Ideas for Preparing for Schoolwork

• Preparation for schoolwork -- whether in class or after school -- is an important step in completing schoolwork and doing your best. After all, it is unreasonable to expect students to perform well when they've stumbled into school that morning without enough sleep the night before, or to maintain focus throughout the afternoon on a lunch of chips and pizza. Each night, prepare for schoolwork by getting clothes ready, making sure homework is organized and ready to go, and getting a good night's sleep. A calm morning routine, including a healthy breakfast, will ensure children are fueled and ready to focus on school in the morning, and a nutritious lunch and afternoon snack will help them power through the afternoon. Time outside will help kids blow off steam and clear their heads before doing homework.
  
  

Ideas for Doing Schoolwork

• Begin doing schoolwork with a clear idea of tasks to be accomplished, preferably in checklist form. This helps students stay on track and track their own progress. Before starting work, make sure all necessary tools -- pencils, paper, erasers, dictionaries, or any other special supplies -- are readily available to maximize effectiveness. Create a quiet, distraction-free work zone, and work in blocks, with regular breaks. Prior to setting aside an assignment, have students briefly review their work to make sure they have answered all questions and not made any silly mistakes.
  
  

Ideas for Organizing Schoolwork

• Staying organized is a crucial component of completing and doing well on schoolwork, for students of all ages. Establish a system, at the beginning of the school year, for storing, turning in and otherwise keeping track of schoolwork. For example, create a separate binder or folder for each subject, with a section for tracking assignments and notes from the teacher. Have a regular place in your home where completed homework will go so you can find it quickly when it's time to turn it in. A large calendar can help you stay on track of due dates. School modules -- as simple as a plastic bin of necessary supplies -- can help you keep all your tools in one place, mobile and easily accessible.
  
  

Ideas for Storing Schoolwork

• Parents may receive old schoolwork weekly, monthly or at the end of the year. Rather than storing all your children's schoolwork indefinitely, create a box for each child where completed work will be placed after it is returned by the teacher. Store it until the end of the year; once school is out, allow each child to keep a few of the most important pieces, and toss the rest.