Location, location, location!

Your children will be better students at school if they have a place to be students at home. A specific study spot improves mindset and organization. The study area can be a separate office/study, a portion of their bedroom, or even dining table that rarely gets used. The idea is that they have a workspace consisting of:

• A sturdy table big enough for a desktop/laptop computer and/or a homework project in progress.
• Shelves: For dictionary, thesaurus, school directory and textbooks. (If children are sharing a workspace, each child needs his own shelf.)
• Filing system: A drawer with hanging files works well. Have a file for each subject to contain class notes, assignments, handouts, quizzes, exams.
• Suggest to your children that they clean out their binders after each chapter/test and file their materials.
• Bulletin Board: Keep it stocked with pushpins for school notes, announcements, permission slips.

Students also need a plethora of supplies easily available to them. Don’t let them waste a precious half hour searching for more batteries so they can finish their math homework. Have in their study area:

• Writing Instruments
  • pencils
  • colored pens and pencils
  • highlighters
• Place Keepers
  • post-its
  • flags
  • note cards (lined and unlined)
  • lined paper
  • graph paper
  • printer paper
  • pocket folders
  • file folders
• Connectors
  • paper clips
  • stapler & staples
  • glue stick
  • rubber bands
  • hole reinforcements
  • tape
  • rubber cement
• Facilitators
  • pencil sharpener
  • erasers (large and tips for pencils)
  • pencil grip
  • hole punch
  • ruler
  • white out
  • dictionary/thesaurus
  • scissors
  • batteries