School Checklist

Today was the first day of school for my kids. This school year, as always, I pledge to be more organized. Really I do! I came across this great idea at Family Fun Magazine online and thought I would share. Even though my children are older, this fantastic idea could be tailored for almost any age…I think I want to make one for myself! Table your constant stream of morning reminders with this clever place mat, which allows kids to take responsibility for their own must-dos.

CRAFT MATERIALS:
Decorative paper
Scissors
Glue stick
18- by 12-inch sheet of poster board
Markers
Clear Con-Tact paper (or have it laminated at a copy shop)
Nontoxic dry-erase marker
Adhesive-backed Velcro dot

Time needed: Under 1 Hour

1. Cut three 6- by 12-inch rectangles from decorative paper. Use a glue stick to affix them side by side onto the poster board.

2. Write a "Do at Home" checklist on the left rectangle and a "Take to School" checklist on the right one (leave a few blank spaces at the bottom of each list for write-in reminders).

3. Have the place mat laminated at a copy shop or cover it with clear Con-Tact paper. Your child can use a nontoxic dry-erase marker to check off items or write additional reminders. Affix an adhesive-backed Velcro dot to keep the marker in a handy spot on the mat.

Happy school year!