Habits of Learning: Organization

Everything has a place

I can’t believe we are in the third week of Habits of Learning. We have done the two foundational habits (Responsibility and Respect) and now we are starting the “hands-on” habits. The Habit of Learning this week is Organization!

In this week’s lesson, you will do a hands-on organization project, learn the 5 steps to organize anything, learn my nine powerful organizational tips, and set an organizational goal. While you are doing all these amazing things we will get to read stories, play games, draw pictures, and relate to scripture.

Sounds pretty great! If you are enjoying your Habits of Learning journey…

Join our community! After you complete a lesson, snap a picture and post it to Instagram! Use the hashtag #habitsoflearning and tag @aoneroomshoolhouse. Follow the Schoolhouse and our hashtag to join other Habits of Learning users!

Preparation

Before you start your first lesson, I would encourage you to complete the progress monitoring grid I talked about in this post. If you have not completed the grid, hop over to that post, print one out for each child, and fill it out. It will only take you five minutes!

Additionally, before doing this lesson series, you should have already completed the lesson sequences on Responsibility and Respect. You can find those posts here and here.

Now you are ready to begin!

• Download the lesson plan (link below), print it if desired.
• Bookmark this blog post that includes live links to use for each lesson containing a video.
• Choose a picture book from the literature list.
• Have organizational supplies on hand for the project (boxes, bins, bags, etc.)
• Print the resource pages.
• Cut out the pieces of the matching game. Color code these pieces if you are doing this lesson with preschoolers.

Remember to Practice

The general instructions for these lessons stay the same from week to week. This week (and from here on out) you will want to encourage your children to do the exploration activities from the previous week’s lesson.

This may be a copy sheet, hymn study, or memorization. Maybe they might like to read a book from the list or watch one of the video links. It does not matter which activity they do, what does matter is that they are still thinking about and learning about the previously studied habit.

Furthermore, make sure you are always looking for ways to praise your children as they progress in the previously studied habits. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO!

This focus on continual practice and praise will help further development and generalization. It reinforces the idea that we are always working to improve ourselves.

Continual practice of a new habit promotes generalization and internalization.

Special Elements

5 Steps to Organize Anything:

1) Dump

Dump out everything in the area you are going to organize.

2) Trash

Pick out any trash or items you would like to donate. Put them in the trash or donation box.

3) Sort

Sort the items. This sort can be by color, size, kind, or use. Think carefully about what will be easiest to keep up with, especially for young children.

4) Contain and Label

Choose a container, shelf, or cupboard for each sorted group. Use labels (words or pictures) to designate the area. (Labels are key!)

5) Put Away

Put away each sorted group into the chosen and labeled area.

9 Tips for Developing Organization Skills in Children

1) Develop a routine, not a schedule. Schedules are great, but once you “get off” you feel defeated. Set up routines without a strict time table.

2)  Use a checklist for everything (morning routine, getting ready for bed, doing school work) If it needs to be done, it needs a checklist.

3)  Prioritize by numbering school assignments (or any other required tasks) in the order they need to be done.

4)  Designate a space (schoolwork space, toy space, reading space, etc.) for important activities and items.

5)  Set aside time (schoolwork time, playtime, reading time, eating time, etc.)

6)  Color code (toy bins, school binders, bookshelves, clothing drawer, etc.) Color coding is the easiest way to sort.

7)  Conduct a weekly clean-up. Set a time, day, and time limit to conduct an organizational blitz.

8)  Keep a master calendar in a place everyone can see and check. Color code by person or activity.

9) Prepare the night before. As part of your evening checklist (see #2), prepare for the next day.

Grow Our Community

Just this week, we have grown by nearly 100 people! For many, that is small potatoes, but here at A One-Room Schoolhouse, that is pretty neat!

Let’s keep the social media ball rolling and share this program with your friends! Take pictures and videos of your Habits of Learning lessons. Post these on Facebook or Instagram. Use the hashtag #habitsoflearning and tag @aoneroomshoolhouse. Follow the Schoolhouse and our hashtag to join other Habits of Learning users!

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