Lists and Kids

You’re Never Too Young to Start!
For many of us, our first list was created for jolly old St. Nick! I remember sitting with my brother and my mother on the couch and looking intently through the Sears Catalog- writing my list of toys- it was so exciting!
When I was very young my mother would write my list for me, as I grew older I would carefully print each toy on my list, not too many – but not too few! I'm not sure many kids still look through catalogs - but I am sure they all still make a list!

Spelling lists were also part of my childhood lists. Every Monday I would write down the week's list of words to take home and study for the big test on Friday. It was like clockwork, you never wanted to forget your list! When you did leave the spelling list at school, panic would set in- much the same as it does when you forget your grocery list today!

I have a friend, Jeff, who remembers his paper route list as his first real list. He learned early the importance of keeping a list of who paid and who didn’t!

Today’s kids have a faster life...they need lists to keep track of their school schedules, after school activities and social events. Lists are now one of the first things they learn in school, planners (another name for lists) begin in some schools as early as the first grade!

Jack keeps a computer list of his favorite Internet sites and a list of books he has read that are part of a series. This book list includes the number of pages for each book, which adds increase value to the book and the list!

Andre’ keeps track of daily homework assignments with a list, it must work as he is a very good student!

Tracey, a college student, keeps track of novels she wants to read and movies she wants to see, while Abigail keeps track of who has borrowed her CDs.

Karen’s niece has a Life List. She has listed colleges she hopes to attend, attributes her husband will have, and possible career options.

Alex a high school senior says ‘Real men don’t keep lists’! I can’t wait until he has a wife .. I have a feeling he will have a really long ‘Honey Do’ list!

The moral of the story … if its important to kids…they use a list!

Holiday Lists

Listly Holidays


Tis the season to be listly…oh what a wonderful time of year! Like most people, I love the holidays and everything about them: greeting cards, decorations, gifts, gatherings and shopping.

During this season some people make cookies or fruitcake, other people make homemade gifts for their loved ones, but I make lists. Not just one list, but lots of lists! I know I’m not the only one who becomes a Master Lister at this time of year, I bet you do too.

I can’t imagine how anyone could possible get through the holidays without a list, I don’t care who you are or what you do, I believe it would be impossible not to use a list. Santa has his lists ... and he checks it twice, he’s such a good role model!

My friend Emily insists she and her husband Pete are the ‘King and Queen of Holiday Lists’. Since 1980 Emily and Pete have used a book to track what they have given to whom with catalog snips and order dates as well as what they received wand includes check marks for thank you notes sent.

Jan does not even wait until the current holiday season ends before she starts on her next year list; she has a never-ending list.

One year Sandy discovered just how important her gift list is to her. The list, which includes present ideas for all her friends and family, also includes a column for completed purchases. On Christmas Eve Sandy was finished with most of her shopping but needed to pick up a couple of last minute gifts for her children. Walking through the store she saw the perfect gift for her sister Nicole. Too bad she had already bought her gift, but what was it? Sandy couldn’t remember so she pulled out her list and couldn’t believe it – she had forgotten to put her own sister on her list. You can imagine how embarrassing it might have been had Sandy not referenced her list and then purchased a gift. The added bonus for Nicole was, she actually got a better gift than she might have received had Sandy not forgotten her!

Christine’s holiday shopping list includes gift ideas and dollars budgeted. She also lists what she receives and compares the two lists to see if she needs to increase or decrease her budget for each person.

From children to Santa to moms everywhere, Christmas is the time for lists!

Vocabulary for People Who Make Lists

Listionary
Vocabulary for Listers

Listers often speak their own language, to become a Master Lister you need to add these words to your vocabulary.

Automobilist- someone who writes their list in an automobile

Blister – what you get if you write a long list

Capitalist – A LIST WRITTEN IN ALL CAPITALS

Finalist – the last list

Fundamentalist- a list that only contains the fundamentals

Idealist – a list of ideas

Individualist- a list created by one individual

Internationalist- a list written in several languages

Journalist – a person who keeps their list in a book or journal
List – a series of words written, printer or imagined

Listen- what you do with an oral list

Listing –writing down a list

Listphobia- the fear of losing your list

Lister – not a plow but a person who makes lists

Listless – a person who does not have a list

Listly – love plus list equals listly

Naturalist- a list written out in nature

Master Lister- a lister who has taken listing to a higher level

Materialist- a list made out of cloth

Realist – not a fake list but a real list

Simplistic – a simple list

Specialist – a list of special things

Unlisted- not on the list

Lists in History

Lists in History

I don’t know about you, but it seems I have been writing lists for years. We’re not the only ones; lists have been around forever!

In my opinion, the ‘First List’ and perhaps the most important list ever made was the list Moses made called “The Ten Commandments”. Moses made this list in stone; he certainly did not want to risk losing his list!

