Supporting Students with Supporting Students with Special NeedsSpecial Needs

The impact of disorganization and how we can help

How does being disorganized How does being disorganized impact a child? impact a child? (Lavoie, 2006)(Lavoie, 2006)

1. Social isolation- An unpredictable, undependable friend- Chronic tardiness- Inability to adhere to social schedules2. Conflicts with teachers- Incomplete homework- Ineffective study habits- Unproductive use of class time3. Conflicts at home- Family activities are compromised

Main Cause of Main Cause of Disorganization in Students Disorganization in Students

with LDwith LD• Do not have executive function – “the

brain’s CEO”An inability to:• Understand cause & effect• Sequence categorize & prioritize• Stay focused on a task• Make transition from one subject to

another• Use working memory – hold on to new

information while you’re using it

Causes of Disorganization Causes of Disorganization (Lavoie, 2006)(Lavoie, 2006)

1. Material-Spatial Disorganization- Difficulty managing tools (pens, rulers, clothes)- Loses things oftenStrategy – teach them to use a checklist

2. Temporal-Spatial Disorganization- Difficulty dealing with time and sequence – cannot

predict how long an activity will takeStrategy – Practice using the time/clock organizer, use

agenda for tutoring session

Causes of Disorganization Causes of Disorganization (Lavoie, 2006)(Lavoie, 2006)

3. Transitional Disorganization- Unprepared for the next step – (agenda for session)- Procrastinates during transitionsStrategies – warn them 5 minutes in advance of change in

activity, give them a specific task to do during transition time (e.g. silent reading)

4. Prospective Retrieval Disorganization- Affected by memory deficits- Unable to remember directionsStrategy – Use visual tools as a guide to remind them of what

they need to do – assignment planner, photo of organized locker, school bag

Photo of an organized lockerPhoto of an organized lockerVisualizing what it looks likeVisualizing what it looks like

• Hang a copy of photo inside locker as reference

• Go over all aspects of organized locker with students

Look at the picture and the caption. Look at the picture and the caption. What does it mean to you?What does it mean to you?

Why teach our students to Why teach our students to be organized in high be organized in high

school?school?

• Organization is a worthwhile life-long skill.

• Developing good organizational skills is a key ingredient for success in school and in life.

• Some students need support to make the transition from elementary to high school – what worked in elementary school may not work in high school!

Elementary to High School: A Elementary to High School: A Challenging TransitionChallenging Transition

• No longer one homeroom – students change classes throughout day

• Multiple subjects, teachers, classrooms• Shift in focus from process (how to do things) to

product (finished work)• Classes become more subject-specific• Shift in expectations – more requirements,

choices, changes, & independence• Higher level of individual responsibility &

accountability

Disorganized students may..Disorganized students may..

• Forget what they have for homework.

• Lose or misplace things.

• Leave needed books or materials at school or at home.

• Waste time looking for supplies.

• Wait until the last minute to do projects or study for tests.

• Have a messy schoolbag and/or locker.

• Arrive late to school or class.

What are some of the strategies that What are some of the strategies that these students need?these students need?

1. Learn to use checklists.

2. How to use an assignment planner.

3. Learn to organize information from textbooks and notes.

Organizing my materials to takeOrganizing my materials to take HOME

Before I leave school…

Did I write all of my homework in my agenda?

Did I put all my books, notebooks, and folders in my bag?

Did I put all my books back in my desk where they belong?

Did I put important letters in my bag?

(Taped & laminated in locker, agenda, or accordion folder)

Organizing my materials to take Organizing my materials to take back toback to SCHOOL

Before I leave home…

Did I check my homework in my agenda?

Did I do all of my homework?

Did I put all my books, notebooks, and folders in my bag?

Did I clean up my home desk?

(Laminated and taped on back of bedroom door or area where school materials are kept)

Time Management:Help students plan ahead.

Many students do not know how long it should take to complete an assignment

or study for an exam.

Assignment Tasks Due Tutor/Student Check

Project about the environment(Dec.12/06)

1. Choose a topic2. Find information3. Summarize information4. Edit my writing5. Retype my work6. Hand in the project

Dec. 1/06Dec. 3/06Dec. 5/06

Dec. 8/06Dec. 10/06Dec.12/06

History test(Chapters 1-4)(Dec. 8/06)

1. Read chapter 1 &22. Discuss information with

a friend or parent, take notes

3. Read chapter 3 & 44. Discuss information with

a friend or parent, take notes

5. Review chapters 1 & 2 6. Discuss information with

a friend or parent, take notes

7. Review chapters 3 & 48. Discuss information with

a friend or parent, take notes

9. Review notes and discuss all of the chapters

10. Take the test

Dec. 1/06Dec. 2/05

Dec. 3/05

Dec. 4/05Dec.5/05

Dec. 6/05Dec. 7/05

Assignment PlannerAssignment Planner (grade 7-8) (grade 7-8)

ASSIGNMENT PLANNER WEEK OF:____________

Assignment Tasks Due Done Materials Needed

Due : 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Due: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Exams/tests To Study Done Materials Needed

Due: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Organizing Information with Organizing Information with graphic organizersgraphic organizers

• Sequencing events (e.g. history, Tanach)

Tool: Time line with visuals• Compare/contrast (literature, math, science) Tool:

Venn Diagram• Understanding vocabulary/concepts, expressing

creative ideas, responding to literature

Tool: Mind map• Understanding ‘Big Ideas’, locating essential

details

Tool: Frame Graphic

Sequencing events in historySequencing events in history

Compare/contrast 2 novelsCompare/contrast 2 novelsSimilarities & DifferencesSimilarities & Differences

Understanding a concept

Frame GraphicFrame Graphic

Example of Note taking Outline: Jewish History

Holy Texts:Written Torah –--Oral Torah –--Holy Persons:Rabbis –-Priests and Prophets- -Holy Times:Festivals – --Non-Torah holidays – --

Resources

• Graphic organizers, mind mapping and more– http://bjecpd.pbwiki.com

• History 414 – sample note-making pages– www.geocities.com/enhancinglearning