Organization Ideas for Students and Teachers

As students settle into school routines, their attitudes and preparations become lax. The "we can do it" attitude wears off, just as the sparkle on new folders does. Students are not alone in relaxing about school procedures; teachers begin tiring as well. The school year is long, but focusing on optimizing learning will lead to a successful school year. Preparation is a must, as is organization. Teachers should organize instruction, just as students (and perhaps parents) should organize independent studying and learning. Teachers and students alike must be organized.

America's Department of Education published a practice guide highlighting seven ways for teachers to organize instruction to improve learning. All of them, from spacing learning over time to helping students allocate study time efficiently, focus on planning ahead. Lesson plans (mundane, but necessary) are the most obvious tools for future planning. Thinking to other options may help as well. Departments could make an outline of goals per week for the school year. Mentors could meet with new teachers to suggest methods of keeping on track. Educators should utilize the end of the school year for revamping plans for upcoming years. Lastly, teachers should use proven tools. The practice guide's recommendations supported by the strongest level of evidence are for teachers to use quizzes to re-expose students to key content and to ask deep explanatory questions. Preparation for both of these recommendations is extensive and again, educators should work together to stay organized.

Of course, if students do not keep quizzes or lose their explanatory answers, they cannot study that key content later. This leads to the second part of the organizational struggle, students. Teachers have all seen students shove papers into books and desks, come to class without a writing utensil and spend precious class minutes searching for an assignment. To prevent such scenarios, all students need their parents to model organizational patterns. Younger students especially need guidance when studying or completing homework. Hopefully students in upper grades have established patterns that work for them. No matter the age, teachers can mention simple organizational tools to students and parents. A few ideas for students of all grades, with or without parental help:

• Make lists of assignments or tasks. Check them off as you finish.


• Keep an organized binder and sort it as your teacher returns work. Use quizzes and other projects while reviewing for tests.


• Write down events and due dates on a calendar.


• Take notes. Date and keep them.

As the school year continues, both students and teachers will become disorganized and suffer consequences. Any role in the educational system will be tiring; disorganization will only contribute to exhaustion. Maintaining organization is often a struggle, but with consistency and practice, organized teachers and students will lead to better learning.

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