Backpack Reset: Sorting Challenge and a Weekly System

SubstitutePlans.com
Study Skills and Advisory · Study Hall / Advisory / SEL
SP-STUDY-006 · Free to print and use in your classroom · substituteplans.com
Page 2
Backpack Reset: Sorting Challenge and a
Weekly System
Study Skills and Advisory · Study Hall / Advisory / SEL · Grades 6-9 · 50 minutes
Time needed
50 minutes (one class period)
Prep
Copy the 2-page worksheet (one per student). No other prep.
Technology
None.
Student
independence
High. Students work alone, then compare with a partner.
Copies to make
One 2-page worksheet per student
Materials
Pencils, Worksheet
Goal for today: Students will sort school items into categories and create a simple weekly routine for keeping
materials organized.
Before the bell
☐ Copy the worksheet, one per student (2 pages).
☐ Optional: write the four categories on the board: A = Do or turn in today. B = Keep in binder. C = File at
home. D = Recycle.
☐ Keep the answer key on your desk.
Say this to start
Good morning! Today you are going to organize a backpack, but it is a made-up one. Look at the items in the table and
decide where each one belongs. Then you will think about your own system for keeping track of papers. Your teacher
wants to see your thinking, so explain your answers.
Run of show
Minutes
What you do
What students do
0–5
Take attendance the way the school requires. Hand out the
worksheet.
Settle in and take out a pencil.
5–10
Read the four categories aloud (A through D). Ask: “Where
would you put a candy wrapper?” (D). Then have students
begin.
Listen and ask questions.
10–22
Tell students to sort the ten items in the table by writing a
letter A through D for each.
Write one letter per item.
22–32
Tell students to answer true/false questions 1 through 4
and the case study question 5.
Read, decide, and explain their thinking.
32–44
Tell students to design their own ten-minute weekly reset
in questions 6 and 7.
Write a short routine with steps and a day.
44–50
Read the sorting answers aloud from the key. Students
check their work. Collect all worksheets.
Check and hand in the worksheet.

SubstitutePlans.com
Study Skills and Advisory · Study Hall / Advisory / SEL
SP-STUDY-006 · Free to print and use in your classroom · substituteplans.com
Page 3
If things go wrong
• If students argue about where an item goes, tell them to explain their reasoning. Some items have more than
one reasonable answer. The key notes show which ones.
• If a student says they do not use a binder, say they can use any system, such as folders or an accordion file.
• If students are done early, use the early finishers.
• If anyone wants to clean out their real backpack, allow it quietly after they finish the worksheet.
Early finishers
• Draw a quick map of how you would label the sections in a binder for four classes.
• List five items you should always keep in your backpack and one you should never leave in it.
Support and challenge
• Support: Tell students to sort only items 1 through 6 first, then finish the rest.
• Challenge: Ask students to write a short rule for deciding when to keep a paper and when to recycle it.
Notes for the teacher (you fill this in)
Jot a few lines before you leave. A full Daily Sub Report is in the free Sub Survival Kit at SubstitutePlans.com.
How far the class got / what to pick up next:
Students who were especially helpful:
Anything the teacher should know: