Organizational
Tools
What is organization?
(for Students)
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Organization is the process of developing a plan or a system for keeping track of the materials,
space and assigned tasks important for learning.
Why is it important to be organized?
Being organized helps students to be prepared for class, complete work on time, and keep pace with
classroom learning.
Common Q/A on Organization:
1.
What do I need to organize?
As a student, it is important to organize your
desk or home work space, your notebooks or
folders, your book bag and your locker.
My Desk
Organizing Your Desk or Work Space: An
organized desk/work area is both neat and
functional. Items are not lost and can be easily
located. Papers are stored in folders or sections
of a notebook. Books are stacked with the titles
easily read. Pencils, glue, pens and other small
items are stored in a container.
My Notebook
Organizing Your Notebooks or Folders:
Notebooks or folders should contain sections or
subject area dividers for each class. These may
be further divided into areas for class notes,
assignments and tests or quizzes. Loose papers
(from various classes) need to be placed in the
appropriate course section in chronological order.
Additional paper for assignment completion or in
class work is available in each section of the
notebook. The notebook/folders contain subject
area labels, a class schedule, a calendar to track
due dates and special projects, and a device to
store pencils or other items necessary for class.
2.
My Book Bag
Organizing Your Book Bag: It is very easy to
overload a book bag causing it to be too heavy to
carry with ease. With that in mind, work to carry
only the essentials back and forth on a regular
basis. Designate certain zippered pockets for
specific items. Small items (pencils, pens,
highlighters, math tools) should be located for
easy access. Notebooks and textbooks are
stacked according to size and loose papers are in
folders or notebook sections. Book bags are
regularly reviewed for contents that can be
discarded.
My Locker
Organizing Your Locker: Books should be placed in
the lockers either standing up-right or laying
down with their titles easily visible. If possible
place those books needed for morning classes in
one part (side, top, bottom) of the locker and
books needed for afternoon classes in another
part (side, top, bottom). Shelves or storage
devices specifically designed for lockers may be
helpful. Containers (bins, zippered cases) to store
loose items such as pens, pencils, calculators,
rulers, etc. will add to the organization and ease
of access of a locker.
How do I organize my assignments?
3. What do I do if I keep losing my
assignments?
Especially at first, it is important to use a planner
or some type of assignment book to record your
work and its completion dates. Be sure to include
any special notes or comments about materials
that will be needed to complete the assignment
(worksheets, textbooks, website references,
etc). As work is completed, put a check mark or
other designation to show the work is done. Put
completed assignments in your notebook or folder
in the section designated for that class. Check
your planner frequently during the day/week to
make sure you are not forgetting any work.
Lost assignments are often a result of not
labeling the work correctly and/or not placing the
work in the appropriate folder or section of the
notebook. As you begin each assignment, put a
heading on the paper (according to the teacher’s
directions) to indicate the class and the specific
problems or assignment. As you complete the
assignment or temporarily finished working on it,
place the work in its appropriate course section
or folder. Remember to regularly (once a week)
review your notebook or folder to eliminate old
papers or assignments.
4. How should I organize my study
space?
A good study space should include a hard flat
surface (desk, table) large enough to include
books, paper and other study materials (pens,
calculator, dictionary), adequate lighting and a
shelf or other storage area. The study space
should be consistent and not constantly changing
and should be relatively free from distractions.
Organize the space chosen for consistency,
placing study materials in the same location from
one time to the next. That eliminates time lost
while looking for things.
5. How do graphic organizers support
organization and learning?
For the visual learner in particular, graphic
organizers are often a helpful study tool. Graphic
organizers allow students to record important
information using a combination of words,
phrases, pictures, and connecting symbols. There
are many types of graphic organizers:
http://www.teachnology.com/worksheets/graphic/ to support
different tasks and projects. The structure of
the graphic organizer causes important ideas to
become readily apparent and more easily
remembered.
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