This year, I am working on helping my 8th grader become more independent in planning his school schedule, however, he has two things working against him-his ADD and dyslexia.
The ADD part needs the organization, reminders, list, schedules, etc.  I am reading this book:

In the chapter “What Can I Do About it?” The Treatment of ADD, the author discusses structure as being key to the treatment. In fact he says “Structure is central in the treatment of ADD. ..Without structure, no matter how much talent there may be, there is only chaos”. S o what is structure?  Structure refers to essential tools like lists, reminders, notepads, appointment books etc. A set of EXTERNAL controls that one sets up to compensate for unreliable internal controls”
So we have a board that tells him what to do during each Work Period each day.

and I use a weekly planner with his specific weekly assignments.

I also added in the bottom a section for weekly goals. I wrote out semester goals for him and I needed a place to remind him but also myself on those goals.

This planner works pretty well with him. He still will say “what do I have to do?” and I will say “look at your planner”.  Lately, he has just been working along getting his work done without asking what’s next. So maybe, its finally helping.

I do have to say that right now I am the one inputting his assignments. I would like to transition into he deciding what he will do each day.

But baby steps.

Ligia