homework organization board

How To Create The Ultimate Homework Station (So You’ll Never Have To Ask “Is Your Homework Done?” Ever Again)

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Homework can be the bane of the school year and can often be the source of much drama in the household. “Where is my notebook?” “Have you seen my backpack?” and of course the often-used “Is your homework done?!”

Instead of playing into the drama, why not make your home set-up a point of calm amongst the chaos, and set your children up for success by creating (or updating) an incredible homework station.

Teaching your kids how to keep themselves organized is such an important skill. Tasks such as time management, tidying workspaces, and project preparation will not only help them with school work, but also with life and the challenges it brings as they continue to learn and grow.

As organizers, we have used these tips to create homework stations for elementary school aged children onwards and they can easily be applied to families looking to refresh their existing systems for kids of any age.

And big bonus – your kids will love their new work space so much, they may actually be excited to do their homework!

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our  disclosure  policy.

PIN for when you’re ready to organize!

FIND THE SPACE

First things first, you’ll need to find a room or space in your home that works for your child. Depending on their age and how much assistance they require, this spot could be in a communal room (think kitchen or family room) or at a desk in their own room.

The ultimate goal is to get them working in a proper set-up with a table and chair instead of working from their lap – this way they establish good habits, can properly work on their handwriting and have room to spread out all their materials.

To spark your creative juices, we’ve pulled  30 of our favorite homework station examples  to serve as inspiration:

• Dual Desks from  @littlelibertyrooms
• Fold Down Desk via  This Old House
• Rustic 3-Desk Set-Up via  Postbox Designs
• Closet Transformation from  This Old House
• Homework Station for 4 via  Householdno6.
• Modern Loft Study Area via  Houzz
• Display Wall Station via  Houzz
• Dual Closet Homework Station via  Houzz
• Hallway Station via  Jen Hannotte for Houzz

• 2 Desk Work Station via  Better Homes & Gardens
• Double Sided Desk from  Better Homes & Gardens
• Closet Study Area via  iheartorganizing
• Family Room Homework Space via  Better Homes & Gardens
• Classic Desks via  Classy Clutter
• Walk-in Closet Transformation via  Petite Party Studio
• Kids Homework Station via  Clean and Scentsible
• Freestanding Table via  Houzz
• Colorful Workstation for Four via  Houzz
• Study Nook from  @littlelibertyrooms

• Chalkboard Wall via  Houzz
• Station Under the Stairs via  Houzz
• Hallway Homework Station from  @ninaandcecilia
• Double Desk Space from  @littlelibertyrooms
• Hanging Chair Hideout via  Houzz
• PBTeen Sleep & Study Loft Bed
• DIY Kids Art & Homework Station via  Craft-O-Maniac
• Tri Station via  Juvenile Hall Design
• Pull-Down Hallway Station from  Sand and Sisal
• Homework Nook with Chalkboard via  By Dawn Nicole
• DIY Homework Station from  Tatertots & Jello

Now, if finding a dedicated desk space isn’t possible, consider making your own mobile supply station that can be easily moved in and out of the space (like the kitchen table) when it’s homework time.

We love these smart DIY ideas for a portable study station:

• Dollar Store Portable Homework Caddy via  Simple Made Pretty
• Mobile Homework Station Cart from  Design Improvised
• Ikea Raskog Homework Station via  Smashed Peas and Carrots
• DIY Organizer from  Sprinkle Some Fun
• Homework Study Station via  Mom Advice
• Side of Fridge Storage via  the 36 th  Avenue
• DIY Homework Station Turntable from  Mom On Timeout
• Over the Door Organizer from  A Bowl Full of Lemons
• Freestanding Homework Station via  Simply Organized
• DIY Cutlery & Canning Jar Caddy via  Clean Mama

MAKE IT COMFORTABLE + FUNCTIONAL

Select a good desk chair that is both comfy and supportive. You don’t want a chair to be the reason that your kids are gravitating to doing their homework on the couch!

A few of our all-time favorite options:

• PBTeen Ergo Chair
• Land of Nod Class Act Mint & Gold Desk Chair
• Land of Nod Toto Desk Chair
• PBTeen Emily & Meritt Bed of Roses Airgo Chair
• PBTeen Rockin’ Roller Desk Chair
• Walmart Kids Retro Molded Chair
• Home Depot Modway Edge Office Chair
• PBTeen Northfield Wingback Chair
• Walmart Urban Shop Swivel Mesh Chair

Although it may seem obvious, having a  trash/recycle can  near their desk will encourage them to not only throw out their old papers, but also (perhaps with a little coaxing), to purge the garbage from their backpacks on a regular basis.

GET IT ORGANIZED

Wall Organization

Hang up a cork, magnetic or pin board for your kids to put papers, reminders and a calendar. This is a space that should be within reach of their desk so they can easily add/remove important items on a regular basis. It can also give them a chance to decorate and personalize their space – hopefully inspiring them to actually use it!

There are so many amazing wall organizing systems available – take a look at some of these incredible ideas:

• PBTeen Cubby System Pinboard
• PBKids Build Your Own Modern Gabrielle System
• Land of Nod Stick With Me Magnet Bar
• Land of Nod Cloud Corkboard
• Target Bulletin Board with Chalkboard & Hooks
• Umbra Trigon Bulletin Board
• Sweet Jojo Designs Pinboard
• PBTeen Dot Pin-It Pinboard
• Land of Nod Beaumont White Shelving System
• Land of Nod Colorblock Corkboard Letters
• PBKids Butterfly Shaped Pinboard

DESK ORGANIZATION

Having supplies within reach of the workspace is key to their productivity (there needn’t be twelve trips around the house looking for the tools they need to complete each project!).

If there’s room on their workspace, consider keeping their supplies neatly organized in one of these nifty containers:

• Land of Nod I Could’ve Bin a Things Bin
• PBKids Rainbow Shaped Pencil Holder
• PBKids Candy Canisters
• Land of Nod Perfect Pitch Storage Caddy
• Lani Ang 4-Grid Desktop Organizer
• PBKids Printed Metal Lazy Susans
• Container Store Acrylic Accessory Drawers
• Land of Nod Multicolor Desk Accessories  
• Target Room Essentials Desktop Storage Unit

A version of these supply caddies can also be made for the road as there are often times that your child won’t be home when it comes time for homework (ie. at a sibling’s after-school sporting event!). Capitalize on that travel and waiting time with a to-go bag of their most needed supplies. We especially love  this portable storage one .

Make cleanup easier on everyone by using labels on your supply containers/caddy. This will help teach your children how to maintain their space and hopefully put an end to the continuing cycle of them asking where to put things when they are cleaning up.

We love  this no-fuss, inexpensive labeler  and also check out  these cool reusable chalk board labels .

As your kids get older, homework will often require the use of technology, which means cord and charging chaos! Keep their space tidy from the cord clutter by using some of these ingenious products and hacks to help cables stay neat and handy for when it’s time to plug in and charge.

• Cable Sleeve
• Container Store  Cable Twisters
• Cable Management Box
• Cable Catch

ESTABLISH GOOD HABITS

Time Management

Give them the tools to manage their own time  by keeping a clock or timer at their workspace . Setting time limits for each subject can help them stay on track and is a life skill that will bode them well in life after school.

If you haven’t heard of  the Time Timer  before, it is an ingenious tool that visually shows your child how much time they have left for a certain task. It is easy for them to set themselves, and they don’t need to know how to read a clock in order to understand the concept of time diminishing.

Subject Management

Help keep your child’s different subjects organized with  color-coded file folders  (1) — for instance, green for science, blue for english, etc. — so they can keep their notes organized on their desk and in their book bag.

A  simple file folder organizer  can help keep their most important documents at arm’s reach ( this one  (2) even has some extra storage underneath!). If there’s not enough room on your desk for one, try  this nifty cascade folder  (3) that you can hang on the wall when working, and collapse and bring with you on-the-go!

In/Out Parent Bins

There’s always a plethora of school paperwork and updates that need to get safely into your hands. Consider setting up some  in and out bins  where your kids can drop off any papers that need to be signed or seen by a parent. You can then go through them each night, and put any that need to be returned to school in the “out” bin, ready for them to pick up in the morning and pack in their backpacks. With a little practice, this can be an extremely effective method that can be used all the way through high school!

It is vital for older children to start learning how to manage their own calendar. Whether it’s a  desktop planner , or a  large dry-erase calendar  that can hang on the wall, it’s a great way for them to visually see what tests and assignments are coming up, so they can manage their time accordingly.

Form a Routine

Now you’ve got their work space expertly organized, help your child form a routine of  when  they do their homework. It could be as soon as they come home after a snack, after ½ an hour of “down” time or after dinner. Whatever you decide, help them stick to their routine for the first few weeks by setting a timer or providing gentle guidance. Hopefully with their new homework station in place, they’ll feel a real sense of ownership and be excited to get down to work!

After their homework is complete, consider helping them put a routine in place that will help make the morning rush less hectic. It could be as simple as establishing a nightly backpack check ensuring that all the books and papers needed for the next day are all packed away. Or having them place their packed backpack in a designated space (preferably near the door!) so there isn’t a mad scramble to find it in the morning.

RELATED:  For more smart tips and hacks for smooth morning routines see our popular post:  67 Life Changing Organization Tips & Hacks For Stress-Free Mornings

So there you have it mamas, tons of tips and inspiration to create the ultimate Homework Station. We wish you much success in the homework drama and hope you’ll never have to ask “is your homework done?” ever again!

Pssst – before you go, we’d love to have you  join our What Moms Love community  and we’ll hook you up with all of our exclusive resources including our popular  10 Screen-Free Toys For Guaranteed Quiet Time  (this is seriously a game changer mamas!),  Holiday/Birthday Coupon Book for Kid s  and  35 Food Subs & Swaps for Healthy Family Meals . Just let us know where to send all your goodies!

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MICHELLE HALE & ANNIE DRADDY

About The Authors:

Michelle and Annie are co-founders of  Henry & Higby , a professional organizing company in New York City. They believe that life should be as simple as possible and that the process of getting organized can help.

If you need help organizing your life & home, contact them at  [email protected]

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Wow, these homework stations are amazing! Almost too pretty to work at. Haha. I like the wall organization ideas the most. Always good to get stuff up and off the desk!

Wow, this post is pack full of good ideas! I think it is so important to have a fun, bright station that get kids actually excited to do their homework! Beautiful post.

So much inspiration here!!! My oldest just started kindergarten but I want to have good habits established early and these ideas are great!

These are amazing ideas!! I’m saving for the future

Always such helpful posts! Thank you!

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15 Homework Organization and Art Display Ideas

By Becky Mansfield

Aug 18, 2020

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy .

School may be different this year, and if we’re not ready or organized, things can quickly become chaotic. Papers, homework, and artwork everywhere!    Luckily, we’ve put together some clever homework organization ideas as well as a cute homework station and ways to display your kids’ artwork.

1). If you have space, a designated homework station is a lifesaver. You don’t have to worry about papers and school supplies getting scattered all throughout the house because everything is right where you and your kids need it.

2). Keep a homework box handy with the supplies your child needs to complete homework without distractions.

4). I love this backpack and homework center . No backpacks littering the floor, and each child has cubbies for shoes or books.  Paperwork can go in baskets up top, too! 

5 ). Use a curtain wire to hang your children’s art and craft projects. Check out the vertical and horizontal pockets on her walls, too, for managing incoming papers and homework!

9).   You don’t have to get fancy with homework organization. One practical tip is to use magnetic clips for each child to keep their homework on the fridge . Simple, but effective. 

• Print it out.
• Hang it up with a clip.
• Take it off to work on it.
• Complete it. Submit it.  

10).  If you homeschool (or if your kids just need extra practice) individual work binders can be a huge help. Brilliant!

Parent Organization (for checking homework):

1). What’s missing from many homework stations? A parent basket! What a great way to keep up with papers that you have to hang on to for a while.

2). You’re a busy mom, so you may not have time to process those papers right away. An organizing basket works well!  Have a 2 or 3 spot hanging file: 1). “Please check”    2). “Working on it”   3). “Done” hanging caddy may be just what you need.  

3). Individual cork boards are a smart idea, too.  Process the papers right away when the kids get home from school, and homework, spelling words, etc. are pinned to the child’s corkboard. 

4). My favorite one is more of a keepsake idea.  Every year you’ll have a handful of things that you want to save for each child. Start a file storage system now with a folder for each grade .

Other Helpful Homework Ideas

Categorized as: Organize your Kid’s things! , The Home

I’m Becky, a former elementary school teacher turned certified child development therapist and blogger. I work at home with my husband and together we are raising (and partially homeschooling) our four children in the Carolinas. I love diet coke, ice cream, and spending time with my family.

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Hi Becky! Thank you for featuring the backpack and paper organizer, but that originally came from Pneumatic Addict’s blog. She did a guest post on my blog, but it originally appeared on her blog. Thanks!

Thanks for letting me know!! 🙂

What great organizational ideas. I love the printable homework sheet. That should help my son stay more organized. I am pinning it now. Thanks!

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Published: Aug 5, 2021 · Modified: Aug 28, 2021 by Rachel

30+ Homework Station Ideas for Kids and Teens

Ready to make your family’s after-school or home school routine a bit less stressful? An organized homework station is the answer! I’ve included easy tips for small spaces and multiple kids so everyone can have a quiet, supervised space to study.

Table of Contents

It’s back to school time again and along with that comes a flood of emotion. While its sad to see our babies growing up, my inner organizing dork gets a boost of excitement. Create a cheerful space with these homework station ideas to inspire learning, even if you’re short on space!

A homework station is an inviting area that is dedicated to learning, homework, and informal learning like arts and crafts project. Although the kitchen table will suffice for a quick review or a worksheet, we’ve found it’s nice to have a homework zone where school supplies, books, and school calendars can have a dedicated place of their own. This cuts back on clutter and distractions.

I was inspired to write this post because of what I’ve learned from our frustrations with my son’s severe ADHD. At first, homework hour was a stressful experience full of tears (mine), yelling and every possible distraction under the sun. No exaggeration – 20 minutes of homework regularly took almost 2 hours. The material was never the issue. Home school moms, you have my admiration!

That’s where a dedicated space and equitable ground rules saved the day (and my sanity!)

How To Setup a Homework Station

I’ve learned a lot over several incarnations of our homework space. Creating a basic homework station area is simple and effective with these tips below:

• Choose a quiet area. The biggest chance of success is to limit distractions. Preferably with a handy outlet for a laptop, or charging accessories like headphones. For my son, I find that headphones with music (on loop) works wonders.
• Stock it with necessities. My son is the king of wasting time looking for misplaced items. Before official homework time, I ask if he has everything he needs to minimize the chances of him getting up from the desk.
• Set a routine. Same time + Same space = Success. I personally give my son a short break after school before we get down to business.
• Keep ’em close. While we must balance distractions, young children especially need supervision and usually help.
• Minimize your own distractions. When my son was in elementary school, I couldn’t continue working from home during homework time. It wasn’t fair to ask him to stay focused, when I myself wasn’t focused on his questions. So I placed a tiny desk in our kitchen. That way I had both eyes on him while I washed dishes or prepped dinner. I was available, yet still productive.

Homework Station Supplies

Below is a handy list of supplies that are sometimes useful.

• Pens and pencils
• Loose leaf paper for scratch paper or notes
• A timer or clock
• A folder with pockets
• 1 box of color pencils or crayons
• Computer and charger
• A planner (checklists are the lifeblood of this house!)
• Craft supplies as necessary – glue sticks and scissors are examples
• A comfy chair

Homework Station Setup Ideas

Finding the right space is often the most challenging part! I’ve included some inspirational ideas below to get focused. You don’t need to have an elaborate space, but these are great jumping off points to inspire your creativity.

Nooks & Crannies

While most of us don’t have room for a dedicated office, there’s usually space to spare like under the staircase, an unused closet, or an awkward alcove . These centrally located spaces are often quiet and can be quite magical.

A small closet can be transformed into a useful desk space. Source: This Old House.

The unused space underneath a staircase like this desk is also perfect for using as a small homework station. This design utilizes fun lines and strokes to make it visually interesting.

Homework Stations that Foster Creativity

I honestly believe that adding a little creativity to the space fosters the desire to learn and leads to great ideas. Classrooms are full of stimulating decorations for a reason.

Here’s a few creative concepts to enhance your learning environment:

Inspirational quotes on a paintable chalkboard from Dawn Nicole add a touch of whimsy and keep students motivated during tough assignments.

A simple wall Children’s art display like the desk above allows kids to hang their accomplishments and past artwork.

Add a splash of color or maybe some wall flash cards.

While these beautiful spaces are awesome, sometimes we just need a simple option like this portable homework station .

More portable homework station ideas :

• Use a bath caddy to hold supplies so you can grab and go.
• A tiny desk and rolling cart makes it easy to move supplies where you need them, when you need them.
• I love my car seat organizer for homework on-the-go. It’s a lifesaver when I have to run errands.
• This fold away desk vault in a box is brilliant!

Room for Two (or more)

If you have more than one child, figure out how they learn best. Do they prefer to  study  together? Try setting up the desk so it can accommodate everyone. A collaborative study area is less isolating.

I’m a big fan of this option . Everyone has dedicated space and no one is encroaching on the other’s turf.

This desk utilizes a stacking bookshelf to create two separate work areas and provide ample storage for each user. To save space, you could also have the desks face each other with the bookshelf between them.

This study zone melds learning and fun. It’s an especially fantastic space for large families. The multi-functional area can accommodate everything from homework, to art projects, and amazing Lego builds.

During my own work hours, I share a space with my son. Our craft room makeover project had to include key elements like tandem workspaces, ample organization elements and creative ways to display our greatest hits!

PRO TIP: Peg Boards are excellent additions to any Homework Station. They allow you to customize your storage and wall display without limits. Here’s how we built a DIY pegboard organizer.

Space Saving Solutions

House a homework nook in even the tiniest space. These space saving desks are brilliant!

Wall Mounted Desk

Ladder Shelf

Wall mounted

Space Saving Shelf Desk

Do you have a dedicated studying area in your home? What’s your top tip for handling the daily homework assignments?

More Ideas You May Enjoy

PS I love seeing your creations! Be sure to take a photo and tag  #cravingcreative  on Instagram ! You can also  stay in touch with me through following me on  Instagram ,  Pinterest , and subscribing to the newsletter!

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August 31, 2015 at 11:36 pm

Meredith @ The Palette Muse says

August 31, 2015 at 10:42 pm

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Home » Blog Posts » Creative Classroom Whiteboard Organization Ideas for Upper Elementary

Creative Classroom Whiteboard Organization Ideas for Upper Elementary

• Blog Posts , Teacher Tips

Have you ever stood before your classroom whiteboard, wondering how it could be more than just a space for scribbled reminders and daily schedules? 🤔 T ransforming your whiteboard into an organized, creative hub can not only enhance your teaching experience but also inspire your upper elementary students. Let’s dive into some classroom whiteboard organization ideas and see how they can revolutionize your teaching space!

This post may contain affiliate links to Amazon for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, which do not cost any extra for you. Please see the   full disclosure here .

There was a time when setting up my classroom whiteboard felt like a chore. I’d look at that blank space and sigh, thinking of it as just another task. 🙄 But guess what? That all changed!

I started playing around with different organization strategies, and to my surprise, I found myself enjoying the process. It wasn’t just about getting organized; it was about creating an engaging and dynamic learning environment for my students. 🌟

Now, I eagerly anticipate setting up my whiteboard each year. It’s not just a tool; it’s a part of our classroom’s heart, keeping us all focused, motivated, and connected. And seeing the positive impact on my students? That’s the cherry on top! 🍒

What can I display on my classroom whiteboard?

Your whiteboard is more than just a tool; it’s a central part of your classroom’s daily journey. So, let your creativity flow and make it a vibrant, informative, and inspiring space for both you and your students! Below is a list of things that you can display on your classroom whiteboard.

• Learning Goals and Success Criteria: Start by outlining the objectives for each lesson or unit. This not only sets clear expectations but also helps students focus on the end goal. Pair these with success criteria to give students a roadmap for achieving these goals. 🎯
• Interactive Question of the Day: Encourage critical thinking and student engagement right from the start. Post a thought-provoking question related to your lesson or a fun, general knowledge question. This stimulates discussion and gets those young minds buzzing. 💭🐝
• Classroom Timetable and Daily Schedule: Visual timetables are a must for keeping the day organized. Include time slots for each subject, breaks, and special activities. This helps students mentally prepare for what’s ahead and aids in smoother transitions. ⏰
• Student Work and Achievements: Celebrate student success by displaying exemplary work or highlighting achievements. This not only boosts morale but also fosters a sense of pride and belonging in the classroom community. 🏆✨
• Homework and Upcoming Tests/Events: Keep a section for reminders about homework, upcoming tests, or special events. It’s a great way to ensure that important dates and assignments are not missed. 📅📚
• Motivational Quotes and Affirmations: A small section dedicated to motivational quotes or affirmations can significantly uplift the classroom atmosphere. Change these regularly to keep the inspiration fresh and relevant. 💬🌟
• Classroom Rules and Expectations: Reinforce positive behavior and classroom norms by having them visually present. This gentle reminder can help maintain a conducive learning environment. 📜👍

Classroom Whiteboard Organization Ideas

The best way to set up a purposeful classroom whiteboard is to keep it organized. Implementing these whiteboard hacks can make your classroom a more organized, engaging, and dynamic learning environment. Remember, the key is to be creative and adaptable to what works best for you and your students!

