bring home every day. Go through the bookbag on a regular schedule with your child. Go through the bookbag on a regular schedule with your child. Consistency!!! They will imitate your actions!! Consistency!!! They will imitate your actions!!

Accordion File System Must be sturdy and close easily! Must be sturdy and close easily! Label each section of the AF with each subject, PawPad, non-academic papers, etc. Label each section of the AF with each subject, PawPad, non-academic papers, etc. Put subject pocket folders and the PawPad in the appropriate slot Put subject pocket folders and the PawPad in the appropriate slot Practice taking out/putting back the pocket folders and PawPad Practice taking out/putting back the pocket folders and PawPad Role play how to find needed materials Role play how to find needed materials

At Home Homework station – have a portable box with any supplies your child needs to complete assignments Homework station – have a portable box with any supplies your child needs to complete assignments Filing System – have a portable box where your child can file needed papers at home; this can include extra curricular! Filing System – have a portable box where your child can file needed papers at home; this can include extra curricular! Portfolio – have a portable box where your child can file those “special” papers Portfolio – have a portable box where your child can file those “special” papers Regularly sort through your boxes to throw out old papers, replace supplies, etc. Regularly sort through your boxes to throw out old papers, replace supplies, etc.

Time Management Many children do not understand time Many children do not understand time 7:50 is 10 before 8:00 but most children cannot tell you this 7:50 is 10 before 8:00 but most children cannot tell you this Many children do not realize how long 1 minute is because they hear “In a minute” many many times in their lives! (guilty) Many children do not realize how long 1 minute is because they hear “In a minute” many many times in their lives! (guilty) Start using a digital clock AND an analog clock at home Start using a digital clock AND an analog clock at home Use a timer to prove “I’ll be ready in five minutes” Use a timer to prove “I’ll be ready in five minutes”

Children need to see time “move” not just flash to the next digit. (Timetimer) Children need to see time “move” not just flash to the next digit. (Timetimer) 2 weeks of calendar time does not really mean 14 days to do a project. What about football practice? Sunday dinner with grandma? Dance recital? 2 weeks of calendar time does not really mean 14 days to do a project. What about football practice? Sunday dinner with grandma? Dance recital? USE THE PAWPAD FOR ACADEMIC AND PERSONAL EVENTS!!! USE THE PAWPAD FOR ACADEMIC AND PERSONAL EVENTS!!! Allow them the opportunity to see how to create a balanced schedule that allows them to get all things accomplished. Allow them the opportunity to see how to create a balanced schedule that allows them to get all things accomplished.

The Organized Student By Donna Goldberg By Donna Goldberg $14 at most stores $14 at most stores ISBN-13: ISBN-13:

Other resources: Ending the Homework Hassle – John Rosemond Ending the Homework Hassle – John Rosemond How to Write School Reports – Helen Moore How to Write School Reports – Helen Moore 501 Ways to Boost Your Child’s Success in School – Robert Ramsey 501 Ways to Boost Your Child’s Success in School – Robert Ramsey Your child Can Succeed in School – Dorothy Rubin Your child Can Succeed in School – Dorothy Rubin Super Study Skills – Laurie Rozakis Super Study Skills – Laurie Rozakis Get Organized Without Losing It – Janet Fox Get Organized Without Losing It – Janet Fox Study Skills That Stick – Dr. Margaret Nuzum Study Skills That Stick – Dr. Margaret Nuzum The Mom Book Goes To School – Stacy DeBroff The Mom Book Goes To School – Stacy DeBroff Helping Your Child With Homework – US Dept. of Education Helping Your Child With Homework – US Dept. of Education

Books for Educators Study Strategies Made Easy – Leslie Davis and Sandi Sirotowitz Study Strategies Made Easy – Leslie Davis and Sandi Sirotowitz School Power – Study Skill Strategies for Succeeding In School – Jeanne Shay Schumm School Power – Study Skill Strategies for Succeeding In School – Jeanne Shay Schumm