Executive Functioning Skills are an area that I address on a daily basis with my students. I check their bookbags, planners, and binders regularly to be sure they are keeping organized. We discuss time management, prioritizing and task initiation. These are challenging skills for so many of them–from my elementary students all the way to my high schoolers!
Now that we have been thrown into this new reality of distance learning, I can only imagine how much they must be struggling at home! I know that I am personally being challenged by this new way of conducting therapy amidst the distractions of my own home environment. I know how to adapt and modify so that I can still maintain a level of focus. For our students, this level of persistence may not exist. I can only imagine the push/pull situations playing out in many homes between parent and child as they navigate this new way of living, working, and schooling. I figured that maybe hearing some tips and suggestions from a third-party (another voice of reason) will ease the stress that my families might be experiencing with keeping on track and organized while distance learning continues.
I have come up with a checklist and a super simple project and I’m calling it a “Distance Learning Shoebox Organizer.” I made this blog post into a printable pdf checklist in my TpT store so that you can easily share it with parents, teachers and other SLPs that might find it helpful!
This low-tech tool can be used as the “control center” for your student’s distance learning schedule/routine, as well as a place to organize materials like pencils, highlighters, markers, and worksheets/notebooks/packets.
If you have an old, sturdy shoebox with a lid in your closet, then you can use it to make your own organizer! Use a BIG shoebox, like the one you would have stored boots or your high top sneakers in. You will also need a piece of paper to write out your routine/schedule, colored markers or crayons and a rubber band to hold your shoebox together. For fun, you can decorate the sides and back of your shoebox with stickers, drawings, etc. Make it your own!!
So here are some organizational strategies to accompany the shoebox project:
1-Keep all of your materials together in one place. Store all your supplies (pencils, crayons, markers, ruler, highlighters, etc. ) in the shoebox, (like the one in the picture) so at the end of the day everything is back in the same place and nothing gets lost.
2-Stick to a regular routine, when possible. Write out a “master routine” that you will maintain during the week and COLOR CODE different activities. (See shoebox picture) . For example, write out all “breaks” in one color, different subject areas in different colors. Stand up the shoe box with your schedule taped to the lid and keep it on a table or desk you are using to do your work during the day. Also, put a rubber band around the box when you stand it up so that none of the materials you are storing inside fall out.
3-Use a timer to help you keep track of how much time is being spent on each activity in your daily schedule! Set a timer on your phone, on your stove at home, or use an old fashion kitchen timer if you have one.
4- Write down the assignments each day on a piece of paper or in your school planner to keep organized. Cross off the assignments as they get done. Don’t just rely on seeing them in an email. Physically writing a list will help you process the information and visually organize it!
5-Keep your subjects sorted out — Keep the papers you are accumulating separate from each other. Use paper clips to keep subjects separated or separate folders. DATE all of your work. Keep all of your work in your shoebox so that you know where everything is and then nothing will get lost!
6-Reach out/email your teachers with issues you are having with assignments. They are here for you and more than happy to give you help/suggestions! Plus, this is a great way to practice self-advocacy skills (speaking up for yourself when you need help is a life skill!)
Good luck and I hope this system helps you stay better organized during this time of distance learning from home.
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