Sectioned Success

Create designated sections for different classroom needs – a section for daily objectives, another for homework assignments, a space for important announcements, and perhaps a special area for student shout-outs. This organized approach ensures that everything has its place. 📌

Color Coding Magic

Use different colored markers for various subjects or types of information. For example, use blue for math, red for language arts, and green for science. This not only brightens up the board but also helps students quickly identify relevant content. 🌈

Magnetic Marvels

Utilize magnetic strips or containers to keep your whiteboard markers and erasers handy. You can even have magnetic labels for each day of the week or subject, making it super easy to update the board. 🧲

Interactive Learning

Turn a section of your whiteboard into an interactive learning area. This could be a word of the day, a math problem for students to solve, or a space for students to write their thoughts or answers. 🤔✏️

Visual Aids

Incorporate visual aids like graphs, charts, or mind maps, especially for complex topics. These can be pre-drawn or built interactively with the class during lessons. 📊🧠

Removable Sections

Use sticky notes or removable whiteboard sheets for parts of your board that change frequently, like homework assignments or group project updates. This makes updating information a breeze. 📝

Student-Managed Sections

Assign a small section of the board to be managed by students – a place where they can post their own questions, interesting facts they’ve learned, or even a joke of the day. This encourages ownership and participation. 🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️

Rotating Responsibility

Each week, assign a ‘Whiteboard Wizard’ from your students, who gets the responsibility of updating certain sections of the board. This builds responsibility and allows for student creativity. 🧙‍♂️📆

Top Accessories to Purchase for Your Classroom Whiteboard

Looking to elevate your classroom whiteboard organization? Here are some hand-picked products that will not only enhance your whiteboard’s functionality but also add a touch of efficiency and style. Click on the pictures below to explore these must-have accessories that are a game-changer for any classroom setting! 🛒✨

An organized whiteboard is more than just a teaching tool; it’s a focal point of your classroom that can inspire and engage your students. By implementing these classroom whiteboard organization ideas, you’ll not only spruce up your teaching space but also enhance the learning experience of your upper elementary students. 🌟

Don’t forget to check out our new teacher Facebook groups for 2nd & 3rd grade and 4th & 5th grade, where you can find more practical ideas and connect with fellow educators:

• 2nd & 3rd Grade Group
• 4th & 5th Grade Group

Happy Teaching! 🍎✏️

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Homework Organization Made Easy

This post may contain affiliate links.  Please read our disclosure here .

What are your thoughts on homework? Every year is different for my kids, depending on the teacher they have. For me, homework is important. It helps me as a parent see what they are covering in class. However, as a teacher, it helps me see what my learners can do on their own. When I was in the classroom, I learned that homework works better when it’s organized. Homework organization was a big part of my back to school planning!

Homework the Right Way

There are definitely right and wrong ways to send homework home! The most important advice I give to first year teachers is to avoid sending new material home for homework. Homework material should be easy enough for students to do independently as extra practice.

Read over my Homework Do’s and Don’ts to get a better idea on a good homework system.

Stay Organized

Homework organization is important if you want to be consistent with homework. You may be wondering what I mean by that! How many times do you have students ask “where do I put my homework?” or “where do I turn in my homework?” When you have a consistent procedure with it, things run smoothly and you get more done.

From homework folders to book baggies, you need it all laid out and easy to use for your little learners and parents!

Here is how I set up my homework folders!

I start with a label on the front of the folder with each child’s name.

On the front left inside pocket, I place the monthly homework packet.

My homework helpers go on the inside right pocket. You’ll find your child’s book baggie.

A letter to the parents is included to explain the homework system.

My homework helpers are resources are beginning literacy skills that help students if they need it.

You can get your homework folders set up in no time! To help you with your organization, you can grab these homework organization labels for FREE by clicking the image below!

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Student Homework Planner Organization Tips

July 7, 2020 by Cristy

We all know the positive effects organization can have on our lives. Yet, organization is not something that is innate for many and is a skill that needs to be learned.  As teachers, it is important to give our students the skills they need to move forward as successfully as possible, and something as simple as teaching them homework organization skills and offering homework tips can really impact their success and self-confidence.

Homework agendas are a tool that can really help students stay organized, but we sometimes neglect to show them how to use this tool successfully at the start of the school year. Here are a few homework organization tips that students can use within their homework agendas to stay organized this school year.

As a tip, it is beneficial to have the same homework format for all students at the start of the school year. This will help you assist them by being able to teach the specific skills all at once. After that, if you find that certain students will benefit from a daily assignment agenda instead, you can alter it later, but they will hopefully have the initial steps mastered before then.

If you’re fortunate, your school will provide homework agendas for your students. If it doesn’t, creating a quick weekly homework format using Powerpoint, then running several copies for each student, will be beneficial. After, just three-hole punch them and have them place it in a duo tang folder.

The first step to help students with homework organization is to show them how to properly write assignments under each subject area. Show them how to find the date and the subject area where they will be writing down their assignments. Also, teach them some shorthand and frequently used abbreviations. Shorthand writing is acceptable and quite a timesaver, but don’t assume they know what it means. Explain it to them. (For example, WS means worksheet)

Explain and demonstrate to students how to cross out a homework assignment once it has been completed at home. (One simple line across the assignment will do.) Most of us know the joy of crossing something off on our “To Do” list, and students are no different. Not only will this provide them a sense of accomplishment,  but it will provide them with a visual cue that it has been completed.

In order to lessen the likelihood of hearing, “I did it, but I left it at home,” students will need to make sure they are properly packing their things at home just like they did at school. Teach them to circle the checkmark in their agenda once the supplies have been placed inside their book bag.

Show them how to highlight any important upcoming events or assignments. If a big project will be due on a certain day or specific materials are to be gathered and brought to school by a certain date, show them how to highlight those specific items, so it stays in the forefront.

Lastly, have them quickly find the page they will be writing on by teaching them to make a diagonal fold once the week is over. This quick tip I learned from my friend Chrissy over at Undercover Classroom . I had tried paper clips and sticky notes with my students, but at one point or another, those would get lost. This is a no fail quick way to have students find their page quickly and keeps things moving in the classroom.

It is a great practice to check the homework agendas daily the first week of school in order to make sure that the students are using the agendas as tool correctly. On the second week of school, you may want to check every other day.

I am including the Homework Planner Key here for you in case you are interested in printing it out for your students’ planners. Click on the image below to download it.

If you have students still struggling with their homework organization skills, you may want to move them over to a daily agenda format . This is a bit more time consuming since you have to make more copies and will need to monitor students more closely, but it is a GREAT alternative for those two or three students in your class who become overwhelmed seeing an entire week at once. I usually use this system with one or two of my students each year once I see that they are still struggling after the first quarter of the year.

Do you have any quick student organization ideas or homework tips you use with your students? If so, I’d love to hear them. Feel free to share them with me in the comment section.

You may also be interested in checking out:

July 8, 2020 at 9:43 pm

I have students highlight what they need to do at home in their planner.

