Mrs. Rees

1. Use Checklists.
2. Organize homework assignments.
3. Designate a study place.
4. Set a designated study time.
5. Keep organized notebooks.
6. Conduct a weekly cleanup.
7. Create a household schedule.
8. Keep a master calendar.
9. Prepare for the day ahead.
10. Provide needed support whle your child is learning to become more organized.

Use Checklists.

Help your child get into the habit of keeping a "to-do" list.  Use checklists 
to post assignments, household chores, and reminders about what materials to 
bring to class.  Your child should have a planner dedicated to listing 
homework assignments.  Crossing completed items gives a sense of 
accomplishment.  At Carmichael we will provide each student with an 
assignment planner at the beginning of the year.

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Organize homework assignments.

Before beginning a homework session, encourage your child to number 
assignments in the order in which they should be done.  He/she should start 
with one that's not too long or difficult, but avoid saving the longest or 
hardest assignments for last.

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Designate a study place.

Your child should study in the same place every night.  This doesn't have to 
be a bedroom, but it should be a quiet place with few distractions.  All 
school supplies and materials should be nearby.

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Set a designated study time.

Your child should know that a certain time every day is reserved for studying 
and doing homework.  The best time is usually not right after school- most 
children benefit from time to unwind first.  Include your child in making 
this decision.  Even if he/she doesn't have homework, the reserved time 
should be used to review the day's lessons, read for pleasure, or work on an 
upcoming project.

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Keep organized notebooks.

Help your child keep track of papers by organizing them in a binder or 
notebook.  This will help him/her review the material for each day's classes 
and to organize the material later to prepare for tests and quizzes.  Use 
dividers to separate class notes, or color-code notebooks.  Separate "to do" 
and "done" folders help organize worksheets, notices, and items to be signed 
by parents, as well as provide a central place to store completed 
assignments.

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Conduct a weekly cleanup.

Encourage your child to sort through book bags and notebooks on a weekly 
basis.  Old tests and papers should be organized and kept in a separate file 
at home.

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Create a household schedule.

Try to establish and stick to a regular dinnertime and a regular bedtime.  
This will help your child fall into a pattern at home.  Children with a 
regular bedtime go to school well-rested.  Try to limit television watching 
and computer play to specific periods of time during the day.

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Keep a master calendar.

Keep a large, wall-sized calendar for the household, listing the family's 
commitments, schedules for extracurricular activities, days off from school, 
and major events at home and at school.  Note dates when your child has big 
exams or due dates for projects.  This will help family members keep track of 
each other's activities and avoid scheduling conflicts.

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Prepare for the day ahead.

Before your child goes to bed, he should pack schoolwork and books in a book 
bag.  The next day's clothes should be laid out with shoes, socks, and 
accessories.   This will cut down on morning confusion and allow your child 
to prepare quickly for the day ahead.

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Provide needed support whle your child is learning to become more organized.

Help your child develop organizational skills by photocopying checklists and 
schedules and taping them to the refrigerator.  Gently remind him/her about 
filling in calendar dates and keeping papers and materials organized.

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