Organizational Skills
for Students
Marcia Laus
marciala@thewatsoninstitute.org
Why Are Kids
Disorganized?
Frontal Cortex & Executive
Function
Provides executive control – all purposeful
actions
A neuropsychological process in the pre
frontal cortex
This process underlies
purposeful behaviors such as:
• Planning & organizing
• Attention & concentration
• Flexibility to try new problem solving
strategies
• Abstract & complex thinking
• Decision making
And More:
• Self-monitoring for accuracy
• Progress towards a goal
• Emotional responses
• Judgment & reasoning
• Inhibit incorrect/inappropriate
responses
Why is Organization Difficult for
Adolescents
Changing classes – no “home base”
More teachers with different
teaching styles
Expectations for independence and
self-regulation higher
The “Adolescent Brain”
The Adolescent Brain
Just prior to puberty – a lot of grey matter is
created, neurons develop, myelin is formed –
transmission of electrical impulses speed up
This takes place in the frontal cortex of the
brain – essential for such functions as
response inhibition, emotional regulation,
analyzing problems and planning –
Executive Functions
Executive functions continue to develop
through young adulthood (earlier in girls than
in boys)
Synaptic pruning – “use it or lose it” –
eliminates weaker synapses – strengthens
stronger connections
Teaching Organization
Labeling
Model organization
Options – involve student in planning
organization
Frequent checks (binder, planner,)
Routines
• Where to do homework
• When to do homework
• Get ready the night before
P.A.C.K.
Purge
Accessorize
Categorize
Keep It Up
The Organized Student by
Donna Goldberg
Key Organizational Skills
Organization at School
Time Management
Organization at Home
The Organized Student by
Donna Goldberg
Organizing Tools
3 ring binder or accordion file
Desk organization
Locker organization
Planner
Desktop filing system
The Organized Student by
Donna Goldberg
The Binder(s)
Tools (dividers, pencil pouch, 3 hole
punch, pockets)
Color coding
Schedule
How many? AM/PM; one for each
class; one for entire day?
Tools for Binder
Organization
Locker Organization
Zones:
• Books
• Supplies
• Personal Belongings
Locker Organization
System:
• All books start on top shelf in AM
• When putting books in after class they
either go:
 on bottom shelf OR
 In backpack (homework)
Locker
Organization
Locker Organization
Include
• Schedule
• Color coding
• Organizing tools
Locker
Organization
www.organizeeverything.com
www.amazon.com
www.lockerdog.com
Tools for
Locker
Organization
Other Locker Organizational
Tools
www.boarddudesdirect.com
Desk
Organization
Other Desk Organization Ideas
Chair “sacks”
Loose paper folder or envelope
Boxes or office trays for books
Mailboxes (gets loose papers out of
desk)
Accordion file folders
Other????
Locker and/or Desk
Organization
Periodic Checks:
• Checklist
• Motivators
• Assistance with “decluttering”
Locker 
 No loose papers
 Books on shelf or in backpack
 Coat and backpack on hook
 All small items in containers
 ________________________________
Assignment Planner
Teacher check or
Peer check
• after giving assignment – have each student
explain it to a peer
• Peers check each others planner
Parent check at home
Routine and Time
Teach to abbreviate
Teach to prioritize – parents help at home
with this!!!
Work to do checklist
Long Term Assignment Planning
Work To Do:
___________________________
___________________________ 
___________________________ 
___________________________ 
___________________________ 
___________________________ 
Work To
Do
Checklist
Long Term Project
Assignment: ___________________________
_______________________________________
Steps to complete:
Monday
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Tuesday
Date assigned:
by when:
Wednesday
Date due:

when
complete
Thursday
Friday
Notes:
Saturday
Sunday
What Can Parents Do?
Begin slowly. Focus on one problem at a time
Start with “stuff management”
Make sure your child has a proper study space
Help your child develop a study schedule
Have your child study or read even when she
has no homework
Check the planner, check the backpack and
folders
Teach your child to take (approp) breaks
From: Get Organized Without
Losing It by Janet Fox
Organization at Home
Homework Area
Desktop File Box
“Toolkit”
Calendar (“where is everybody?”)
Habits and Routines!!
Avoid the Morning Rush
Visual supports – schedules, checklists,
post its, etc.
“A place for everything and everything in
its place”
Schedule times for regular “decluttering”
Desktop
Organizer
for
Homework
Desk
How to Study
Mnemonic devices
Repetition
Variety of ways
Movement breaks or movement
while studying
Music? On or Off??
Ongoing – (rather than cramming)
Websites
www.howtostudy.org
www.studygs.net
Schedules
After School Schedule
Tell Me About Today
Mini schedules
Work To Do Checklist
Work Systems
Schedules you can purchase
Tell Me
About
Today
Available at
Target