Back to School Organization

I am joining Snazzy in Second and Notes from the Portable in their Back to School Link Up about getting organized and set up for the school year.

I  feel silly trying to give any advice on organization when this is only my second year with a classroom of my own. However, I really have put a lot of effort into my room this summer with organization in mind.

Here is my basic advice in just two tips:

1. Do what works for you!
• I have seen a lot of GREAT set ups that would not work for me because of my students...or my style. Don't try to do what someone else does if you know it won't jive with you once the school year starts.
2. Have some fun
• My parents were both teachers, but when I was little any school supply I wanted I (usually) got. Their theory? If the Lisa Frank pens made me a little excited about school it was worth it? Make your classroom a place that you feel happy, and it will show in your work.

My classroom isn't done yet, but I have totally planned with organization in mind! This is focusing on the teacher section since it is the part where most of my organization happens.

First off, I don't really have a theme in my class. Our school colors are blue and gold, and I found this black and white paper I really liked... so that's as "themey" as I get. What I do have is a whole lot of practical.

You can actually scroll over the first two pictures pictures seen here to get more specific information, but here's the gist. I am ALL about color coding and storage spaces. If there's an open space, I can use it to store something. This is why I am really proud of the fact my bulletin board is NOT full right now. I've learned this gets added to with time, so I am making space for future discoveries. I also have it set up with lots of clippies so when I want to put something up that I can take down and consult I can clip it inside of pinning it.

Backing up a but you can see I have quote a lot of storage space this year in cabinets and behind the whiteboards. I try to keep most of the "teacher stuff" (coffee, lesson plans, tissues etc.) near my desk and the "student stuff" (dictionaries, textbooks, library books, etc) closer to the door.  I also use a lot of mini bins to divide and organize all the little things I have.

I am a big fan of color coding since I teach five different classes students know that they have a color and that's how I keep their materials straight. I even keep class calendars in the back color coded so students know what's happening when.

My "hidden organization" comes behind the podium. I store the day's progressions of handouts or realia in order. If I can't make it then the sub just needs to find the podium to be able to follow the plan.

There we go! It may not seem like much but it is "home." I hope that this coming year the organization I took the time to set up over the summer will be worth it!

Games That Teach Organizational Skills For Adolescents

I am a huge fan of The Sims, but otherwise I never really got into videogames. Nonetheless, when Brandy kindly agreed to allow me this guest post I was excited. There is so much research about how people learn better when we are playing! So, what games can help students learn organizational skills?
 
Teenage kids love to play video games. They can be fun and entertaining. It keeps them occupied for hours at a time. While it may seem that videogames are just for entertainment purposes, some also teach very valuable life skills to your children 13 years old and above. 
There are many role playing games that encourage a teenage kid to strategize and organize the layout of their armies. They show how to organize the soldiers to be in the best fighting positions, and how to defeat their enemies. Games like World of Warcraft, Fable, Halo Wars, Call of Duty, or the Oblivion series encourage these types of play. And then there are also puzzle games like Big Brain Academy and Tetris if RPG is not something a player would like to try.

World of Warcraft

World of Warcraft is a science fiction fantasy video game that encourages creativity in each section of the game. There are several ways to play this game. Each realm contains different quests and advances in the game. There are many professions that you can choose from to gain skills in the game. These professions include miner, blacksmith, and tailor to name a few. Other skills include cooking, fishing, first aid and archeology. When learning these skills, you have to organize certain things to complete a task. Many missions are included in this game. If completed, the player is rewarded with money to use in the game or other forms of rewards.

Fable

Fable is a role playing game that is full of action and adventure. The story puts a focus on the player’s struggle as they help to overturn the kingdom of Albion. There are many trials and challenges along the way to the ultimate battle at the end of the game. There are many games to play that help increase knowledge, strength, and dexterity. These games teach patterns and organizational skills that move at either a slow or quick pace depending on the level of expertise the job has to offer. This helps to gain guild seals and friendships throughout the country. By gaining friendships, you also gain followers that help to defeat your brotherhood's army at the end of the game.

Halo Wars

Halo Wars is a strategy game that operates in real time experience. This game gives players the chance to command armies against your enemies using skill, resources, and organization. You can choose to be on the human side or the alien side. Each player is able to train and gain special abilities that help them gain advancement through the ranks until they get to the top.

Big Brain Academy

Big Brain Academy teaches teenagers not only organizational skills but also helps them to gain other cognitive thinking skills. There are five different sections that help to test and gain brain experience. They include thinking, analyzing, computing, identifying, and memorizing. These games help open the brain waves and train it to become more efficient and quicker to process much needed information. Players can play by themselves or with other players. Not only does it teach different skills, it is a lot of fun to play as well.

Tetris

Tetris is the ultimate organizational game that has been around since 1984. In order to advance in Tetris, you need to make sure that the Tetriminos or blocks fit together and don’t stack to the top. Each level that clears brings on a new level that makes the blocks fall faster. This makes your brain think quicker and helps you to place the blocks on a more strategic location.
As you can see, there are many different video games, with gaming sites to provide game information such as this, that can help adolescents learn to be organized. They can have fun with learning. Share these with your kids today and help them learn how to be a more organized individual.


Brandy Lindsey is a freelance writer, homeschool teacher and photographer. She enjoys blogging, knitting, and writing in her spare time. She lives in Northern Maine with her husband and three children.