Setting Up for Success
Friday, September 2, 2011 at 1:23AM
CREATE THE SPACE
Study Box
Everyone gets new shoes for back to school. This year we’ve decided to personalize our shoe boxes and use the for our study boxes. All the tools we need to complete homework ar
e in the box: pens, pencils, calculators, French/English dictionaries and thesaurus. We used the school supply list provide from our school to make sure filled our boxes with
everything we would need for the school year.
If my kids find another spot to do homework, their toolbox can go with them.
MITK tip. Have the kids personalize their duo tangs or decorate their pencils; they take more ownership of it!Save
Visual Aids are great for Your Children and their Workspace
For the youngest grades
- alphabet letters
- numbers
- recognition words that they are learning
For the older grades
- have a homework duo tang that could include helpful information that will help build strengths
- multiplication chart
- math formulas
- grammar rules
…just as a few suggestions
MITK tip. There are many books and workbooks out there that reinforce essential skills and develop critical thinking for children. One of my favourites is 365 Simple Science Experiments with Everyda Materials from Scholastic . We have a blast doing it together. Try to get involved in your Child’s learning.
Calendar
Have a calendar near by. It will be a perfect tool for recording when assignments are due, field trips as well as all other extra-curricular activities your child might be involved in. The calendar is a perfect organizational tool as well as a keepsake at the end of the year to take a look back at all of your child’s accomplishments.
MITK tip. Most schools have a newsletter with important dates, add them to your calendar as soon as you receive them. Get rid of the paper trail!
KEEPING IT TOGETHER
Label It
Mabels Labels has all the labels needed to identify kids belongings and keep their things out of the lost and found.
Art Portfolio
We can now keep all of our little artists artwork! Take two prices of Bristol board and staple them together keeping the top open. I have been collecting the artwork and reusing it as wrapping paper, cards, and giving out pieces to family. The 'great works of art' I frame it.
Backpacks - It is worth the search for a good one
A few of my favourites:
JWorld New York have a great line of backpacks on wheels. Some models have the wheels light up.
Heys Plaid Backpack, featured in the Ottawa Citizen, has a distinct plaid fabric. The curved shoulder straps wrap around your shoulders securely and the foam padding cushion the weight of the pack on your shoulders. There is an interior organizer for your cell phone, pens, and accessories.
The OBUS FORME is another great choice. It is one of the few backpacks that offer a waist strap.
All are available at Capital City Luggage www.capitalcityluggage.com
Reader Comments (1)
MEC has great backpacks as well. They are big enough to carry lunches, books, shoes and homework and they last forever. We've just replaced the one I bought for my son to enter grade 1 and he's going into grade 6 now. And the price point is great as well!