The Ten commandments

1.I am the Lord your God…
2.You Shall Not Make Grave Images
3.Do Not Take God’s Name in Vain
4.Keep holy the Lord’s Day
5.Honor your Father and Mother
6.Do Not Kill
7.Do Not Commit Adultery
8.Do Not Steal
9.Do Not Lie
10.Honor Your Neighbors Goods

From Hamlet to Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare used the word list 108 times in his writing; he obviously thought lists were important!

Friedrich List is the most famous person named List. List was a German economist who lived 1789-1846 and was an advocate for economic protection for young industries and nations. I would be very interested in seeing List’s lists.

Many people actively research their family history and lists can help. The passenger list from the Mayflower has often been used for Americans to trace their ancestors; you can also check your ancestors through the list at Ellis Island.

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, also known as the Bill of Rights is an important list that everyone should be familiar to all Americans.

1.Freedom of religion
2.The right to bear arms
3.No soldier hall be quartered in any house
4.No unreasonable searches of home or property
5.Due process of law
6The right to a speedy and public trial
7.The right of trial by jury
8.No cruel and unusual punishments
9.Enumeration in the Constitution
10.The powers of the States

That’s a pretty impressive list!

Think of Abe Lincoln who wrote his list on a slate with chalk. It must have been frustrating when he needed the slate for something else before he was able to complete the items on his list.
Of course the list goes on!

Creative Checking Methods

Not only do people use different methods for writing lists, they also use different styles for marking off completed items on a list.

I use the check method.
Others use an X.
There is always the strike though style.
The double strike through.
Or you can highlight your list.


If you use a sticky note, first you wad it up, and then you throw it out!

Computer lists are easy…just hit delete.

For audio lists you simply erase!

But my favorite it for those of you who write on your hand or arm or other body part…just wash!

Marking items completed on your list is always fun and great satisfaction.

Creative Lists

One of the great things about being a ’Lister’ (a person who makes lists) is there is no right or wrong method for listing. Spelling doesn’t matter, whether you use numbers, or dashes or letters of the alphabet its entirely up to you. A person can be as creative and individualist as they desire and it is amazing the different methods and styles people use to create their lists. Here are some examples you might like to try:

Recycling by using the back of an old envelop or grocery receipt to write your list is a favorite of mine and environmentally correct, although perhaps not as organized as other methods.

Jenny begins each New Year with a blank book that she carries with her at all times. Some advantages to using a book or journal might be:
1. You’re less likely to lose it
2. You can reference old lists
3. Rewriting carry-over items to a new list isn’t necessary
Another style of listing that is difficult to lose is writing your list on your hand or arm. Young people often use this method, but I found it helps if your list is short or your arm is long.

Many people use sticky notes writing just one or two items on a note. I’ve seen hundreds sticking to dashboards, workstations and computers. Personally I think these lists would be easy to lose, but some people love this method and there is no right or wrong!

Pam and Betty both love sticky notes for their lists. Pam finds the neon colored ones work best for her. She sticks her list eye level on her back door so she won’t leave home without it. Betty uses the same method; only she sticks her list on her purse.

Stationary companies have designed paper specifically for list making. Some styles include a magnet to attach the pad to your refrigerator, and others have a pen attached by a string…you never have to be without your listing tools! This year my Christmas cards came with a prepared sheet for listing the people I sent cards and a checklist for noting if I received a card from them, these companies sure make listing easy.

Computer advocates often store their lists on the computer and just print their lists as needed, easy to edit and easy to use. Try some of the templates I’ve included in the final section of this book to see if this method might work well for you.

At work I keep a spiral notebook for my lists, other people use a planner, some use the ‘to do’ list on email and others use pocket computers. Harriette uses a pocket computer, but confesses it’s still easier for her to simply write her list using a pen and paper.

Maureen, a high school principal, has assistants who keep a team list on a large white board so everyone can keep track of the team list and the progress they are making. Certainly a good morale booster for the team when they get to check items off together.

An index card is a popular method for listing and often preferred by men. Sturdy, simple and it fits in your shirt pocket. Bruce always has several index cards in his pocket clipped together with a binder clip. One of his cards is for list of things to do today, another card lists long-term projects and family birthdays and events have their own card too.

Some people have changed from a written list to an audio list. Mary Jo has a voice recorder built into her car that she uses for making lists as she drives. People who prefer the oral method often carry mini- recorders to record their lists or when it is difficult to write things down.

Voicemail and phone answering machines are another audio form used for listing. When I’m at work I leave list messages at home, and when I’m at home I leave list messages at work that way if I forget my list I can just listen to it when I need it.

Some people like to share lists, I really don’t mind sharing someone else’s list, but I really don’t want any one to share my list…unless of course they plan to check items off the list!

Some people use a visual list to help them fall asleep at night . Instead of couting sheep, they go through there next day's list.

It doesn’t matter what method you use for listing, what matters is that your method works for you!