How do your kids keep schoolwork organiz
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How do your kids keep schoolwork organiz
| Thu, 08-03-2006 - 3:06pm |
My son is going onto 9th grade and the last 2 years have been a nightmare as far as organization. So I would love tips on how your kids keep organized especially how to keep each class info seperate and getting between classes etc.
The last 2 years he had binder/trapper keeper type things and the rings kept busting so we would buy a new one. And then the zippers would rip out. So I am thinking he needs to get away from binders.
Anyway, any help would be great and hopefully with troublshooting we can get somewhere.
Thanks
Anna
The last 2 years he had binder/trapper keeper type things and the rings kept busting so we would buy a new one. And then the zippers would rip out. So I am thinking he needs to get away from binders.
Anyway, any help would be great and hopefully with troublshooting we can get somewhere.
Thanks
Anna

They're not made the best so ds has had to get one each year, but he's found that the binders he's gotten at either Walgreens or Walmart (not Target) that have the multiple pockets work best for him. These have like 6 notebook paper sized pockets in half, so he can put the papers he's working on loosely in these areas by subject (and is somehow good at putting them in the right pockets), and then once the work is graded he can (but usually doesn't!) put them into the 3 ring area with the dividers by subject. It worked well for him in 7th and 8th; I hear we don't get a formal list in HS so I'm not sure what he'll need, but we'll likely just get one of those as it's worked well for him.
Sue
My first reaction to your header question was My kid?...schoolwork?... organized?....bwahahahahaha!
We have never conquered that particular dragon. The best we ever got were the zippered binder things with multiple pockets in them. I usually buy 2 or 3 at a time because they do tear up (especially when you have a kid cramming *every*thing in there). At least it worked as well as could be expected during the younger years. Mine too is entering hs this year, so we shall see.
Sorry, I'm not any help, but know that you are not alone. :)
My DD is going to be a senior this year and is incredibly organized which is probably why she is in the top 10% of her class. She just had a separate notebook (spiral, not 3-ring) for each class. I know that some teachers prefer different things, so we can never stock up on school supplies in advance, cause some teachers want notebooks, some want looseleaf, etc.
I don't think it matters so much what type you use. In high school it seems to be more organizing time and not forgetting what you are supposed to do. Last year in h.s., on the first day of school, they gave every kid an assignment calendar type notebook. They used it to write down assignments and it's also used in place of a hall pass. I was really lucky cause I never have to ask if she did her homework. (except for summer reading where she is apparently going to wait until the last minute)
My son just finished 4th grade and while he is very smart, he doesn't know how to organize his time for a project. If had a week to do it, he woldn't know how to break down the time. I was always nagging him to get started. Like if the project had several things to do, I would have to say, tonight you can do the written report, tomorrow you can work on the poster, etc.
I would never call DS17 (HS senior) organized, but he does seem to have a method to his madness. We're on a trimester system here and the kids have only 5 class periods a day. He uses a Mead 5 Star 5 subject notebook (its a spiral bound thing, not a binder) and has 2 folder-type pockets separating each "subject" section. This is where he keeps everything. I noticed that he writes the word "KEEP" on all papers that he has in the pockets. He told me every time he is handed a paper in class he immediately asks if he needs to keep it- if the answer is yes, it is marked and goes in the pocket, if not, he discards it. So far he's been lucky and hasn't thrown away anything important. It does keep the volume of papers to a minimum and he can find what he needs pretty quickly. The single notebook for all 5 classes also allows him to "travel light" through his very sprawled-out school.
DD14 (freshman) will use the same type notebook. She used it last year in middle school, and had one of those pencil-pouch organizers intended for a binder clipped to it with binder ring clips (the big circular rings you get at the office supply store). She had pens, pencils, calculator, feminine hygiene products, etc in it. She doesn't carry a purse (ever) so it worked well. Neither of my kids will shlep a big binder around- if I bought them they would end up at the bottom of their lockers unused. Their notebook system seems to work pretty well, especially with only 5 classes a day.
With 2 graduated, you would think I wouldnt be worried about this with my youngest started this month but ...I am
The older are bright but not in any way shape or form concerned about grades so I dont know if working off their organization skills is a wise idea. They counted on doing well on tests and missed a lot of assignments
Blake the 14 yr old starting this month has severe LDs and the ONLY way he has gotten through school so far IS by being compliant and doing all the assignments. His memory issues severly impact test scores no matter what he or we do.
So I asked my oldest's GF about supplies(no point asking my older sons) and she felt that large binders or trappers were just not what you brought to high school(she had a wee bit of horror in her voice)That was Blakes plan so 'we' are rethinking. I got the impression that lockers dont get much use. She said she used single spirals and then later the 3 or 5 subject spirals. We have open lunch and many kids drive or drive with someone. She said it is typical to take morning stuff with you, leave afternoon in the car and then switch at lunch. When I asked about bringing textbooks I got a blank look and "Oh, you do have to do that for math sometimes"
I bought Blake some Mead hybrid thing that I thought looked cool. You stick in looseleaf and then there are dividers with nice pockets-even a cap to keep stuff from squirting out. Then I got it home and realized only two dividers were like that-the others were just dividers. Also, the 'tech lock' rings each have to be opened individually which will get old real quick IMO
I cant see this working too well although I give them 5 stars for their choice of wording for marketing purposes. And Blake liked that it was sleek and black. We'll see but Im thinking we will regroup after 3-4 weeks
I do remember that individual teachers made requests-usually science and usually 1 inch binders. The often got points for having this with them and keeping it up to date. I will have to stay on top of that with this kiddo as those points will be valuable to him
I am so glad I asked for ideas! Thanks!!! Now that the stores are getting their school stuff in we (I) will go check it all out and see if I can come up with a plan.
I like the idea of asking to keep a piece of paper or not. My son never knows if it is something he will need again. I think he needs to keep everything becuase that is the way I am. but in reality they don't need to keep very much of what they get back. I will encourage him to use that this year.
Thanks all and I hope more ideas come in!