Special education teacher, Michelle Cherry, shared tips with us for how to stay organized. See some of her tips for staying organized.
Helpful Schedules/ Calendars
Family Calendar
- Posted in a central location
- Activities of all family members posted
Master Schedule
- A schedule of a typical week excluding any thing that does not occur on a routine basis
- See example at the bottom of the page
Monthly Schedule
- Should be easily accessible
- List any activities, conferences, appointments, parties etc.
- Also serves as a quick reference
Weekly Schedule
- Should be done with reference to the master and monthly schedule
Daily To Do List
- Errands to be run, phone calls to be made etc.
Master Notebook System
Working Notebook Three Ring Binder (Daily Notebook)
- Portable three-hole punch
- Zippered pouch
- Monthly calendar
- Four section dividers for each subject
- Homework
- Notes
- Handouts
- Quizzes/tests
- Date given
- Date due
- Materials
- Completed
- Checked
Reserve Accordion File (Weekly File)
- Homework, notes and other papers no longer needed
- Summary of material
- Packets for review
Reference Notebook
- Section at the back of working notebook
- Personal spelling list
- Transition words and phrases
- Math facts
- Charts or graphs
HOMEWORK: When, Where, How to study
Routine
- Include the child
- Same time - same place
Space
Study Breaks
- Free of distractions (TV, people etc)
- Soft music may calm the child
Study Breaks
- No more than 15 minutes on one subject
- Take a break every 30 minutes
Comfortable
- Well structured chair
- Good lighting
- Uncluttered work space
Long Term Assignments
- Split into small segments
- Decide when each segment should be complete
- Enter on monthly calendar
STUDY TIPS
- Review within 24 hours - especially content areas
- Review daily
- Write summaries - especially for content areas
- Use humor
- Use color
- Acronyms (Roy G. Biv) (Please excuse my dear aunt Sally)
- Visual aids (drawings, posters, charts, graphs etc.)
- Review aloud
USE HIGHLIGHTERS
- Use highlighters for texts, handouts, and notes
- Highlight main ideas and key words. Very little should be highlighted, just enough to trigger ideas.
- Highlight texts only after you have read. Highlighting while reading distracts from the content and too much gets highlighted.
- Use one color for one subject and a different color for another subject.
CONCEPT MAPS
Concept maps are an alternative to making an outline to study information. The brain remembers ideas as thoughts and relationships, not linear steps or terms. Concept maps also help students create an image that is more easily recalled than outlined text.
How to Create a Concept Map for a Textbook Chapter or Information for a Test
- Write the title in the center. Circle it.
- Write headings related to it in circles connected to the center
- Write important ideas related to each heading in circles attached to the specific heading.
- Use one word or short phrases
How to Create a Concept Map for Writing
- Write the most important word or short phrase or symbol for the center. Circle it
- Write other important concepts related to the first concept in circles connected to the center.
- Continue working outward connecting ideas around topics or headings
Concept Card Examples:
Note card side 1 = Name/Term/Idea/Vocab Word
Note card side 2 = 3-5 brief concepts about the term or idea (E.g., 1 What; 2 How; 3 Why). Note, be sure they write in your own words and keep it brief.
Additional Directions:
- Purchase several packs of small to medium sized note cards. (With larger ones, you'll be temped to write too much and won't be able to review them effectively).
- Write the name, term concept or vocabulary word on the front side of the card.
- On the back side write three to five concepts about the term on the front using your own words. Answering what, how, and why is a good way to keep the card brief and meaningful.
- What?
□ Define the term in your own words
- How?
□ Think of an example
- Why?
□ Why is this important to the big picture?
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- Review on your own. Trade and quiz classmates during group study sessions.
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Concept cards, then, help us to prepare for tests at the higher levels of thinking!
(Source: University of Northern Iowa, Dr. Karen Agee)
MASTER SCHEDULE Example:
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Date |
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Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
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6 AM |
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7 AM |
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8 AM |
School |
School |
School |
School |
School |
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9 AM |
School |
School |
School |
School |
School |
Soccer |
Church |
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10 AM |
School |
School |
School |
School |
School |
Soccer |
Church |
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11 AM |
School |
School |
School |
School |
School |
Church |
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12 PM |
School |
School |
School |
School |
School |
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1 PM |
School |
School |
School |
School |
School |
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2 PM |
School |
School |
School |
School |
School |
Homework |
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3 PM |
Homework |
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4 PM |
Homework |
Homework |
Homework |
Homework |
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5 PM |
Karate |
Karate |
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6 PM |
Soccer |
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7 PM |
Homework |
Homework |
Homework |
Homework |
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8 PM |
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9 PM |
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10 PM |
Bed |
Bed |
Bed |
Bed |
Bed |