| Going back to school can be a stressful time for kids, | | | | events. |
| and parents! Planning ahead reduces the amount of | | | | * At the end of the school year, pick a few cherished |
| chaos and helps make a smooth transition from | | | | papers to save in one manila folder, and recycle the |
| summer vacation to school. Your homework is to | | | | rest. |
| review these four subjects: Paperwork, Filing, | | | | Backpacks - The main purpose of a backpack is to |
| Backpacks, and Lockers. | | | | transport materials between your house and your |
| Storing School Papers - Although some students find | | | | school locker. Here are a few tips: |
| success with accordion files or 5 subject notebooks, I | | | | * Divide your backpack into zones to separate |
| have seen the greatest impact with using a binder | | | | schoolwork, after-school gear, lunch, and personal |
| system: | | | | supplies. |
| * Look for a binder with a zipper enclosure. | | | | * Use the size of each backpack section to determine |
| * Designate and label one folder for each subject. I | | | | what "lives" there. Schoolwork goes in the larger |
| prefer slanted poly-pocket folders. They hold a lot of | | | | section; personal supplies in the smaller areas. |
| paper, and are designed to prevent spillage. | | | | * Prevent the "black hole" phenomena by capturing |
| * Keep loose leaf notebook paper between each | | | | small items in containers, such as a pencil box, a |
| subject folder for note-taking. | | | | makeup bag, and a coin purse. |
| * In front of the subject folders, designate three folders | | | | * Empty out your entire backpack every Friday to help |
| as "Homework to do", "Homework to turn in", and | | | | maintain proper organization. |
| "Parents" to prevent forgotten assignments, missing | | | | Lockers - Lockers exist to prevent carrying your entire |
| homework, and lost permission slips! | | | | school life around with you all day. Keep these tips in |
| Filing at Home - The key to knowing when to remove | | | | mind: |
| paperwork from your binder is to think in terms of | | | | * Separate your locker into zones for school materials, |
| "Two's Company, Three's a Crowd". Always keep the | | | | after-school gear, lunch, personal supplies, and fun |
| current topic for each subject in your binder, as well as | | | | items. |
| the most recent topic. Once you start a new topic, the | | | | * To maximize space, add an extra shelf and |
| oldest topic moves to your file box as home. Here's | | | | magnetic hooks to hang items from the door. |
| how to file: | | | | * Visit your locker during lunch time to switch between |
| * Purchase a portable file box that is small enough to | | | | stashing your afternoon and your morning school |
| keep on or next to your desk. | | | | supplies, reducing how much you need to carry during |
| * Designate one hanging file folder per school subject, | | | | the day. |
| and label them in generic terms (math instead of | | | | * Every Friday, clean out your locker and bring all |
| algebra) to prevent relabeling each school year. | | | | paperwork, clothing, and leftover food home. |
| * Add a file folder for each extracurricular activity (Girl | | | | This concludes our study guide for today - class |
| Scouts, soccer, band, etc.) to keep related paperwork, | | | | dismissed! |
| such as practice schedules and notices of upcoming | | | | © Organizing Magic, LLC - 2010. All Rights Reserved. |