July 9, 2020 at 6:28 am

I like this idea. This way it stands out to them. Thank you for sharing.

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10 Teacher Organization Hacks to Help You Regain Your Sanity

Use these organizational tips to keep stress from creeping into your classroom.

My mother likes to tell the story of how, when I was 3 years old, I announced rather matter-of-factly that I was “born to organize.” Teaching is a hard job, and much of the stress involved is beyond our control. Being organized, however, is one thing that any teacher can do to reduce stress, create a more orderly classroom and ultimately be more effective at helping students learn. Here are my best organizational hacks.

1. Try a “Look Up” Board

Have a dedicated bulletin board in the classroom where you post the daily schedule, school calendar, classroom rules, school discipline rubrics and other information that students routinely ask about.

2. Create an Agenda Grid

Tape off a grid on a section of the white board using electrical tape. Have columns for the day’s agenda, homework, upcoming tests or deadlines, and a column for the bell ringer activity. Be sure to have a space where you write the date each day.

3. Use an A.W.O.L. (Absent Work Organizational Log) Binder

Get a binder with section dividers for each hour or course you teach. On a sheet of loose-leaf paper in each section, simply write down the date and what was done in that class that day and what work needs to be turned in. Be sure to punch holes in it and insert any handouts or other assignments.

4. Use a Guest-Teacher Lesson Plan Binder

Every teacher must have this on his or her desk at all times—seriously. Include everything a guest teacher would possibly need to know about your class: policies and rules, schedule, which teacher to see for assistance, and the name of at least one trustworthy student in each hour. Be sure to include an emergency “I’m so sick I can’t get out of bed” lesson plan, which stands alone from any unit and could be used anytime at a moment’s notice.

5. Keep a Place for Reminders

Designate a spot on your white board to write upcoming school events and do a quick rundown of the next few days’ events at the beginning of each class.

6. Always Have an Expandable Folder

Instead of file folders and stacks on the desk to organize papers to grade, use an expandable file folder. Have an IN and an OUT file for each hour. Put papers to be graded in the IN file, and put them in the OUT file when they are graded and ready to pass back. This also makes things easy to transport if you need to take papers home to catch up on grading, and it helps prevent getting behind on grading.

7. Prioritize Grading

Collect homework at the end of a unit of study. This saves paper, gives students some wiggle room to complete assignments before having to turn them in, and saves your sanity. At the end of a unit, collect a pack of homework and simply check it for completion.

8. Sync Your Calendars

Keep your calendar on Outlook or your Google account and sync it to your smartphone. This way you’ll never forget that parent meeting or assembly again.

9. Use Online Lesson Plan Books

Instead of writing out lesson plan book entries by hand, try out one of the many apps or websites that bring the traditional lesson plan book into the modern era. It takes some getting used to, but it’s great for staying organized.

10. Try Cloud Storage

Ditch the file cabinets! Pitch what you don’t need and scan what you do. Both Google and Microsoft have cloud storage options. You can access your files from work, home, even your smartphone.

What are your favorite organizational tricks? Please share in the comments!

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Hello Fifth

A Teaching Blog

Homework and Homework Club 101

January 8, 2022 by Jill Shafer

Hello, friend!  Let’s talk about homework club and what it looks like in our classroom.

I have used THIS with students in grades three through five but, like with anything, tweak it to meet the needs of your kids .

Disclaimer to start: I’m not here to argue for or against homework.  We have a district responsibility and understanding that homework is a component of the day and not to exceed a certain length of time.  For us, it’s ten minutes per grade level so by fifth grade, no student should be spending more than 50 minutes on homework each evening.

I will, obviously, modify homework for students, as well as provide time in class for homework completion.

Homework is never anything new; it is always review and for us, it’s very predictable, which I’ll share below.

For our room, here’s what is assigned:

-Reading Plus (a program used district-wide): Our fifth graders are responsible for completing three SRs and three RA assignments each week.  They can work at their own pace but we HIGHLY encourage doing at least one each evening.  This is OFTEN done in class but takes anywhere from five (the vocabulary assignments) to twenty minutes.

-Language: There is either a brief spelling activity (first semester) or Wordly Wise activity (second semester). This should take about ten minutes.

-Math: Students are assigned 6-10 review problems, which come straight from their workbooks.  This is usually content that was taught in class about a week ago.  We are constantly spiraling to review.  Once a week, students are asked to do only Jiji, another district-wide math program.  They do this in lieu of a workbook page that night.  Regardless, it takes about twenty minutes.

Okay!  So with that said, homework is always on our May Do board, meaning that if all their other assignments are completed, they can go ahead and work on their homework.  They may not know the math workbook page that night but they can always do Reading Plus, Jiji, or Wordly Wise.

We fill out our planners every afternoon, right before we clean up to go home (our district provides students in grades three through five with the same planners and I model it every single day under the document camera).

I am well aware that students go home to varying levels of parental support and I do not ever want a child to leave feeling like the homework is unattainable.  I am always available to help, whether that’s checking in after-school or being available before school.

Additionally, math in our room is never graded for correctness.  Student get their point if it was completed and effort was shown.  After our math warm up, we go over answers and students will ask for certain problems to be worked out together.

I have homework checkers (two students) that go around during math and star the page if work is shown and the problems are completed.

For Reading Plus, spelling/Wordly Wise, and Jiji (ST Math), I do not check for completion until Friday morning. This gives students an opportunity to practice daily habits (math workbook) with time management throughout the week (reading and vocabulary).

Now, on Friday, if all assignments have been completed, this is where the homework club kicks in.

During soft starts (you can read more about that HERE ), I call students up.  ALL students get called up one by one.  We either go over missing assignments OR they get a punch for their card.

These cards are kept in pencil boxes and treated very seriously.

The resource contains so many different options but I like to use these, pictured.  In order to get a punch (I have some fun ones in HERE ), all assignments must be done.

Missing one or two?  It’s okay.  We talk a lot about the reasons why it might have happened, what we can do next time, or how we can reach out for help if needed.

Not all kids get their cards punched every week and that’s okay.

We celebrate homework club every six weeks.  This gives kids a chance to “catch up” if they missed something one week.

Coming to homework club means they have their card with all their punches and they’re ready to celebrate!

Homework club can look a hundred different ways and I try to switch it up so that it stays exciting and motivating.

Here are some ideas we’ve done in the past:

-Eat lunch with the teacher

-Muffins/breakfast before school

-Trade your homework club card for a homework pass

-Lunchtime movie or craft (they LOVE the crafts and I’m always looking for inexpensive ideas on Pinterest)

-Board game tournament after school or at lunch

-Special games at recess (I’ll get out THESE things and they’ll play together)

-Popsicles after school

-Trade your homework club card for a small surprise (they love fidgets, puzzle erasers, play dough cans, slime, fun pencils; I have a ton in HERE )

You really can modify it to work for YOU and your class but it’s another little layer of motivation.  It also gives me an opportunity to talk to kids about time management skills.  My kids leave elementary school and head off to middle school, which is a new ballgame with changing classes and having multiple teachers.

So, I try to keep homework doable and relevant, accessible and meaningful.  Homework club is just a little bonus!

Any questions?  Ask below!

