Module Eight
Organization: Environment
Goal: Students will understand the importance of organization in their environment and develop effective strategies to maintain an organized space.
Essential Questions:
- Why is it important to have an organized environment?
- What are some effective strategies for organizing your surroundings?
- How can organizational skills impact productivity and well-being?
Students will be able to:
- Identify the benefits of having an organized environment.
- Explore different organization strategies for their personal space.
- Apply organization techniques to create a more orderly environment.
- Reflect on the impact of organization on their productivity and well-being.
Assessment Evidence:
- Performance Tasks:
- Write reflective essays or journal entries on how organizing has impacted their productivity and well-being.
- Create personalized organization plans outlining strategies for maintaining an organized environment.
- Other evidence:
- Observations during class activities and discussions.
- Evaluate student spaces based on criteria of what is considered clean and organized.
*Note: The clean and organized criteria can be determined as a class or by the teacher. A template of criteria for clean and organized spaces can be found in the Module Eight Slideshow/PDF.
Resources and Materials:
- Module Eight Slideshow/PDF
- Whiteboard and markers
- Post-it notes or index cards
- Pictures or videos showcasing organized and disorganized spaces
- Examples of organization tools (e.g., storage bins, labels)
- Worksheets or graphic organizers for planning
Part One: Understanding the Importance of Organization
Objective: Students will understand how an environment can impact behavior, mental health, and productivity.
- Begin by discussing the concept of organization. Then, show pictures or videos of both organized and cluttered spaces and ask students to identify differences and their impacts. Examples are available in the Module Eight Slideshow/PDF.
- Brainstorm reasons why having an organized environment is important. Create a class list on the whiteboard.
- Use the Module Eight Slideshow/PDF to introduce the concept of productivity and well-being in relation to organization. Discuss how clutter can affect mental clarity and stress levels.
- Have students share personal experiences related to organization, both positive and negative. Encourage discussion on how organization (or lack thereof) has affected their daily lives.
- Wrap up with a reflection activity in which students write down one thing they would like to improve in their own environment and why it’s important to them.
- Resume regular classroom procedures.
Part Two: Exploring Organization Strategies
Objective: Students will know organization strategies and effective ways to implement them.
- Use the Module Eight Slideshow/PDF to introduce various organization strategies, such as decluttering, labeling, creating designated spaces, and using storage solutions. Provide examples and visuals for each strategy.
- Discuss the pros and cons of different organization methods and how they can be applied in different environments (e.g., bedroom, study area, locker).
- Have students complete a worksheet or graphic organizer where they list different organization strategies and brainstorm how they could implement them in their own space.
- Resume regular classroom procedures.
Part Three: Space Redesign – Applying Organization Techniques
Objective: Students will create an organized environment in a chosen space.
- Review the organization strategies previously covered.
- Provide time for students to apply the organization techniques to their own environment. This could include cleaning and decluttering personal spaces (e.g., desks, bins, lockers, bags, binders)
- Circulate around the room and provide guidance and support as needed. Encourage students to ask questions and share their progress with their peers.
- Have students reflect on their experience applying organization techniques. What challenges did they face? What strategies were most effective for them?
- Resume regular classroom procedures.
Part Four: Reflecting on the Impact of Organization
Objective: Students will recognize how organizational practices impact them. Students will create an organizational action plan.
- Start with a brief discussion on the organizational progress students have made.
- Have students share their reflections on how past organization habits (or lack thereof) have impacted their productivity and well-being. Discuss any noticeable changes they’ve observed.
- Guide students in identifying areas for continued improvement in their organizational habits. Encourage them to set specific goals for maintaining an organized environment.
- Provide time for students to create a personalized organization plan. This could include setting up a weekly cleaning schedule or establishing a system for managing belongings.
- Have students share their organization plans with a partner or small group. Provide feedback and suggestions for refinement.
- Resume regular classroom procedures.
Part Five: Organizational Toolkit Creation and Digital Organization*
Objective: Students will know strategies and approaches to digital organization and create an organizational toolkit.
- Use the Module Eight Slideshow/PDF to guide students in creating personalized organizational toolkits for different aspects of their lives (e.g., school, hobbies, daily routines).
- Have students explain how they plan to use each item in their toolkit to stay organized and on track.
- Teach students about digital organization tools such as folders, tags, and naming conventions for files.
- If available, have students organize their digital files (e.g., documents, presentations, photos) using the tools and strategies learned.
- Discuss the benefits of digital organization for productivity and accessibility.
- Have students reflect on how physical and digital organization can be maintained through systems and daily habits.
- Resume regular classroom procedures.
*Note: Some classrooms and learning spaces will not have digital tools available; however, with the prevalence of technology in students’ daily lives, it may be beneficial to address digital organization.
