Organizing a Student Desk

Students have a lot of items to store in their desks. Having a well organized desk will make finding school work and needed supplies much easier. Better yet, being organized may improve academic performance.

1. Use Folders: Teachers often have specific folder categories they encourage students to use. Find out what your child's teacher recommends and reinforce those. These are commonly used categories:

• Homework Folder – mark one side "To Do" and one side "To Turn In". This folder is for school work that the student needs to take home, complete and return to school. Throughout the school day, when a student has unfinished work, put it in this folder. If he/she has time later in the school day, the work can be taken out of the homework folder and worked on. If not, it's ready to go home at the end of the day. When arriving at school, the "To Turn In" work can easily be located.


• Stay Home Folder – completed and corrected work that is no longer needed at school. Fliers for parents can be put in this folder as soon as they are received.


• Blank Paper Folder – paper student will need for his/her work.


• Subject Folders – assign one subject per folder – store all handouts for that subject.


• No loose paper in the desk. Every paper should fit in one of the assigned folder categories.


• Label each folder.

2. Use a supply bag or box for pencils, crayons, erasers, ruler, and scissors. Use the pencil tray for only a few pencils and an eraser. All other small items ought to be containerized, so they are easy to find.

3. Keep only needed items in the desk:

• Put garbage in the trash as soon as possible.


• Toys take up valuable space. If students are allowed to bring toys for recess, store them in the child's locker.


• Keep excess supplies at home or in your locker until needed.

4. Put items in the same spot in the desk every time they are put away. You'll know right where to look for needed supplies.

5. Organize the desk weekly to maintain order.

Talk with your child about ways to keep his/her desk organized. Ask to see the homework folder daily and the Stay Home Folder daily or weekly, depending on the teacher's schedule. Discuss any concerns with your child and your child's teacher. Encourage your child's efforts to become more organized.