The SMS Parents' Guideto Organization and Study SkillsHELPING YOUR STUDENTS DISCOVER

EFFECTIVE ORGANIZATION & STUDYING

Presented by:

Ms. Ellie

Sroczynski

The Mom Song“Sound familiar?”

Is this typical?0 Concrete Thinking0 Skill Deficits0 Search for Identity/ Exploration0 Questioning of Authority0 Poor Decision-making0 Forgetting/ Spaciness

Sanity at an Insane TimeBalancing Guidance & Independence

0 Provide concrete reasons0 Provide choices (that you mean)0 Model0 Give time to collect thoughts0 Use Action Talk and/ or Closed Questions0 Practice0 Include student input0 Non-judgments and Validations

0 Contracting0 Goals (usually desired by parent)0 Actions (specific, realistic, matches

reinforcement)0 Compromise0 “If...then” or “When...then” statements0 Reinforcement0 Tangible0 Intangible0 Good “match” with goal

0 Can be short-term or long-term

General Techniques0 VAK (Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic)0 Direct Instruction0 Categorizing0 Ease of Use0 Chunking0 Break tasks into smaller parts

0 Action Planning0 Long-term version of “If...then”0 Student Goal-oriented

VAKVisual

0 Color coding0 Lists0 Reminders0 Pictures0 Note cards0 Consistent formats

Auditory0 Reading/ saying out loud0 Voice mail 0 Alarms/ Timers0 Code words and phrases0 Music0 Other people/ peers0 NOT what you’ve told them “a

million times”

Kinesthetic0 Practice0 Consistent locations0 Student-written0 Active0 Strategy, Categorizing, and Memory

Games0 Simon0 Memory0 Perfection0 Spot It0 Mastermind0 Dominoes0 Uno0 Scattegories

Creating an Action Plan0 SMART Goals0Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely0Solution-focused0Prioritize needs and wants0Student input

0 Consider the “now”0 Action-oriented steps0 Reinforcement0 Be Consistent0 Monitor0 Revise if necessary

The Power of FocusActivity

Organizing MaterialsSupplies at Home

0Loose-leaf paper0Box of pencils0Box of pens0Sticky notes0Regular size stapler0Box of staples0Three-hole punch0One file crate0Box of hanging file folders0Desktop or Wall calendar0 Index cards

0Pencil sharpener0Supply list

Supplies at School0Teacher lists0Small box for locker0Magazine/ File Box0Locker/ Agenda List0Heavy-duty Binder0Accordion Folder0Sticky notes

Organizing SpaceStudy/ Homework Area0Adequate lighting0Large, hard, flat surface0Limited distractions0Supplies nearby, if possible

(or in movable box)0Milk crate filing system0Place for garbage/ recycling0Avoid allowing study/ school

reading in bed

Locker0Magazine/ File Boxes for

standing materials up and sorting

0Magnet Clips (heavy duty)0Pencil Box for extra

supplies0Magnetic pencil container

Organizing Time0 Schedule of Classes and Times on Binder/ Folder0 Alarms/ Reminders0 Family Calendar/ Student Calendar/ Agenda Book0 Scheduling0Homework time0Clean-outs0Check-ins0Study time/ Project work (whether assigned or not)

0 Balance Activities, School Work, & Unstructured Time

0 Creating a Routine0Consistent settings0Consistent consequences

Tips for Developing Study Skills0 Mind Map

0 Strengths, weaknesses, challenges, interests, and dreams0 Ask before suggesting ideas0 Make project with where student is now & where they want to go0 Revisit at the end of each quarter, revise and add accomplishments

0 VAK0 List, Prioritize, and Check-off0 Scheduled Study Times0Student “best” times0 20-minute periods or less0Breaks

0 Enrichment Activities

Preparing for Tests0 Learn each teacher’s system for tests0 Encourage “active” studying0 STAR Method0Survey for items to answer quickly0Take time to read directions carefully0Answer questions that can be answered easily0Reread questions and answers and make corrections

0 Encourage moving on if stuck0 Ensure student is rested and fed0 Encourage student to review corrected test0 Teach anxiety-reducing methods, if necessary

Other Resources0 Peer Tutoring0 Homework Club03:10 – 4 pm0Limited capacity0Sign-in sheets

0 Extra Help0 Student-initiated0 After or Before school0 Depends on teacher0 Need pass in morning

0 Create a plan0 Add to agenda

Other Resources, cont.0 Teacher Contact0 May be with student first0 Student-initiated0 Consider early drop-off or late pick-up0 4-point plan

0 Parent-initiated0 After first 2-3 weeks0 Focus on the positive0 Connect in person & keep it brief0 Maintain contact

0 When to get involved/ not to get involved

Conferences0Prepare agenda0Take your agenda, extra paper, and a pen0Be early0 Introduce self by name and relationship0Share something you or your student has liked0Share concerns or questions0 If issues, focus on solutions for at school and at home0Highlight strengths and previous successful strategies0Consider including your student if there is a student-teacher

conflict0 Contact teacher prior to conference about bringing your student0 Have your student write a letter about their concerns and possible

solutions

Other Resources, cont.0 Middle School Website – www.somervillenjk12.org0 School Calendar and Upcoming Events0 Guidance & Counseling Services0 Staff Directory & Teacher Websites0 Handbook0 Newsletters0 Conference Forms0 Links

Parent PortalCommunity ResourcesHoneywell Alert System

Other Resources, cont.0 Middle Earth Community Youth Center

0 United Methodist Church at 48 West High Street0 Open Mon. – Thurs. from 3 – 8 p.m. for ages 11 and up

0 Tutoring0When?0 Extended absence0 Repeated declines in performance0 School recommendation0 Inconsistent schedule0 Student negative remarks

0Who?0 Teaching experience0 Subject-specific expertise0 Reliability and consistency

0 Parent Portal

Using the Parent Portal0 Letter from SMS

0 Username0 4-digit Password

Email

List of Assignments

List of Assignments & Grades

Email Notifications