Student Homework Planner Organization Tips

We all know the positive effects organization can have on our lives. Yet, organization is not something that is innate for many and is a skill that needs to be learned.  As teachers, it is important to give our students the skills they need to move forward as successfully as possible, and something as simple as teaching them homework organization skills and offering homework tips can really impact their success and self-confidence.

Homework agendas are a tool that can really help students stay organized, but we sometimes neglect to show them how to use this tool successfully at the start of the school year. Here are a few homework organization tips that students can use within their homework agendas to stay organized this school year.

How to Motivate Students to do Their Homework

Whether you are 'for' assigning homework or 'against' assigning homework, there are definitely a few advantages to assigning homework to upper elementary students.

• Homework gives students the opportunity to develop their Executive Functioning Skills as they get ready to enter middle school. 
• It allows students to practice skills independently in order to see if they have mastered it on their own. 
• It gives families an insight as to what students are learning at school. 
• Lastly, if used properly, teachers can use it to informally assess students to help guide them on further individualized instruction.

All that being said, we know that not all students are intrinsically motivated to complete their homework. How to motivate students to do their homework is a challenge quite a few of us teachers face, but there are several techniques that we can implement to guarantee that most (if not all) of our students are turning in their homework on a consistent basis.

Student Organization Ideas for Upper Elementary

Taking time to set up systems for students at the beginning of the school year, really helps to keep things flowing the rest of the year. This is why helping students get organized at school is very important.

If you're looking for some organization tips for students, here are ten student organization ideas that have worked for my students for several years now, helping us move efficiently and effectively throughout the school year.

How to Build a Classroom Library Practically for Free

We all know that the more kids read the better at reading they become, and the best way to do that is to promote a love for reading. One way we can do this is by having a large variety of books at their fingertips by having a well stocked, diverse classroom library, but how can we build a classroom library when our schools aren't funding our them?

There are several ways to grow your classroom library without having to spend a fortune on books. As a matter of fact, there are quite a few ways to build your classroom library for free. Here are a few ways you can have a well stocked classroom library on a teacher budget.

End of the School Year Books to Read Aloud to Upper Elementary

As we get ready to end the school year, reading a book on the last day of school is a great way to leave students with a positive thought and a wonderful memory.

As my fifth graders get ready to leave our school and start their new ventures as middle school students, I like to share stories with them that include messages of hope and self-love.

Here are a few end of the school year books that you can share with your upper elementary students as you say farewell to them this year.

Teachers Pay Teachers Promo Codes Not Needed to Save Money, Here's How

Are you looking for ways to save money on Teachers Pay Teachers with more than just the occasional promo code sent out during sales? Well, you're in luck. Although Teachers Pay Teachers promo codes are a nice way to occasionally save some money, there are more than a handful of more effective ways to get some great resources at deep discounts, helping you be the most effective, engaging, and efficient teacher you can be without breaking the bank. 

Earth Day Projects for Older Kids

Earth Day is the perfect time to show older kids how they can reuse scraps, junk mail, and other materials to make fun and useful items. It's one of my favorite holidays because incorporating Earth Day projects allows students to do what they do best, be inquisitive and creative. Below, I share with you several themes you can introduce to your upper elementary students to help inspire them to make something new out of reusable resources.