Tools for success

Tuesday was not only the kickoff of the school year, but also the

implementation of a new program at Thurston Middle School called the

Organizational Wheel.

The 18-week program is specifically designed for sixth-grade

students. Pupils work in six-week blocks, learning computer basics,

organized notebook study and life skills, including self-esteem.

Teachers Jason Babiar, Andy Crisp and Leslie Maus are each

teaching a different component.

“I’ll be teaching organizational skills, focusing on one of the

most important things -- trying to get organized,” Babiar said.

He explained to the class that he will help them learn how to keep

their binders and planners organized, how to take notes and how to

get ready to take tests.

“The biggest adjustment for a sixth grader is to know how to keep

organized,” Babiar said. “If you’re not organized, it will be a

challenge.”

Time management is also on the agenda.

“I’m regimented. I like a schedule, a routine to do a certain

thing at a certain time each day,” Babiar told the students. “I would

like you to find a good time and place to do your homework. It will

give you a big jump-start for sixth grade.”

For taking notes, they will learn what is important to write down,

as well as strategies for taking both essay and multiple-choice

tests.

Crisp is in charge of teaching computer skills.

“The student planner is a very important tool; it will help you

stay organized,” Crisp said during the class. “My component is more

of a computer component. You’ll be learning Microsoft Word, how to

write poems, documents and business letters.”

He told the class they would be learning how to create a

PowerPoint presentation. “You’ll learn Excel, how to do

spreadsheets,” Crisp said. “You’ll learn how to use the library for

much more advanced research, how to find books and look at the

Internet from more of a research standpoint.”

He said the class would also learn how to be master typists.

“We’ll being doing fun projects every day for the first four

weeks.”

Maus said part of what she will be teaching is successful

strategies, as well as dealing with conflict.

“At the beginning of class, we had a quiet activity; they filled

out information,” Maus said. “We toured around the school so they

would know where important places are that they will need to find.”

Maus said they would extensively work on the four keys to success:

persistence, getting along, organization and confidence.

“They’ll learn a little bit about their learning style as an

individual, how the brain works,” Maus said.

Students met in groups. The first assignment was to get to know

the other group members.

“Ask good questions, something you would like to know -- such as

where they grew up, about their favorite pet or find out if they

speak another language, for example,” Maus said.

Tyler Vandenbergh, 12, said he thinks the class will be helpful.

“I’ll get tips on how to take tests and time management,” Tyler

said. “I want to be more organized; it will help so I won’t get mixed

up in class.”