This is a
guidance lesson that is designed for use with middle school students in special
education classes. Students who have difficulty focusing or with organization
will especially benefit from this lesson. Students must be able to read at a
second grade level to understand what is taught without modification. This lesson
will take anywhere from 25-45 minutes, depending on class size and whether or
not all suggested activities are included. While the intent of this lesson is
to support students in a special education setting, this information can be
valuable to general education students as well.
Introduction
With six
classes each day, multiple homework assignments each night, countless
activities and busy social lives, being a middle school student can be
overwhelming and stressful. Disabilities that impair motor skills, processing
skills or make it difficult to focus can make this even more challenging.
Acquiring the skills to be organized and manage time well can lead to feelings
of self-efficacy and improved grades in students. Proper organization skills
can help students to not only keep track of assignments, but also to come to
class prepared. Following this lesson, students may realize that making an
effort to be organized, planning ahead and studying regularly can help their
lives to go smoothly.
Guidance Activity
For This Lesson, You Will Need:
- “My Schedule,” “My Studying Tips,” and “My Locker Design” Handouts (available for download here)
- Writing utensils
- An organized binder complete with:
- Dividers
- Notebook paper
- Pencil pouch
- Writing utensils (pens, pencils, highlighters)
Opening Discussion
Suggested dialogue: Imagine
two students. One student, Billy, woke up when his alarm went off, ate a
healthy breakfast and arrived to school on time. He comes with all of the
school supplies he needs and drops off what he doesn’t need for his first class
at his locker. He has extra time, so he checks his planner for assignments that
are due today. He puts them in the front of his binder so that they are easy to
retrieve. He arrives to class feeling relaxed and set for a great day. Another
student, Jack, wakes up ten minutes
before class starts. Yikes! He picks up some dirty clothes off his bedroom
floor, throws them on and races to class. Incidentally, he is late. Then he
realizes he never ate breakfast and forgot his planner at home. When he gets to
class, he looks in his binder for his homework and can’t find it in the mess of
papers. He gives a frustrated sigh and asks his teacher if he can look in his
locker.
Discussion Prompts:
- Who do you think had a better morning?
- What can you do to be like the first student?
- How is life different when you are organized?
- How are you like Billy\? How are you like Jack sometimes?
"My Schedule" Activity
*This activity coincides with the "My Study Tips" handout.
Ways I Can Make My Morning Go
Smoothly: Suggested
discussion: Now, look at your “My Study Skills” handout (Display on a doc cam if possible). Did you know that being organized starts with
getting ready in the morning? Let’s talk about how to start our days off on the
right foot. What are some ways that we can make mornings less stressful? (Answers may include eating a healthy breakfast,
setting out outfits the night before, giving yourself plenty of time to get
ready, getting backpack ready, etc.) Write down five suggestions for
yourself.
Using My Planner: Suggested discussion: In middle school, there is a lot to
remember. A good way to remind yourself of what you have to do each day is to
use a planner. Raise your hand if you use a planner. How do you use it? What
are some tips for using your planner that you would tell a new student? Write
down 3 tips for using your planner. A planner only works if it is used. When is
a good time to write down assignments in your planner? (Possible answers include after my work is done, after school or after
homework is assigned. Prompt students to write down answers).
My Study Habits: Suggested discussion: Let’s talk about good study habits.
When do you feel most alert and focused? Is it in the morning when you just
wake up? Is it right after school? Are you a night owl? (Students discuss and write down answers). Where do you like to go
to study? (Allow for student answers).
Write down three of your favorite places to study.
My Organized Binder: Suggested discussion: Here’s an
example of an organized binder. (Demonstrate
using a sample binder). I am going to pass this around so you get ideas for
what you want your own binder to look like.
What
do you notice? Do you see how easy it would be for this person to find what
they need? When is it a good idea to
save an assignment? Recycle? Save for later?
(Prompt students to write their own answers down).
My Supplies: Suggested discussion: I want to
make sure you have the school supplies that you need. Sometimes we lose our
supplies or they fall apart. Put a check mark next to each item on the “My
Supplies” checklist. (Read off each item
individually and prompt students to check off what they have). If you do
not have supplies, please see me afterwards (Discuss options for getting supplies with students after class). Now,
you are going to place this handout in the front of your binder for
safekeeping.
Optional Activity: “My Organized
Locker”
If time
allows, students can design how they would like their lockers to be organized
using the “My Organized Locker” handout.
Discussion
Prompts:
- How often should I clean out my locker?
- Where should I put items that I need for classes a lot?
- What kind of items should I keep in my locker for emergencies?
Suggested discussion:
As you can tell, being organized can make it a lot easier to be successful as a
student. What did you learn today? What changes are you going to make to your
study habits? In what ways are you planning to be more organized in the future?
Helpful Hints
- Ensure school supplies are on hand for students that cannot afford school supplies or have supplies that are falling apart.
- Provide resources to students that need extra help or a quiet place to study (ex. after school homework help, organization club, tutoring programs, etc.)
- Give instructions one at a time to help students to fully process and focus.
- Encourage students to answer both verbally and in writing.
- Use developmentally appropriate language.
- Give extra time to students that take longer with tasks than others.
- Make handouts double-sided and in a bright color so they are easy to find. Hole punch handouts so that students can store them in their binder.
- Choose a transitional period such as at the beginning of a new semester to teach this lesson.
Image Sources
http://www.iamincontrol.org/seven-stress-relief-tips/
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