January 23, 2022 at 4:11 pm

Hi Jill! Thanks for the blog on homework. I’ve been wanting to spruce up my program, and I even looked for homework ideas on here last summer. I do similar stuff with math review, spelling, and book talk prep. I do have a question… what kind of planner do you use? I think I’ll start using planners next year, but I wonder if there are really simple, cheap ones out there. Also, have you had kids lose their planners? Right now, we use homework folders, and I have three kids who are always misplacing their folders and needing a new one. Those repeat offenders are working on responsibility and organization 🙂 and they’ll get it eventually. Thanks again for all of the great ideas. I may even implement a homework club soon! Andie

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Organize Your Homework With Color Coded Supplies

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Whether you are in high school, college, or beyond, organization is key to academic success. Did you know that you can actually improve your grades if you can organize your homework and study time effectively? One way to do this is to incorporate a color coding system into your homework routine.

Here's how it works.

1. Gather a Set of Inexpensive, Colored Supplies

You may want to start with a pack of colored highlighters, then find folders, notes, and stickers to match them.

• Sticky notes
• Highlighters
• Colored labels, flags, or round stickers (for sale items)

2. Select a Color for Each Class

For example, you may want to use the following colors with a system like this:

• Orange=World History
• Green=Math
• Red=Biology
• Yellow=Health or PE
• Blue=Geography
• Pink=Literature

3. Make a Mental Connection Between the Color and the Class

For instance, you might relate the color green to money—to make you think of math.

You may have to play around with the color system to make each color makes sense for each class. This is just to get you started. The color connection will be clear in your mind after a few days.

4. Folders 

Obviously, you'll use each folder to keep track of homework for each class. The type of folder isn't important; just use the type that is best for you or the type that your teacher requires.

5. Sticky Notes 

Sticky notes are useful when doing library research, writing down book and article titles, quotes, brief passages to use in your paper, bibliographical citations , and reminders. If you can’t carry around several packs of sticky notes, then keep white notes and use colored pens.

6. Colored Flags 

These handy markers are for marking pages or reading assignments in books. When your teacher gives a reading assignment, just place a colored flag at the beginning and ending points.

Another use for colored flags is marking a date in your organizer. If you carry around a calendar, always place a flag marker on a date when an important assignment is due. That way, you'll have a constant reminder that a due date is approaching.

7. Highlighters

Highlighters should be used when reading over your notes. In class, take notes as normal—and be sure to date them. Then, at home, read over and highlight in an appropriate color.

If papers get separated from your folder (or never make it into your folder) you can easily recognize them by the colored highlights.

8. Labels or Round Stickers 

Stickers or labels are great for keeping your wall calendar organized. Keep a calendar in your room or office, and place a color-coded sticker on the day that an assignment is due.

For instance, on the day you receive a research paper assignment in history class, you should place an orange sticker on the due date. This way, everyone can see an important day approaching, even at a glance.

Why Use Color Coding?

Color coding can come in useful in a number of ways, even for a very  disorganized student . Just think: if you see a random paper floating around you’ll be able to know at a glance if it’s a history note, research paper note, or math paper.

Organizing your notes and paperwork isn’t the only part of a good homework system. You need a space designated for the time spent studying and working that is also well kept and organized.

Ideally, you should have a desk in a well-lit, comfortable, and quiet area. Keeping your workspace organized is just as important as your work. Even though you may keep a planner with you, a wall calendar can be exceptionally useful. School isn’t your whole life and sometimes you have a lot of clubs and engagements to keep track of. Having all that information in one spot will help you organize everything in your life, to make sure you never have conflicting obligations.

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6 Homework Apps to Help Keep You Organized

Managing everything you have to do as a student can seem like a full-time job. With so many classes, activities, club meetings, and homework assignments thrown at you every day, it can be very overwhelming to keep track of it all.

Luckily, there are some great homework apps you can install on your phone or tablet that can help you know what classes you have coming up each day and stay on top of all of your assignments.

Here are six of our favorites. We hope these help you stay organized all year long!

Although the myHomework app supports traditional school schedules as well as block schedules, it does not support alternating block schedules, so if you have an A/B schedule, this is probably not the app for you.

• My Study Life This app is a full-fledged homework management app with its own web application, which is awesome because you can check your assignments from your computer or your phone. Plus, the calendar view shows all of your classes and assignments at the same time, and it shows you incomplete tasks that are due soon so you know what to work on first. The design is unique, too, with circles showing what percentage of a task is completed and how much more you have to go. Available for: iPhone, Android, Windows 8, Windows Phone and the web. Requires iOS 8.0 or later. Cost: Free

Another cool feature is that you can organize all of your assignments by date, course or priority, and you can sort them by pending and completed as well. Other bonus features include the ability to add contact info for all of your teachers and the ability to enter your grades so you can track how your GPA is doing.

Unfortunately, none of the apps listed above will actually do your homework for you — that part’s still up to you — but at least they’ll make it more likely that you’ll get it finished on-time and stress-free.

The organization was established over 50 years ago and works “to change the trajectory of high-potential Black youth by providing unique programming in the classroom and beyond.” Their scholars complete a four-year fellowship that includes academic enrichment, leadership development, career exposure, mentoring and college access.

Students must maintain a grade point average near 3.0 to remain in good standing with the organization — a bar the organization sets knowing full well that access to scholarships and grants for college will be the only way that most of its students can afford to go. Not all students meet this threshold despite mentoring from caring adults and strong support from administrative staff. Thus additional academic supports are needed.

Over many years, EE provided programs to help get students back on track if they started to flounder and to establish academic habits that put them on a trajectory for success. We started by offering weekly group tutoring events at the organization’s facility that not only helped students with homework completion and exam prep but also provided lessons on learning strategies, goal setting, and self-advocacy. However, traveling to the facility after school was a burden for some scholars, so EE tutors also met students at libraries and other public locations to provide support in specific subject areas where students requested help. Year after year we met with administrators and added additional resources: a summer school study skills workshop for freshmen and final exam prep workshops for all grade levels. Our unique array of programs allowed the organization to support their scholars at every stage of their academic journey.

The mission of the organization is to fight for economic mobility among highly motivated, first-generation college students by providing mentoring and intensive career development. The agency was founded on the belief that socioeconomic status should not be a barrier to college persistence and career success. 

Their staff found that many of their participants were struggling with writing assignments of all sorts in college. From essays in English class to writing cover letters for potential summer internships, many students were not effective writers. The organization provided various career development workshops throughout the academic year, but they lacked a writer’s workshop to specifically address this area of weakness. 

We met with program managers and the executive director to discuss their students’ needs and what type of program would be beneficial. The Writer’s Practice Workshop was an ideal fit for them. The course allowed students to understand that everyone is a writer even if they don’t think of themselves as such. Over the course of four sessions students assessed their own writing process; discussed the tools of a good writer’s practice; considered the audience, purpose, and the needs of any piece; and produced writing on topics that were important to them. Students left the workshop with a greater understanding of how to start assignments and follow steps to revise, edit, and polish for best results, giving them confidence in their writing. 

The organization’s mission is to provide opportunities for underserved youth to achieve academic and personal success via financial, educational and personal support during their high school years. They provide tuition assistance to attend a high-quality school along with the guidance and commitment of caring, adult mentors. They aim to serve an often overlooked segment: academically “average” students from the city’s most challenging and underserved neighborhoods.

