Thinking Organized for Parents and Children: Helping Kids Get Organized for Home, School & Play

by Rhona M. Gordon

Book Overview

What do you do with children who just can't keep track of their things? Or constantly forget homework and commitments? Even very bright students can have trouble in school when they experience... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0979003415
• ISBN13: 9780979003417
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: Thinking Organized
• Length: 197 Pages
• Weight: 0.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Organization equals happiness and sanity

Reviewed by Tammy Petty Conrad for Reader Views (10/07) Every time I see the same children coming to school late, I feel like handing them this book. Or at least sharing it with their parents! The author had the disorganized student in mind as she developed a program to help children be successful in school. She is a speech and language pathologist, as well as an organizational specialist. Rhona has worked with a variety of organizations and students during her thirty years in these fields. While primarily designed for 5th - 12th graders, she does discuss ways to modify the information for younger students. She starts by defining executive functions, which are a group of skills used to set and meet goals. Gordon says these are the "...underlying basis for successful academic achievement." There are six aspects covered: material organization, time management, studying strategies, memory techniques, note taking for reading comprehension and written language. As she states, ultimately the goal is for independence for the child, but until that happens, habits and routines most be formed. The book is formatted so you don't have to read the whole thing to work on a specific area. There is also a web site with more information, including worksheets and handouts. The style is straightforward and accepting of all students and their families. I appreciate the checklists in each chapter which serve as a review of the key elements discussed. The author also includes "homework" to reinforce new skills and fun activities to do with the family. Learning styles, which are taught to teachers, are addressed as well. It is a great idea to let students know their styles so they know how they need to take in information for it to be meaningful to them. This is definitely something that students will need support with. Anyone who works with students can use the processes outlined to help make students more effective. Pointing out the benefits of the strategies always motivates students to continue striving for improvement. Short vignettes about previous students are included to illustrate the points and a complete list of resources is included at the end for readers interested in doing more research. Instead of blaming children for their failures, "Thinking Organized for Parents and Children" addresses the problems and offer solutions and success stories. I would buy this one in bulk to share with fellow teachers, parents and anyone else who deals with children. As the saying goes, when you know better, you do better!