Homework Tips: Organization Systems That Stick

“Her backpack is a black hole. We buy new supplies every few weeks because everything just disappears…” 

We’re well into the school year now, and things might be looking chaotic in your student’s binder, backpack, desk, or locker. Many parents and teachers don’t realize organization skills are not innate, they must be explicitly taught. 

Students with executive function challenges or weak working memory often struggle with organization because their brains are already working overtime just to manage daily tasks. When materials are disorganized, it adds even more cognitive burden to an already overwhelmed system. 

Understanding Cognitive Load Theory

Think of working memory as your mental workspace. It can only hold so much information at once. When students have to search for missing materials, remember where they put things, or figure out which folder belongs to which class, they’re using precious mental energy that should be focused on learning. 

For students with weak working memory:

• Disorganization creates constant mental distractions

• Time spent searching for materials reduces time for actual work

• Chaos increases anxiety and feelings of being overwhelmed

• Academic performance suffers even when they understand the content

Creating reliable organization systems reduces this cognitive load, freeing up mental space for what really matters: learning and thinking. 

Strategy 1: Remember your HOME's

Why this works: The HOME system (Has a spot, Organized by use, Maintained in shape, Easy to see) creates clear, memorable guidelines for where everything belongs, reducing decision fatigue and mental load.

The procedure:

1. Choose one specific space to organize (start small - maybe just their backpack)

2. Collect everything into one pile

3. Sort into categories (by subject, assignment type, or frequency of use)

4. Assign each item a HOME

For example, your student's laptop:

• Has a spot: Inside the laptop pocket of their backpack

• Organized by use: Inside its case with the zipper facing up for quick access

• Maintained in shape: Turned off and fully charged

• Easy to see: Always in the same visible pocket

For homework folders:

• Has a spot: In the front section of their binder

• Organized by use: Current assignments in front, completed work in back

• Maintained in shape: Papers hole-punched and properly inserted (no loose papers!)

• Easy to see: Labeled clearly on the tab

💡 Pro Tip: Once everything is organized with a HOME, take a picture of the space. Print the picture and hang it directly above the space. That way your student can refer to the picture whenever the space needs a reset.

Why it's powerful: Being this specific eliminates guesswork. Your child doesn't have to make decisions in the moment—they just follow their established system. The more automatic these habits become, the less mental energy organization requires.

Strategy 2: Digital File Organization

Why this works: Digital organization follows the same PPC principles as physical organization, but requires different strategies since files can be copied, moved, and renamed easily.

The procedure:

1. Choose ONE central location for all school files (Google Drive, desktop folder, or cloud service)

2. Create a standard folder structure:

   • "Class Name" → "Unit # + Title" → "Specific Document"

3. Apply PPCs to digital files:

Example: Biology study guide for water cycle unit

• Proper Place: Google Drive

• Proper Position: Biology folder → "Unit 4 Water Cycle" subfolder

• Proper Condition: Named "Unit 4 Study Guide - Water Cycle"

Additional digital organization tips:

• Use consistent naming conventions (always include unit/chapter numbers)

• Delete draft versions once final is complete

• Keep desktop clean—everything gets filed in the main system

• Bookmark important school websites in a "School" bookmark folder

Why it's powerful: Digital organization eliminates the "I know I saved it somewhere" frustration. When everything follows the same system, finding files becomes automatic. This is especially important as students move into higher grades where digital work increases.

Strategy 3: Strategic Color Coding

Why this works: Color coding reduces cognitive load by creating instant visual recognition—your child's brain doesn't have to read and process text to identify categories.

The procedure:

1. Assign one color per subject:

   • Math = Blue

   • English = Red

   • Science = Green

   • History = Yellow

2. Apply consistently across all materials:

   • Folders, binders, highlighters

   • Digital calendar entries

   • Notebook covers or dividers

3. Extend to planning systems:

   • Use subject colors for assignment due dates

   • Color-code priority levels (red = urgent, yellow = important, green = can wait)

💡 Pro tips:

• Let your child choose the color assignments (increases buy-in)

• Keep it simple—too many colors become confusing

• Use the same system year after year for consistency

• Take photos of the color system and post in study spaces

Why it's powerful: Visual systems work faster than text-based systems. Your child can grab the right materials or identify urgent deadlines at a glance, reducing mental processing time and errors.

Strategy 4: Weekly Declutter Sessions

Why this works: Organization is not a “one-and-done” task. It’s an ongoing process that needs regular maintenance, especially for students with executive function challenges. 

The procedure:

1. Pick a consistent day and time (Sunday evenings work well)

2. Set a timer for 15-20 minutes (keep it manageable)

3. Go through each organizaed space and ensure items follow their PPCs

4. Adress any new items by assigning them a PPC

5. Throw away or file anything that’s no longer needed

Make it routine:

• Same day each week (builds the habit)

• Same order every time (backpack, then desk, then digital files)

• Celebrate what’s working well

• Adjust PPCs if they’re not being followed (maybe they need tweaking)

Why it’s powerful: Regular maintenance prevents the overwhelming “everything is chaos” moments. Small, consistent effort is much more manageable than periodic major overhauls. It also teaches your child that organization is a skill that requires ongoing attention, not perfection. 

Strategy 5: The Launch Pad System

Why this works: Having a designated space for "tomorrow's necessities" eliminates morning scrambling and forgotten items.

The procedure:

1. Designate a specific spot near your exit door (table, basket, or shelf)

2. Every evening, place tomorrow's needs there:

   • Packed backpack

   • Lunch/lunch money

   • Permission slips to return

   • Library books

   • Sports equipment

3. Make it part of the bedtime routine

4. Keep it clear during the day—only for next-day items

Why it's powerful: This system moves organization decisions to the evening when your child is less rushed and more capable of thinking clearly. Mornings become smoother, and forgotten items become rare.

Your Action Plan

Don't try to implement everything at once! Choose ONE strategy to focus on this week:

1. If backpack/materials are chaotic: Start with Strategy 1 (PPCs) for just the backpack

2. If organization never lasts: Implement Strategy 2 (Weekly Declutter Sessions)

3. If digital files are a mess: Focus on Strategy 3 (Digital Organization)

4. If your child is visual: Try Strategy 4 (Color Coding) for physical materials

5. If mornings are stressful: Set up Strategy 5 (Launch Pad System)

💡Give your chosen strategy at least two weeks to become habit before adding another one.