The Basics Of Organization

Organization seems so simple: red toys in the red bin, blue toys in the blue bin. At least it seems easy when we think of organization as a simplistic act.

Truth: The older a student becomes, the more complex organization becomes. Organization isn't just a matter of sorting. Organization is actually quite intricate. Organization for one particular class requires a student to first know: how the teacher organizes the coursework, what tools the teacher uses daily, and what types of assignments are repeated and how often they are repeated. Then for each assignment they must ask: how often will I be referring to that, where should I put it, and do I even need this assignment anymore? Very rarely do teachers set up an organization expectaion for their class. And even if they do, the teacher expects students to continue using the system without prompting. 

What I Suggest: First, identify the type of inherent organization your child operates on. Knowing if your student is a piler, or a "I need to see it to know it's there", informs the type of organization protocol your student will follow for all classes. Creating the system is the biggest hill your child should have to climb. Identify what assignments are actually being given, how often it will be referred to, and if this type of assignment will be repeated again. Knowing this will help set up the system based on what the student sees regularly. Your student can then forecast how to keep the organization system going with each assignment. Maintaining it requires consistency, flexibility, and adaptability to avoid making a mountain out of a mole hill. 



Reply to this post if you'd like a mini self-assessment to identify your child's inherent organization style, and specific suggestions based on their type.