The Wake-Up Call
As the school day wrapped up and students poured out of the classroom, one student approached my desk with a look of frustration. He had been struggling in chemistry class, and today, he came to tutoring for some extra help. I was hopeful as he sat down, ready to dive into his notes and tackle the areas he found confusing.
“Alright, let’s take a look at your notes,” I said, expecting him to quickly pull out his binder and open to the right section. Instead, he started rifling through his backpack. I watched as he pulled out a tangled mass of papers: handouts from math, English assignments, a half-filled worksheet from history class. He paused, looking up with an apologetic smile. “I thought I had it here,” he murmured.
After a few minutes of searching, he managed to find the chemistry notes. However, the paper was crumpled. It looked like it could have been picked out of the recycling bin. As I watched him smooth out the wrinkled pages on the desk, a realization struck me: perhaps chemistry wasn’t the real problem here. His struggle with the subject seemed more like a symptom of a larger issue. His organizational skills needed work. No matter how clearly I explained molecular structures or balanced equations, how could any student truly grasp these concepts when their learning materials were lost in the chaos of crushed papers and forgotten assignments?
It hit me at that moment that teaching Chemistry concepts alone was not enough. If my students did not have the tools to organize, plan, and keep track of their work, they would struggle to understand the material. That day, I made a decision. I needed to start teaching organization skills right alongside my science curriculum.
The Kitchen Analogy
Think of your mind like a kitchen. When you walk into a disorganized kitchen, pots and pans clutter every surface. Ingredients are scattered across counters, and drawers are stuffed with jumbled utensils. Cooking dinner, a simple task, becomes overwhelming. You waste precious time hunting for ingredients. You grow frustrated when you can’t find the right tools. The mess constantly pulls your attention away from the actual cooking techniques you’re trying to master.
Now imagine stepping into a well organized kitchen. Every tool has its designated spot, ingredients are properly stored and easily accessible, and clear counters provide ample workspace. In this environment, you can focus entirely on the joy of cooking. Following recipes becomes smoother and more enjoyable. You find yourself excited to build upon your culinary skills because the basics feel automatic. The organized space supports your success rather than hindering it.
Why Organization Matters
This same principle applies perfectly to learning. When a student’s academic life is disorganized, their brain expends valuable energy on frantic questions: “Where did I put my homework?” “Which folder has my study guide?” “Did I leave that worksheet in my locker?” This constant mental scavenger hunt drains cognitive resources that should be dedicated to learning.
Organization, however, transforms this experience entirely. By creating clear systems and designated spaces for materials, organization dramatically reduces the cognitive burden on students’ minds. When students know exactly where to find their resources, their mental energy flows directly into actual learning, freeing them from the frustrating maze of searching for lost materials.
Perhaps most importantly, organization builds confidence in learners. When materials are well ordered and easily accessible, success feels within reach. Frustration melts away as motivation increases. Students develop a greater sense of control over their learning journey, making them more likely to tackle challenging concepts and persist through difficult subjects.
How to Effectively Teach Organization
To teach organizational skills, most teachers only dedicate one instructional day. They teach students how to organize their binders, create to-do lists, and manage their time. While the goal is admirable, this isolated approach to teaching organizational skills often falls flat. When taught in isolation, these crucial skills often feel disconnected from students’ real needs and experiences. As highlighted in the insightful book Executive Functions for Every Classroom, written by Mitch Weathers1, there’s a better way.
The Power of Daily Practice
The solution? Weave organizational strategies naturally into daily lessons throughout the academic year. The skills become tools for success rather than abstract concepts. In addition, by embedding organizational strategies into everyday learning experiences across the entire school year, students have countless opportunities to refine these essential skills. Just as athletes practice their sport daily and musicians rehearse regularly, students need consistent practice to develop strong organizational habits.
Through this integrated approach, organization transforms from a dreaded “extra task” into a natural part of the learning process. Students don’t just learn about organization; they live it, breathe it, and most importantly, understand its value in their academic journey.
A Simple Yet Effective Classroom Organization System
Creating an effective organization system doesn’t require complex tools or expensive materials. In my classroom, I’ve developed a straightforward approach using simple plastic folders that has transformed how students manage their materials.
Timing the Implementation
The implementation begins in the second week of school, after the initial shuffle of schedule adjustments has settled. This timing is strategic. The first few days often involve students switching classes due to scheduling changes. Waiting ensures our organizational efforts aren’t disrupted by these transitions.
