It’s Back to School time! I’m trying to think of ways to keep organized for this school year. I’ve made these charts so the kids can see, and check off, the things they need to do each day. My Grade 2 son has only writing on his, but my 3-year-old daughter has writing and pictures to help her figure out what she’s checking off. (For another great parenting craft/tool check out our Harry Potter House Points)

Supplies:

• Cookie Sheet (I got mine at Dollarama)
• Tape
• Cutter or Scissors
• 12×12 Paper
• Magnets
• Markers
• Ruler (optional)

Instructions

1. Trim the paper to fit the cookie sheet. *Tip: when things need to be roughly measured I dig my nail into where I need to cut. Then I don’t need to bother using a ruler. The cutter ensures that the cut is straight.
   

   
2.  Cut more of the same paper to make the top of the cookie sheet. This is where the child’s name will go. 
3. Tape both pieces to the cookie sheet.
4. Time to write! What things do you want your child to accomplish in a day? Line these things up in a column on the left hand side of the page. We are homeschooling this year for the first time so I wanted a way to show the kids how many things they need to accomplish every day, and give them an idea of how much is left. When they complete their chart they get to watch a show. 
5.  On the right hand side, right below the name write: “To Do” and “Done.” Make sure that there’s enough room for your magnets on the far right side of the cookie sheet.
6. Draw a line between “To Do” and “Done” that reaches all the way to the bottom of the page. Remember, I didn’t bother to get my ruler, so I just used a piece of cardstock to draw the line.  I placed my magnet on the sheet to be sure there was room for it.
7.  Place the magnets in the left hand column. When the child completes the task the magnet gets slidden (slidden? Is that a word?)- the magnet gets moved into the “Done” column. 

We’ve used this chart for two days now, and both days the whole chart was completed by 2:30 in the afternoon! I am so proud of my little kids! They really know how to work hard (when there’s a bribe anyway!).  But seriously, this chart has made things run so much more smoothly. Everyone is happier to do their work. Let’s hope it lasts!