Organization Rocks!

I love to be organized. I am the person that has nightmares about clutter and a desk covered with paperwork. Through experience and research, I have found some great ways to get organized. Have funJ

For Parents and Fellow Teachers

TAKE A LOOK:  Diigo (http://www.diigo.com/)

In order to organize the plethora of online information we are constantly interacting with, check out Diigo. I created a Diigo account to keep track of research, articles, and videos for a technology class and have found it to be an invaluable resource.

Once you have created a Diigo account, a Diigo symbol or tool bar will appear on your Web window. When you find a site you wish to keep and reaccess, you click the Diigo symbol and select “Bookmark”. You are able to describe the site and give it tags, which make it easier for you to find in the future. Additionally, you can highlight important information or place a sticky note on the page. In your Diigo Library, the user can create lists to further organize their Web sites. For my classroom, I will be creating lists to organize different subjects and themes.

What makes this tool more amazing is its ability to allow collaboration between parties. You can make your Diigo public and interact in the Diigo community!

Check out my Diigo account: http://www.diigo.com/user/zanwan

For Kids

TAKE A LOOK: Picture Bins

“Please excuse the mess my children are making memories.”

Our children’s rooms can become complete chaos as our children learn and play.  However, after play some order and floor space would be appreciated. In my classroom, we utilize pictures to indicate where students need to return toys. We model how to match the toy to the picture. As a result of this simple system, our students have learned self help skills and thus gained independence.

While taking pictures of all your child’s toys and having a specific place for them may be inappropriate and overwhelming in your home, you can institute a modified version… picture bins. By using a shelving unit, book shelf, or space under a bed, install tubs of various sizes. Decide on what you would like to be stored in the container, for example: a bin for cars, trains, or puzzles. Take a picture of the toys in the bin. Print the picture and attach it to the outside of the bin, which is visible to your child. As your child plays and interact with new toys, model how to return toys to the bins. Praise your child for their efforts! Your child will enjoy the independence and you will enjoy seeing the floor J