The Two-Pocket Folder System
Each student receives a plastic folder color coded to their specific class period. I deliberately choose folders over binders, appreciating their simplicity and space efficiency. The folders slip easily into backpacks and store neatly in the classroom. Students then personalize their folders by writing their names in the top right corner. To add an element of fun and personal expression, I sometimes provide stickers for additional customization.
The Essential Resource Center (Left Pocket)
The folder’s left pocket acts as an “Essential Resource Center.” It is designated to house frequently used materials. These materials support student success throughout the year. Within this pocket, students maintain a comprehensive monthly calendar template. They use it to record assignment deadlines, test dates, project milestones, and important school events. This organizational tool helps develop crucial time management skills and ensures students stay on top of their coursework. The pocket also contains hall passes aligned with established bathroom procedures, and a periodic table that serves as a vital reference tool throughout the semester. Different classes might require different resources. The point is to offer a space for commonly referenced materials in the folder.
To enhance accessibility and durability, I print these frequently used items on colored stock paper. This ensures the documents withstand semester-long use. It also helps students quickly locate specific items among their papers. If colored stock paper is not available, I use colored paper.
Classwork/Homework (Right Pocket)
The right pocket is designated for classwork and homework assignments. At its heart is the “Table of Contents,” a living document that grows with each lesson. As we progress through the curriculum, students systematically log each new handout and assignment, numbering them sequentially. This running record helps students track their learning journey and maintains an organized flow of materials.
Supporting Student Success
The Absent Binder System
To support students who miss class, I maintain an Absent Binder that serves as a central resource for catching up on missed work. This binder contains an updated master Table of Contents. It matches what their classmates have recorded. This ensures absent students can easily identify what they missed. The binder is organized chronologically, with clearly labeled sections containing extra copies of all handouts, worksheets, and assignments. Each assignment is placed in plastic sheet protectors. When students return to class, they can independently access this binder. They retrieve the materials they need. They also update their personal Table of Contents to match their classmates. This system promotes student responsibility and makes the process of catching up after an absence more manageable and less stressful.
This structured approach to managing missed work helps absent students stay on track. It also reduces class disruption. Returning students can seamlessly integrate back into the learning process without requiring extensive teacher intervention. The personal folder system works together with the Absent Binder. They create a comprehensive organization strategy. This strategy supports all students in maintaining their academic progress despite attendance challenges.
Unit Organization Strategy
When we complete a unit, the system evolves from daily organization to long-term study support. Students gather all related materials, following their Table of Contents to ensure nothing is missing from their collection. They organize these materials in chronological order. This process creates a comprehensive narrative of their learning journey. Once organized, students staple these materials together to create unit packets. This bundling has several purposes. It prevents papers from being lost. It maintains the logical flow of concepts. It also creates a manageable study resource that can be easily transported between school and home.
Creating Long-Term Study Resources
These unit packets become invaluable study guides, serving as complete references for exam review and concept reinforcement. The sequential organization assists students in tracing the development of key ideas throughout the unit. This method makes it easier to understand how concepts build upon each other. When preparing for midterms or final exams, students can efficiently review entire units of study. They can use their organized packets to identify areas where they need additional practice. They can also find where they require clarification. The packets are excellent resources for spiral review. They allow students to quickly refresh their understanding of earlier concepts. This thoughtful organization of completed units has a transformative effect. It turns loose, scattered papers into coherent, accessible study tools.
Beyond Organization: Building Student Success
In today’s classroom, teaching organization isn’t just an add-on. It’s a fundamental skill that enables students to thrive academically and develop a sense of control over their learning journey. When a student keeps their materials in order, they don’t waste time piecing together notes or stressing over lost assignments. Instead, they are able to focus directly on understanding and mastering concepts. This level of organization empowers students to approach challenging topics calmly. They are confident, knowing they have everything they need at their fingertips. By embedding organizational skills into everyday routines and lessons, we give students not only the practical tools to stay on top of their work but also the confidence to tackle complex tasks and persist through challenges.
Notes:
- If you’re looking to deepen your understanding of teaching executive function skills like organization, I highly recommend Executive Functions for Every Classroom by Mitch Weathers. This recommendation comes purely from my experience with the book’s valuable insights—no endorsements involved! ↩︎
