The Keatings wrote:
My 12 year old is getting poor grades in school because she doesn't turn in
her homework (class work and tests are fine). The homework organization has
been an issue since forever, and we've tried everything. Any suggestions?


My daughter is only in 3rd grade but it's also an issue. The school
provides each child with a planner and the child is suppose to write
down all his/her assignments as well as due dates. This is usually a
good tool but DD has spelling problems so it's difficult to decipher her
assignments. She also has a plain folder that has two sides: one marked
"keep at home" and the other marked "return to school". In theory, she
puts returned homework and tests in the "keep at home" half and homework
to be done in the "return to school" half. In practice, everything is
scrambled.

When she gets home, we immediately go through the folder, we sort
through the papers and put away graded homework and tests. What's left
is homework to be done. She has to do the homework right then. We've
found waiting means she forgets (and so do I).

Recently, we've set up an incentive system. If she completes her
homework and gets an acceptable grade on them (check or check plus), she
gets one point. If she forgets and gets "2nd notice" on them, one point
is deducted. She also gets points for test grades (one point for A or
B; minus one point for C; minus two points for D). She gets things she
wants with the points she accumulates.

The other thing we found that helps is she works on our kitchen table
that's been converted to a desk for her use alone. She must keep that
surface absolutely clean. No lunchbox. No backpack. No toys. No crafts.
Nothing except a pencil holder, school books, dictionary and a lamp.
This seems simple but it demands discipline (actually for the entire
family).

Obviously your child is older so you may not be so hands-on (I don't
know - I don't have a 7th grader). I'm hoping that by the time DD is in
7th grade, she'll only need gentle reminders (I have a feeling that may
not be the case).

Jeanne