Program staff wanted to help their students prepare for final exams and train mentors to more effectively support students in their exam prep efforts. Volunteer mentors were available to give support, but the organization lacked a consistent approach on how best to help students and make them better learners.

EE met with program administrators and board members to plan and implement a Final Exams Workshop in the lead-up to final exams. The 3-hour workshop was attended by students and their mentors on a Saturday morning. The curriculum helped students create DIY study guides for any class, plan a study schedule, prioritize final exams by difficulty and need, assess and discuss their strengths and weaknesses in regards to learning strategies, and share with peers their successes or concerns. We also facilitated a conversation between mentors and mentees as to how they could best support their students in the coming weeks. Students and mentors left the workshop with a blueprint for attacking finals week in the most efficient way — a plan they could use for high school and college.

The organization supported immigrants and their families by connecting women from over 60 countries who share a dedication to the pursuit of global understanding and universal human rights. As part of their philanthropic arm, the organization supported a local elementary school they had identified as highly diverse with a large number of immigrant students. Before engaging EE, the organization relied mostly on volunteers to provide reading support to students during school hours. 

After discussions with the organization and the school principal, teachers, families, and other stakeholders, we developed a school year calendar of after school programs that would help students develop the skills needed to succeed in elementary school and beyond. We provided courses for grades 5-8 in the spring and fall, greatly expanding the enrichment opportunities the NFP was able to provide. In doing so, we developed a close relationship with the school administration and their teaching staff, who saw the positive impact the program was having on their students. Additionally, the NFP was able to expand their mission to areas where they saw a great need: improving study skills, raising test scores, and increasing access to high school opportunities for immigrant youth. 

A scholarship foundation funded by a suburban country club was disappointed with the caliber of student who typically applied for their college scholarship offerings. Knowing that the skills needed for success in college must be cultivated from an early age, they wanted to establish a summer enrichment program for students entering 9th and 10th grade that would serve as an early intervention and better position the pool of applicants when the time came a few years later to apply for the college scholarships.

We collaborated with the foundation to identify areas of strength and weakness in their applicant pool and listened to their personal beliefs about what it takes to succeed in college. With that understanding, we customized a version of the Summer Learners’ Workshop that lays the foundation for college-level skills and caters to the learning styles and academic backgrounds of the particular students at this organization.

The resulting program has gained a reputation as one of the top summer enrichment experiences in that community with parents routinely reporting that the results exceeded their expectations. The program is now attended by an even wider array of students than those who were first targeted by the foundation.

A charter school network was seeking to implement a test prep program across eight campuses to prepare their 8th grade students for the Chicago Public Schools selective enrollment entrance exam. The high school admissions process is highly competitive, and it was the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic when students were learning from home. The schools did not have expert knowledge about the contents of the test, and finding staff at their schools to cover a program outside of school hours would be challenging. Administrators knew how competitive the admissions process was and that even their strongest students were not guaranteed a spot. For equity, they wanted to offer the course to all of their students – even those who were very unlikely to be admitted to a selective enrollment school. 

Given the wide array of students, the EE team worked with individual school counselors to create ability groupings, determine a process for reporting attendance, progress, and behavior issues, and create a curriculum that would be effective in a remote learning model. We knew that remote engagement for an after school program would be a challenge, so we incorporated competitive team games, a leaderboard of accomplishments, and other incentives to encourage maximum participation. EE provided all management and instructional staffing to deliver the test prep course successfully while freeing up teachers and counselors at the charter school to focus on their daily workload. Students received a robust course focused on strategies, practice tests, and concept review that put them in the best position to maximize their potential on test day. 

A leading scholarship fund that provides financial assistance for highly qualified, low-income students knew that financial aid alone would be insufficient to ensure their students’ success at rigorous private and parochial high schools. Therefore, they sought an intensive summer program to prepare scholars for what lay ahead. 

EE worked with the organization to determine the biggest challenges scholars would face. We landed on a wide array of non-cognitive skills that are not necessarily taught in middle school: time management, organization, self-advocacy, focus, growth mindset, etc. Inspired by this challenge, we developed our Ideal Student Workshop, which would later become the basis for our Learners’ Workshop.

Over a decade later we are still delivering the program to students at this scholarship fund and others. The program works to develop the three dimensions of successful students: character, learning strategies and habits. We update the program yearly to keep up with changes in student needs and the educational landscape. Our fun and research-based curriculum continues to be a popular summer bridge for various organizations. 

A prominent sports-based youth development organization wanted to improve one of the core elements of their program: providing educational enrichment programs to their participants.

Their goal was to offer a continuum of services for 9th-12th graders that would support students in their schoolwork, provide a pathway to college, and create a culture of learning amongst players. EE was uniquely positioned to offer a variety of services to meet this need: private tutoring, study skills classes, writing courses, high school admissions test prep, SAT/ACT prep, and college readiness seminars. We listened to the players, parents, and other stakeholders to determine which programs were most effective, established expectations for participants, and decided on the best timing and format to deliver the courses.

Since 2017 we have successfully delivered these services allowing their administrative team to focus on their primary coaching responsibilities. Ultimately, the best praise we have received is that we have provided a wide circle of caring adults to support students academically and emotionally and that we have listened to their needs and adapted our offerings to suit their participants.

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Dear ADDitude: How Can I Help My Son Stay Organized?

“my 12-year-old can’t keep track of papers, forgets to turn in assignments, and loses his notes. what can we do” the additude community responds..

ADDitude Answers

People often recommend colored folders for organization, but they did not help my son. What we found worked best (after a million different tries!) was one large binder that holds everything .

So, inside that large binder (Case It brand, which is heavy duty because my son picks at and tears apart everything) is:

> One pocket folder for all papers. (He cannot manage multiple folders, so the goal is to just get everything in the binder and home.)

> Planner, with binder clip holding open the current week.

> Pencils in the zipper pocket (which I have to replenish almost every day-don’t know what he does with 3-4 pencils each day, but they disappear)

> Extra paper, lined and graph (only 10 or so sheets)

[ Free Webinar Replay: How to Start (and End) the School Year Organized ]

Even that is tough to manage for my son (6th grade). I have gone 3 rounds with every teacher for several years now to help him write in his planner and put appropriate materials in the binder. Right now, his special ed teacher fills it out every day-I have asked several times for them to oversee HIM doing it, so he will learn these skills, but her writing it all down was the best I could do.

You should ask for a similar accommodation. Ideally, each teacher during each class is checking his planner for accuracy and his folder for materials needed.

Here’s more ideas for organization at school:

> 9 Tips for Using a School Planner Successfully

> Keeping it Together in Middle School: Your Organized ADHD Teen

> Help Your ADHD Child Organize Homework

> Organization Skills for Students

Posted by Penny Williams ADDconnect Moderator, Author on Parenting ADHD, Mom to teen boy with ADHD, LDs, and autism

[ Your Free Guide to Solving Disorganization at School ]

A Reader Answers

My son is also 12 and in middle school. His teacher still checks his planner every afternoon and I still check it in the evening. We make sure he writes himself notes to remember things in it (as well as the homework everyone is copying from the board) and follow up with reminders too. The usual small planner they give middle schoolers wasn’t enough for my son, so I designed my own. It has lots of space for him to write, a section for each subject each day, and check boxes to check things off as he goes.

