Emphasize Organizational Skills in Elementary Students

Posted In Application On January 4, 2025

Organizational skills are a foundational aspect of executive function, essential for students’ academic and personal success. For elementary school teachers, fostering organization within the classroom environment can lead to improved student performance, enhanced social interactions, and stronger self-regulation. Below, we share practical strategies to integrate executive function techniques into daily routines, helping students develop confidence as organized, capable learners.

Why Teach Organization?

Organization is more than just tidiness; it’s a critical component of executive function, which includes planning, prioritizing, and managing time and materials. By teaching executive function skills such as organization, teachers help students overcome learning challenges, build confidence, and improve academic performance. Organization supports a student’s ability to focus, remember important tasks, and participate fully in the classroom.

Practical Strategies for Developing Organizational Skills

Observation and Reflection

This activity enhances student engagement and promotes metacognition, helping students recognize the value of organization in real time. It aligns with solving executive function challenges by fostering awareness of how their environment affects their learning.

• Encourage students to observe their surroundings throughout the day. Pause and ask, “How do you think an improvement in organization can help you learn better right now?” Document their responses and create a chart linking their ideas to specific benefits. For example, students may notice that organized desks help them find supplies quickly, allowing them to focus on learning.

Setting Organization Goals

This exercise builds students’ organizational skills and fosters confidence by celebrating progress and addressing challenges. Incorporating this into an executive function curriculum creates consistent opportunities for growth.

• Have students draw or write their organization goals on note cards. For instance, a goal might be: “Keep my desk neat and clean.” Encourage students to review these goals throughout the week and reflect on their progress. Discuss obstacles they’ve faced and collaborate on strategies to overcome them.

Desk and Workspace Management

This task reinforces the executive function definition of organization—managing materials efficiently—while improving academic performance by ensuring students have the tools they need to succeed.

• Work with students to create a checklist of items they need in their desks or workspaces. Post this checklist in the classroom and conduct periodic “Item Checks” to ensure students have everything they need. For example, pencils, erasers, and notebooks might be part of the list.

Daily Checklist for Dismissal

This strategy improves students’ ability to smoothly transition at the end of the day, addressing common executive function challenges.

• Create a class checklist of tasks to complete before leaving school, such as packing up folders, tidying workspaces, and gathering homework. Display this checklist near the door and dedicate time each day for students to complete the tasks. Read the checklist aloud to encourage students to double-check their readiness.

“Work to Do” Board

This visual reminder supports students’ learning needs and reduces forgotten assignments, contributing to improved academic performance and better student behavior management.

• Designate a section of your whiteboard for a “Work to Do” list. Add assignments or tasks throughout the day and review the list together before dismissal. Have students check their folders to ensure all listed items are packed correctly.

By focusing on organization, you’re not just teaching students to stay tidy—you’re equipping them with the executive functioning tools they need to thrive academically and socially.

Elementary students showing off their organizational skills as they arrive to their classroom.

Integrating Executive Function Strategies

Incorporating these activities into your classroom routines not only teaches organization but also promotes student empowerment and engagement. These strategies address students’ learning needs by helping them manage their time, materials, and responsibilities. They also enhance students’ social skills by encouraging collaboration and teamwork during shared tasks.

By embedding these practices into your executive function lessons, you’re building an executive function system that equips students with tools they can use beyond the classroom. With consistent executive function instruction, students develop habits that support long-term success.

Additional Resources for Teachers

Looking for more ideas to teach organizational skills? Check out these resources:

• Ways to practice organizational skills for grades 5-8
• Ways to practice organizational skills for grades 9-12
• Sign up for our newsletter to receive regular updates and tips for teaching executive function skills.
• Explore Cerebrate’s Executive Function Lessons for a comprehensive solution for your students.