Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Homework suggestions...

Hello-
My 9yodd (hg) is about as scatterbrained as you can get... She's the creative reader/writer, head in the clouds type. She has always had issues with organization, but this year it seems to have hit an all-time high. She forgets or loses her books and homework on average 2-3 times per week. It never makes it home. I've tried not "rescuing" her. Then I thought she was doing it on purpose to avoid doing the homework, so we started getting it and punishing her. I've tried assignment books, cleaning the desk, etc., all to no avail. Our latest tactic is a homework contract that is tied to tv and computer time.

NOTHING seems to be solving this problem.

Does anyone have any suggestions that have worked for you?

She is currently in a gifted pullout program and accelerated 1 yr. in Math and LA. Homework is definitely closer to her level, but still not particularly difficult for her. And, she's managing to still have A's and B's, in spite of her lack of responsibility. My big concern is establishing some better habits. There will eventually come a time that this bites her in the rear!

Thanks for any suggestions!
Julie

Silly idea but have you tried something like sillybands: you could put one color for each subject on her left wrist and she could move it to her right wrist daily once that subject's homework is in her backpack or she's sure there's no homework in that subject.

Good idea Tex... We'll try that one. I've tried pinning something to her backpack. Maybe something on her body would help!

You might want to read "Smart but Scattered" and "Late Lost, and Unprepared".

They have a lot of great information on teaching organizational skills and improving executive functioning, with information on how to identify exactly what steps in the process are problematic, and how to intervene appropriately.

Thanks for the book suggestions! My DD10 also has a school desk (and bedroom) that looks like a dump and unfortunately her teacher thinks that it's a reflection of her brain - argh! I've ordered the books and hope they have lots of useful suggestions... jojo

jojo, your post reminds me of this cartoon on the Visual-spatial site.

http://www.visualspatial.org/vslasl.php

So, yes, her desk may possibly be a reflection of her brain. But certainly not in the way her teacher means!

This is how my office looks right now. I can't find anything.

Of course, my organizational skills are at low average to borderline.

Yup. I'm visual-spatial. In fact, I used to be a cartographer. My undergraduate GPA was just under 2.5, while my GPA in grad school was 4.0, so I guess you could say I'm a late bloomer, too.

And as far as attention to detail goes, I just discovered that the license tag on my car expired...last year.

Thank you for the book suggestions. My little gal is definitely visual/spacial. I have heard of "Smart but Scattered" before, so I think I'll check that one out first.

DD gets gifted services for Math and LA. Only four kids in her grade get both, then there are more kids that get one or the other. You know what's funny, the GT teacher pointed out to me that all of her gifted language arts kids are just like Megan, messy and all over the place. The kids who are pulled out for only Math are the neatest, most organized kids ever...

My son was the same. Definitely doesn't have any organizing skills at all and with adhd it was really worse. His homework lay forgotten and not submitted on time. I didn't know at first but I intervened when I couldn't tolerate it anymore. I help in organizing his room because this somehow easier for him do his homework better. I help check his things every night before bed and put in is school bag ready for the next day. We made this a routine and I kinda have seen changes and hopefully this continues.