Back-to-school season is the second most profitable time of year for retailers (after Christmas, of course). Advertisements, "special deals," and in-store displays are designed to lure you off course, tempt you to spend more money and specifically prey on your desire to "finally get organized!"
But, "back-to-school" organization is much more about systems than it is about stuff. Don’t be tempted by the "loaded" new binder or "pretty" new notebooks. There is usually a very high correlation among school and paper-management supplies: the more features something has, the more expensive AND ineffective it tends to be. Below, you will find a list of supplies, broken down into three categories of systems: Time Management, Supply Management, and Paper Management.
Time Management
Time Management is an issue for students of all ages AND for their families. It is very difficult for a student to manage his or her time well in a family that does not. Ten minutes a week can resolve this issue. Grab the family calendar and have an informal "Sunday Summit." Coordinate schedules for the week: upcoming sports practices, after-school activities, scheduled appointments test and project due-dates. Have your children make notes in their planners.
Managing an Effective Sunday Summit
The key to an effective Sunday Summit is to make it a conversation, not an interrogation. This means you must share your schedule, too. Do you have a big deadline at work? Are you planning to finally get to the gym to do a workout? Share you deadlines and your goals with your kids. You may be surprised how receptive they will be! At the very least, you will all start your week on the "same page."
Supplies Needed
* Family calendar (basic monthly calendar).
* One academic planner for each child (The best planners are slender–not bulky–spiral books with a monthly calendar and space for daily assignment entries. Planners are often supplied by the school).
Supply Management
Most households have a "silverware sorter." This is a tray with slots that are designated for spoons, forks, knives and silverware. In just about any home, you can quickly determine where to put the spoons based on the organization of the silverware tray.
This common household item inspired what I have called the "Silverware Sorter Theory." This theory states that items will remain organized if there is a designated location to place them and they are easily accessible.
How Does the Silverware Sorter Theory Apply to School Supplies?
Supplies should have a specific storage location in the book bag and a designated place at home.
In the book bag, students can use a front pocket of the bag or a supply case to store pens and pencils. If students cannot carry a book bag during the school day, they can snap a 3-ring pencil case into their binder (see Paper Management).
At home, a designated bucket or basket for common household school supplies (pens, pencils, scissors, stapler, tape, markers, etc.) not only keeps items neat and organized; it also helps students manage time better. With an established storage location students will no longer have to romp all around the house to find needed supplies.
But, "back-to-school" organization is much more about systems than it is about stuff. Don’t be tempted by the "loaded" new binder or "pretty" new notebooks. There is usually a very high correlation among school and paper-management supplies: the more features something has, the more expensive AND ineffective it tends to be. Below, you will find a list of supplies, broken down into three categories of systems: Time Management, Supply Management, and Paper Management.
Time Management
Time Management is an issue for students of all ages AND for their families. It is very difficult for a student to manage his or her time well in a family that does not. Ten minutes a week can resolve this issue. Grab the family calendar and have an informal "Sunday Summit." Coordinate schedules for the week: upcoming sports practices, after-school activities, scheduled appointments test and project due-dates. Have your children make notes in their planners.
Managing an Effective Sunday Summit
The key to an effective Sunday Summit is to make it a conversation, not an interrogation. This means you must share your schedule, too. Do you have a big deadline at work? Are you planning to finally get to the gym to do a workout? Share you deadlines and your goals with your kids. You may be surprised how receptive they will be! At the very least, you will all start your week on the "same page."
Supplies Needed
* Family calendar (basic monthly calendar).
* One academic planner for each child (The best planners are slender–not bulky–spiral books with a monthly calendar and space for daily assignment entries. Planners are often supplied by the school).
Supply Management
Most households have a "silverware sorter." This is a tray with slots that are designated for spoons, forks, knives and silverware. In just about any home, you can quickly determine where to put the spoons based on the organization of the silverware tray.
This common household item inspired what I have called the "Silverware Sorter Theory." This theory states that items will remain organized if there is a designated location to place them and they are easily accessible.
How Does the Silverware Sorter Theory Apply to School Supplies?
Supplies should have a specific storage location in the book bag and a designated place at home.
In the book bag, students can use a front pocket of the bag or a supply case to store pens and pencils. If students cannot carry a book bag during the school day, they can snap a 3-ring pencil case into their binder (see Paper Management).
At home, a designated bucket or basket for common household school supplies (pens, pencils, scissors, stapler, tape, markers, etc.) not only keeps items neat and organized; it also helps students manage time better. With an established storage location students will no longer have to romp all around the house to find needed supplies.
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