| In my carefree kid days, homework was often | | | | Now, add up your checkmarks. More than eight |
| left behind-sometimes on my desk, in my unmade | | | | suggests your child, like me in days of old, needs |
| bed, or even under it, falling victim to the morning | | | | an organization makeover. With four to seven |
| rush. And, yes, I usually left assignments for the | | | | checks, some fix-ups are still in order. Start by |
| last minute-when I remembered them at all. Made | | | | shopping for school supplies together, including an |
| my grades suffer and my mother gnash her | | | | assignment book and sturdy binder-nothing |
| teeth. In fact, it got so bad she finally declared, | | | | spiral-bound-together with a pencil case, a |
| "Young lady, this is my house, and I've had | | | | made-for-binder three-hold punch, and pocket |
| enough." There was no turning back. She had me | | | | folder for holding completed assignments. New |
| in her sights-no wiggle room. And so she | | | | assignments are stored in the right pocket |
| single-handedly remade my seventh grade self. By | | | | throughout the day and moved to the left one |
| organizing my life, her house looked better-and so | | | | upon completion. This way, no misplaced |
| did my grades and attitude. Now I'm passing along | | | | homework. Also purchase plenty of dividers-one |
| the favor. | | | | for each major subject, plus one each for its |
| While some kids are remarkably organized, many | | | | accompanying notes, tests/quizzes, and returned |
| are frequently in a state of disrepair, searching for | | | | homework. Usually one divider will do for minor |
| misplaced papers and playing catch-up. Sound | | | | subjects, such as art and health. |
| familiar? To start, check off the following | | | | At home, keep such supplies as notebook paper, |
| statements that ring true about your child, and | | | | pencils, pens, highlighters, index cards, poster |
| then we'll talk solutions. | | | | board, printer ink cartridges, etc. on hand. You'll |
| 1. Sometimes/often leaves projects and reports | | | | also need a dictionary and thesaurus. Then, once |
| to the last minute. | | | | school starts, make sure assignments are |
| 2. Sometimes/often studies for tests at the last | | | | recorded every day. Not sure? Then request |
| minute. | | | | teachers' signatures. And, to avoid forgetting, it's |
| 3. Sometimes/often drops clothes on the floor. | | | | also helpful to display a large calendar for |
| 4. Sometimes/often neglects to record | | | | recording long-term projects and reports, |
| assignments, so we don't know what needsdoing. | | | | important dates and activities. Meanwhile, help |
| 5. Seldom/never posts upcoming tests, projects, | | | | your child sort and correctly file papers, so |
| or reports where they are readily displayed. | | | | nothing is ever misplaced or lost. Call it |
| 6. Does not have a storage place for school | | | | "housecleaning" and make it a weekend habit. |
| supplies. | | | | Additionally, maintain an over-sized notebook or |
| 7. Has a notebook that's a jumble of papers. | | | | box for storing completed units of study for later |
| 8. Seldom sorts and correctly files the day's | | | | reference and final exam preps. Finally, create a |
| papers. | | | | Drop Spot for gathering all school-related materials |
| 9. Sometimes/often tosses out returned | | | | at bedtime, ready and waiting come morning. |
| worksheets and tests at the end of a unit of | | | | So there you have it, a start-up kit of tips for |
| study-or even before! | | | | sorting though the clutter and helping your child |
| 10. Sometimes misplaces completed homework | | | | put and keep everything in its rightful place, |
| and so loses points. | | | | findable at a moment's notice. As a Wal-Mart ad |
| 12. Sometimes/often leaves schoolwork strewn | | | | once declared, "Life is so much easier when it's |
| about and then rushes around in the morning | | | | organized. |
| trying to gather it all up-sometimes unsuccessfully. | | | | |