1. Organizing Together Professional Developer’s Guide developed by D
Organizing Together Professional Developer’s Guide developed by D. Sue Vernon, Donald D. Deshler, and Jean B. Schumaker
The Community-Building
Series
2006
The University of Kansas
Center for Research on Learning
Lawrence, Kansas
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2003

2. Community Building Strategies
The purpose of the Community-Building Series
To build learning communities in classrooms in which all members:
Work together to facilitate every student’s learning
Are encouraged to participate and do their best
Feel valued and appreciated
Feel safe and supported
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2003

3. A Learning Community Is…
An environment that fosters mutual cooperation, emotional support, and personal growth as (people) work together to achieve what they cannot accomplish alone.
DuFour & Eaker, 1998
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2003

4. Manuals in the Community-Building Series
Talking Together
Following Instructions Together
Organizing Together
Taking Notes Together
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2003

5. The Purpose of Organizing Together
To build a classroom learning community.
To work in a respectful, tolerant partnership with one another.
To teach students how to establish and maintain organized notebooks, desks, backpacks, and lockers.
To teach students to use a calendar to record and remember assignments and events.
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

6. Goals of Organizing Together
To provide to students specific procedures for organizing school materials.
To provide peer models to students who have difficulty organizing materials and time.
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

7. Research Findings
Compared to students in comparison classes, students in experimental classes:
Understood and more accurately used a weekly calendar to record assignments and events.
Maintained more organized notebooks, desks, and backpacks.
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

8. Percentage of items correctly organized
Desk Checklist
Percentage of items correctly organized
100%
Pretest
90%
Posttest
80%
72%
70%
60%
50%
Year: 2000
Number of students in study : 124
Number of teachers: 6
Ages of students: 7-10 years
41%
40%
29%
30%
22%
20%
10% 0%
Experimental
Comparison
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

9. Percentage of items correctly organized
Notebook Checklist
Percentage of items correctly organized
100%
Pretest
90%
Posttest
80%
75%
70%
60%
50%
Year: 2000
Number of students in study : 124
Number of teachers: 6
Ages of students: 7-10 years
40%
30%
20%
10%
10% 0% 0% 0%
Experimental
Comparison
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

10. Percentage of items correctly organized
Backpack Checklist
Percentage of items correctly organized
100%
Pretest
90%
Posttest
80%
70%
60%
55%
55%
51%
50%
Year: 2000
Number of students in study : 124
Number of teachers: 6
Ages of students: 7-10 years
43%
40%
30%
20%
10% 0%
Experimental
Comparison
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

11. Percentage of items correctly organized
Calendar Checklist
Percentage of items correctly organized
100%
Pretest
90%
85%
Posttest
80%
74%
68%
70%
60%
55%
50%
Year: 2000
Number of students in study : 124
Number of teachers: 6
Ages of students: 7-10 years
40%
30%
20%
10% 0%
Experimental
Comparison
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

12. Basic Components of the Organizing Together Manual
Introduction
Instructional Lessons
Instructional Tips
Cue Cards
Student Materials
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

13. Overview of the 5 Lessons
Lesson 1: Learning Community & Notice Your Neighbor
Lesson 2: Notebook Organization
Lesson 3: Time Organization
Lesson 4: Desk and/or Locker Organization
Lesson 5: Backpack Organization
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

14. Lesson 1: Learning Community & Notice Your Neighbor
Review the principles & concepts associated with building a learning community.
Review respect.
Review tolerance.
Review the features of a learning community.
Introduce the “Notice Your Neighbor” Strategy.
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

15. Definition of Learning Community
Finding out something new
COMMUNITY =
A place where people live and work
LEARNING COMMUNITY =
A group of people who care about and support each other as they learn about new things
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

16. Notice Your Neighbor Compare with your neighbor
Help your neighbor or ask for help, if necessary
Ask for help from the teacher, if needed
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

17. Lesson 2: Notebook Organization
Give an Advance Organizer
Introduce and Describe
The importance of having an organized notebook
How to organize a notebook
How to respond to the words “File,” “Retrieve,” & “Clean”
How to maintain an organized notebook
Give a Post Organizer
Follow-up
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

18. Materials Needed for Notebook
Pencil/pen pouch
Two pocket folders
Divider labels:
#1 “Calendar”
#2 ___________________________
#3 ___________________________
#4 ___________________________
#5 ___________________________
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

19. Materials Needed for Notebook (cont.)
#6 ______________________
#7 ______________________
Dividers
Blank Paper
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

20. Instructions for Organizing Your Notebook
1. Place all pens, papers, and erasers in the pouch.
2. Place the pouch in the front of the notebook.
3. Label one pocket folder “TAKE HOME.” Place it in the notebook after the pouch.
4. Make a divider labeled “CALENDAR.” Place it in the notebook after the “TAKE HOME” folder.
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

21. Instructions for Organizing Your Notebook (cont.)
5. Make a divider for each of your subjects/ classes. Place the dividers in the notebook after the “CALENDAR” divider.
6. Place about five sheets of blank paper behind each subject divider.
7. Label the second pocket folder “MISCELLANEOUS.” Place it in the back of the notebook.
8. Put extra paper at the back of the notebook.
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

22. File Retrieve Clean Using Your Notebook
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

23. Notebook Checklist ___ At least one pencil or pen is in the pouch.
___ The pouch is at the front of the notebook.
___ The “TAKE HOME” pocket divider is behind the pouch.
___ Current homework and messages to or from your parents are in the “TAKE HOME” pocket.
___ Completed assignments are filed behind the correct subject areas.
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

