Teaching organization skills to your third grader can be one of the most challenging yet one of the most important skills that you can teach, one that will carry over into their adult life.
How do you get started?
- Buy a backpack and at least one or two pocket folders.
- Label the folders or the pockets of the folders with “PAPERS TO TAKE HOME” and “PAPERS TO TAKE TO SCHOOL”.
- Make sure your child puts papers into the correct pocket and remind him to do the same at school.
- If your child has homework papers to take to school or a note to the teacher, have your child put it in the folder and then put the folder into his backpack.
- Keep the backpack in the exact same place everyday. This way he/she will always know where it is. If the pocket folder is taken out of the backpack, remind your child to put it back into the backpack.
- NEVER do this for your child. A third grader is old enough to do this on his own. If he forgets and leaves the folder at home because he did not put it into his backpack but left it on the kitchen counter, then he can take the consequences at school for forgetting. He/she will remember the next time.
- When your child remembers to have everything in the right place, a word of praise will go along way in ensuring that he/she remembers again.
- Some children will earn this quickly and for some it will take a good chunk of the school year. It is worth it and your child will reap the benefits of learning to be organized all through his/her school years!
- One last thing. Every once in a while have your child do a thorough cleaning of the inside of the backpack. You will be surprised at what he/she has been hauling around to and from school for many weeks! (half eaten cupcakes, broken pencils and crayons, small toys, coins, old papers)
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I appreicate this article. I am a third grade teacher, and I try to teach organizational skills to my third graders every year. However, some parents expect me to write their homework down for them, and pack up their bookbag. I tell them no way will I do this, they are old enough to do it themselves.
I am glad that it was helpful. Teaching organization skills is one that the fourth grade teacher will really appreciate next year and the parents will also once they see the results spilling over at home. Thanks for the comment and hope you have a great school year. If you have any ideas for me for future blog posts, I would love to hear them.
I teach 3rd grade incluson. One of the biggest problems I am having this year is motiviation. I cannot get my sped students motivated to do anything. They sit at their desks, do not try, and wait for someone to “help” them. It’s so frustrating. Any ideas?