Organizational Strategies

Getting Organized

Goal for student organization:

Students will be able to access their daily schedule, have all school materials accessible and organized (could be physical and/or digital files), develop a way to track assignments/tests and have a system for charging their device.

Article supplemented and taken from: https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/tips-for-parents-online-learning-with-children

Tips for Having a successful learning environment at home for Families and students:

1. Make an organized space for learning

Have a specific area of the home to do work. Students will achieve their best work in a quiet, comfortable, and dedicated space that is strictly devoted to learning. This space should be a different set-up from where you play games or watch television. Have access to all your school materials as well as have a dedicated space to recharge their electronics.

2. Design a system for tracking assignment due dates and study time for assessments.

Using a daily To-Do list with scheduled meetings or a develop and utilize a system to organize long term assignments. Set up reminders on your device in Outlook or other accessible apps. This could utilize hi-tech or low tech.

3. Limit distraction

A “digital quarantine” might be necessary to keep your attention focused on schoolwork. Limit the use of your devices, other than what is needed to complete work.

4. Maintain breaks such as snack time and recess

Routines and schedules are extremely important for school, and this is no different in at-home school. Students will function best if they maintain their routine as close to normal as possible. Setting alarms similar to those they would encounter at school can be helpful for keeping them on a schedule. Around lunch time, encourage them to get up, get some fresh air, go for a walk or bike ride, or have a snack so that they are not sedentary for the entire day.

5. Allow them to interact with friends via video chats

Students are used to lots of social contact at school, so they will definitely feel the effects of being distanced from them even after a few days. Please interact and stay connected with friends online.

6. Mix screen time with old school learning mediums

Overuse of screen time can have adverse impacts on brains, so it’s important to mix it up during a time like this. It’s likely that your student will want to continue to use a screen of some sort during their breaks from doing work, so it’s important to limit screen time by mixing in old school mediums as well.

7. Keep in touch with other parents

Social distancing is important during this time, but staying in touch with others via virtual communication is very important. Each parent that has a child home is going to be going through a new experience. Check in with other parents to see what they’ve found effective, and ask if they need help as well.

8. Don’t underestimate the power of a schedule

To start, experts recommend keeping students on the same or similar sleeping schedule that they have when they are going into school. Having a clear vision of what is expected of your student will help them see that just because they are home does not mean they don’t have work to do. Experts recommend helping them prioritize and learn to create goals, tasks, and deadlines.

9. Remember to schedule time for fun

While this is most certainly not a vacation, it’s important to have some fun with your student while they are at home. It’s rare that you have this much time with your children, so use it as an opportunity to bond. Experts at Children and Screens recommend organizing a tournament, family card games, charades, or chess, or getting outside for a hike or walk together.