24. Notebook Checklist (cont.)
___ There are no loose papers or papers sticking out at odd angles.
___ The “MISCELLANEOUS” pocket folder contains only useful reference materials or items currently needed for one of your subjects.
___ At least five blank sheets of paper are behind each subject divider.
___ Extra paper is behind the Miscellaneous pocket folder. 
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

25. Lesson 3: Time Organization
Give an Advance Organizer
Introduce and Describe
The purpose of the Calendar Strategy
The steps of the Strategy
How to create a Weekly Calendar
Conduct a Practice
Give a Post Organizer
Follow-up
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

26. Instructions for Creating a Weekly Calendar
1. Write the name of the current month on the line after the words “Month of.”
2. By consulting a calendar, write the correct dates (for example, 1, 2, 3) for the current week next to the corresponding days (for example, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday).
3. Write your subjects in the order you have them on the lines on the left side of the calendar.
4. Place this calendar behind the divider labeled “CALENDAR.”
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

27. Listen Locate Log The Calendar Strategy
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

28. Month of ______________
Weekly Calendar
Month of ______________
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

29. Month of ______________
Weekly Calendar p.1
Month of ______________
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

30. Month of ______________
Weekly Calendar p.2
Month of ______________
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

31. Calendar Checklist
___ At least one current Weekly Calendar is behind the divider labeled “CALENDAR.”
___ The name of the appropriate month is written after the words “Month of.”
___ The correct date is written on the line next to the word Monday.
___ The correct dates are written on the appropriate lines for the rest of the week.
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

32. Calendar Checklist (cont.)
___ The names of the class subjects are written on the lines along the left-side margin.
___ The class subjects are listed in the order that matches the student’s schedule.
___ Class assignments are recorded under the day of the week on which they are due.
___ Class assignments are written on the correct subject line.
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

33. Lesson 4: Desk and/or Locker Organization
Give an Advance Organizer
Introduce and describe how to organize a desk
Introduce and describe how to organize a locker
Give a Post Organizer
Follow-up
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

34. Instructions for Organizing Your Desk
1. Empty out your desk and put everything on top of it.
2. Sort through everything, and throw away trash.
3. File loose papers in your notebook behind the correct divider.
4. Put your pencils, pens, and other small items from your desk into your pencil box.
5. Put all of your books into one neat pile on top of your desk.
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

35. Instructions for Organizing Your Desk (cont.)
6. Put all of your folders and spiral notebooks into one neat pile on top of your desk.
7. Stack books neatly on one side of the shelf in your desk.
8. Place the pile of folders and all notebooks into your desk on the other side of the shelf.
9. Put your pencil box in front of the books inside your desk.
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

36. Instructions for Organizing Your Locker
1. Take everything out of your locker.
2. Throw out trash (for example, old lunches, wrappers, wadded-up paper).
3. Put all loose papers in the correct place inside your notebooks.
4. Put all your books with the corresponding class folder or notebook in a stack.
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

37. Instructions for Organizing Your Locker (cont.)
5. Arrange books/notebooks in order according to your daily class schedule. Put them on the shelf or on the floor of the locker.
6. Place the small container in front of the books on the shelf (or to the side of the books).
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

38. Instructions for Organizing Your Locker (cont.)
7. Hang your coat, sweater, or other clothes on the hook in the long part of the locker.
8. Place any large items on the bottom of the locker.
9. Take home anything that you no longer need at school.
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

39. Desk Checklist
___ All trash (gum wrappers, broken pencils, crumbled paper) has been thrown out.
___ All loose papers/assignments are filed behind the correct subject divider in your notebook.
___ Books are stacked neatly on top of each other inside the desk.
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

40. Desk Checklist (cont.)
___ Folders/notebooks are stacked neatly on top of each other inside the desk.
___ All small items (e.g., pens, glue sticks, markers) are in a small box.
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

41. Locker Checklist ___ All trash has been thrown out.
___ All loose papers are stored correctly in a notebook or folder.
___ Books and notebooks are arranged according to your daily class schedule and are on the shelf or the floor.
___ A box or container holds miscellaneous small objects.
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

42. Locker Checklist (cont.)
___ Coats are hung up (if a hook is available).
___ Large items (e.g., football gear, special projects) are on the floor of the locker.
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

43. Lesson 5: Backpack Organization
Give an Advance Organizer
Introduce and Describe
The benefits of an organized backpack
How to organize a backpack
How to maintain an organized backpack
Give a Post Organizer
Follow-up
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

44. Instructions for Organizing Your Backpack
1. Take everything out of your backpack and place it on your desk.
2. Throw away trash and things that you do not need.
3. Put small items into the small compartments of the backpack.
4. File all of the loose papers behind the correct subject dividers in your notebooks.
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

45. Instructions for Organizing Your Backpack (cont.)
5. Check your calendar to determine what books and papers you need to take home. Place all papers in the “Take Home” pocket in your notebook. Set aside the needed books.
6. Place your notebook in the large compartment of the backpack close to the straps.
7. Put the books that you need to take home in front of the notebook.
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

46. Backpack Checklist ___ All trash has been thrown away.
___ All loose papers have been filed behind the correct subject divider in your notebook.
___ Small items are grouped in a small compartment of the backpack (not rattling around in the large compartment).
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006

47. Backpack Checklist (cont.)
___ Books and notebooks needed for homework are placed neatly in the large compartment of the backpack, with the largest at the back.
___ Personal belongings (e.g., water bottle, cosmetics, lunch box) fit neatly next to school materials.
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 2006