10 Tips For Preparing For Back-to-School
Summer is flying by and before we know it, students will be heading back-to-school. Whether your child will be distance learning, in-person learning or homeschooling, it’s always best to start preparing now. There is always so much to do before that first day; school supplies to purchase, homework/study areas to set up, important documents like IEPs and 504s to review. Reduce the stress and avoid the rush by getting a head start during these quiet summer months!
Here are our top 10 tried-and-true tips to get your student (and you!) ready for back-to-school.
1. Make A Study Playlist. Music can help the brain activate. It can also bolster attention and focus. Some students need it to drown out distracting sounds. Others need it to get their adrenaline going to get motivated. If your student needs music to get going, have them create a music playlist of songs they are familiar with. When it’s time to get down to business, just switch on the playlist and you’re ready to (literally) rock!
2. Fill out your Personal Homework Profile - Every student has individual homework preferences and personalities. By creating a Personal Personal Homework Profile Profile, your student can take a more holistic approach that focuses on THEIR best practices for getting homework done. The homework profile creates a roadmap that taps into their strengths and needs they will have the tools and resources to maximize and strengthen that homework muscle.
[Read: Does Your Student Have a Personal Homework Profile?]
3. Review your student’s IEP or 504 if they have one. A new school year can bring about new changes for your child like new classes, new teachers, possibly a new school, etc. Therefore it’s a perfect time to review. Make sure that it clearly states the goals, accommodations, and/or services you want for the year.
[10 Questions to Ask Your Student’s Teacher if Your Student Has an IEP or 504]
4. Set up a meeting/call with guidance counselor or related professionals. – The beginning of the year is the perfect time to start things off on the right foot. Address expectations and/or concerns that you might have for your student during the upcoming school year and formulate a plan together. If it’s a new school arrange a tour before the first day so your student can become familiar with the building.
5. Choose organizing supplies for your student - Now more than ever our students need to be able to have EVERYTHING they need at their fingertips. Pick supplies that are easy to use and maintain. We highly recommend the Samsill 5 Subject All-In-One School organizers. They have a unique design that gives students an EASY way to take notes, complete homework, keep track of papers and assignments all-in-one place. And they were designed by Order Out Of Chaos’ own time management expert, Leslie Josel!
6. Hang analog clocks in every room of the house your child spends time in. Analog clocks help students see the actual passing of time, allowing them to see the overall sweep of time as it passes. Why is this important? Because your student needs to be able to SEE their time to learn to manage it!
[Read: My Student Has No Concept of Time ]
7. Create a landing zone — Every student needs a landing zone – one place in the home where everything that goes in and out lives. Thing backpacks, soccer bag, dance tote, clarinet.. you get the idea! Hang a whiteboard, hang a clock, make sure there is an outlet for charging devices like phones and tablets. This will help improve organization for the entire family!
[Organize your workspace with our favorite organizing supplies]
8. Set up your student’s planner/family calendar/electronic apps - Different systems work for different individuals. Help your student find and prepare the best planner system.. for them! We love our award-winning, patented-designed, Order Out of Chaos Academic Planner: A Tool for Time Management for paper planning and also have several recommendations for electronic apps HERE.
9. Purchase alarm clocks. Yes, alarm clocks. Your child should NOT be using his phone as one. There are tons of great options out there for all students. There is even one that we love called SONIC BOOM that gets even the deepest sleepers out of bed!
10. Create a School Supply Zone - When your student finally sits down to do their work do they have everything they need? All in one place? Most likely not. Simple solution – your students need a school supply zone. It’s not necessarily where they will do homework (you know I like students to move around while working) BUT there should be one place in the house where their printer, textbooks, supplies, etc. are all located. And a tip within a tip! When shopping for back to school make sure to stock up then for all those essentials. Avoid those late night trips to the store.
[VIDEO: How to Create a Launching Pad/School Supply Zone]
The first days of school can be a challenge as children adjust now more than ever. Use these 10 tips to help make the transition easier for you and your child. If you have any tips that work well for your family, please share them in the comments below!! We always love new ideas!
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