To keep track of his work at school, he has a Duo-Tang folder for each subject. The other kids have binders, but he just couldn’t keep it organized. We thought having everything all in one place would be a good thing, but it didn’t work for our son. Finally, every so often, the class aide helps him go through the folders and organize things.

His teacher is pushing him to get notes from friends for things he misses, which I think is important, but it’s very hit or miss at this point. I’m hoping this is a skill he can pick up this year and next in time for high school where teachers won’t follow after him as much as they do now.

Posted by Rai0414

It sounds like your son needs help with: turning in assignments, remembering what is said in class, and being organized.

Here are some tips my family has tried:

1) Get a different color folder for each subject. Then, attach a bright colored Post-It note that extends beyond the folder to each homework assignment that needs to be turned in. Every time he sees the flag he will know to hand it in.

2) Ask the teacher if your child could have a copy of another child’s notes if he isn’t ready to take notes in class, or loses his.

3) Ask the school to start using an app (e.g., Showbie) where the instruction for each class is posted so parents can be sure work is completed.

4) Teach your son to use a planner and check the planner nightly (Mom’s and Dad’s homework). When you do this, go through his backpack and help him find places for loose papers. Offer rewards for writing in his planner,

5) Ask the teacher to assign a peer buddy (everyone in class should have one) who you can call to find out assignments that don’t get written down.

Posted by BensonAdvocates

I know some people advocate color coding – anything that will draw attention. It sounds good, but never really worked for our son and it wasn’t a system that he, himself, was good at “operating.” We found that the simpler the better had to be our motto. Instead of an agenda, which apparently was too much trouble, I made weekly, agenda cards on large index cards, with classes listed in order. This went on top of the stuff in his multi-subject binder, so he only had to pull ONE thing out of his backpack. We also went back to a one folder system similar to elementary school – papers to come home, papers to be turned in. Because homework is often given out at the very end of class, he truly didn’t have time to put it with the right class, so that could be done when he got home.

Anything we try to do has to be revisited over and over because he continues to resist the very systems that keep him afloat. That is our most fervent wish – for him to fully acknowledge that he needs the help and then actually use it. I can’t tell you how many lists we’ve created that he then ignores. This is one of those executive function things that he may never actually “learn” and I had to realize that to manage my own frustration. Unfortunately, the only people we have met to date that get this are the Special Ed staff.

When he is overwhelmed by the quantity of work, (especially with projects) I take a look. If it is something I think can be accommodated, I email the teacher and ask if there can be a reduction in scope or amount so that he can still show the level of work s/he is looking for without penalizing him for being slow on task.

Posted by BLF

One idea that has worked with my 6th grader is to have a red folder in addition to his binder. The binder should be organized every evening, but what parent wants to do that each night? Instead I put two signs inside the red folder, one that says “work to be handed in” and the other that says “work to be completed.” I remind my son every morning to show the folder to his teachers so that whatever work is done, gets handed in and he gets credit for it. Then, each night I look through it. We organize the binder once a week. The folder has been working for about 3 weeks. Good luck.

Posted by LFD

My son is 15 and does very well in school, but he has always had a problem with turning in his assignments and projects. His poor executive functions keep him from following through.

We’ve tried therapy, medication – you name it – but it didn’t help. What does help are constant reminders. I’m an ADHD adult and I have reminders for everything . I’ve gotten my son an iPhone so he can use the reminder apps, and notes to keep track of what’s due.

It’s more work for you, but you may want to try to sit with him every evening and talk about what’s due and if you can, set reminders for the next day. That has worked better than anything else for my son and me. I hope that was helpful.

Posted by TMC

This question was originally asked on the ADDConnect forums.

[ Calendars, Clocks, and Confidence: Organizational Skills for School ]

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NASP: The National Association of School Psychologists

Homework Organization & Planning Skills Interventions,2nd Ed

Product ID: N2008

Joshua Langberg

Member Price: $56.00

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Homework Organization & Planning Skills Interventions (HOPS), 2nd Ed

This practical manual gives you evidence-based interventions for students who struggle with organization, time management, and planning skills. Get session-by-session instructions, printable forms, strategies for teaching online organization and time management, and multiple intervention adaptations to help students achieve their full academic potential.

Use this resource to:

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• Teach students to self-manage and maintain new skills long term

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AtlantiCare Chief Nursing Executive earns prestigious American Organization for Nursing Leadership Board Member position

AtlantiCare Chief Nursing Executive earns prestigious American Organization for Nursing Leadership Board Member position for region two

Highly decorated nurse-leader helene burns adds another accolade to her resume with aonl board seat.

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ, August 15, 2024  - AtlantiCare, the award-winning healthcare organization and largest in southeastern New Jersey, proudly announces Chief Nursing Executive, Helene Burns DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAONL, FAAN, has been appointed to the Board of Directors region two of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL).

"Helene's unwavering dedication, outstanding leadership, and commitment to excellence have made a tremendous impact at AtlantiCare, and we are grateful to have her. A truly well-deserved honor, Helene's appointment to the board of the American Organization of Nurse Leaders is a testament to her influence on the industry and our community; no one deserves this recognition more," said Michael Charlton, President and CEO of AtlantiCare.

Dr. Burns, who started her nursing career at AtlantiCare, re-joined the award-winning health system in December 2023 and oversees nursing care for over 2,000 nursing staff, 574 licensed beds, and more than 100 locations in Southern New Jersey. Burns was most recently at Jefferson Health as the Regional Chief Nursing Officer and has held leadership positions in New Jersey, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Texas throughout her extensive career.

Dr. Burns has held the position of the President of the New Jersey Organization of Nurse Leaders and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and AONL, continues to be involved in various organizations, including serving on the Garden State Council, Boy Scouts of America® Women of Achievement Committee, and the Rutgers School of Nursing. She holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Nursing from Widener University and a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from the University of Pittsburgh.

“I am thrilled to be on the AONL Board, representing region two and cannot wait to get started. We have a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with clinical and administrative leadership to make a meaningful difference in our profession and create healthier work environments for all. I look forward to working with my fellow board members, new and existing,” said Dr. Burns.

For more information on this appointment and other AtlantiCare content, visit atlanticare.org or on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube, @AtlantiCare. Instagram and X, @AtlantiCareNJ.

About AtlantiCare 

AtlantiCare is an award-winning integrated healthcare system based in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, whose team of more than 6,500 serves the community in over 100 locations in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, and Ocean counties of southern New Jersey. Committed to an innovative approach to providing the best care in the industry, AtlantiCare has a vision of building healthy communities that drives its mission of making a difference in health and healing, one person at a time. Learn more at atlanticare.org or call 1-888-569-1000. 

About the American Organization for Nursing Leadership 

As the national professional organization of more than 12,000 nurse leaders, the American Organization for Nursing Leadership is the voice of nursing leadership. Our membership encompasses nurse leaders working in hospitals, health systems, academia and other care settings across the care continuum. Since 1967, the organization has led the field of nursing leadership through professional development, advocacy and research that advances nursing leadership practice and patient care. AONL is an affiliate of the American Hospital Association. For more information, visit AONL.org/AONL, @tweetaonl. 

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