Schoolwork coming home in balls - organising a 9 year old?

[BWatchWatcher]

Hi folks,
DS1 is 9. He gets a lot of school work. The majority returns home in balls or scrap pieces of paper.
I have tried hard folders, soft folders, plastic envelopes with poppers. Recently we got him a two ring binder, we also got a hole punch as the teacher doesn't have a class hole punch. The hole puncher was destroyed at the bottom of his bag in a week.
I despair.
The only thing I can think of is a hard backed zippered folder, but they only come in plain black as executive type objects.
How do you organise your 9 year olds?
Thanks!

How are so so many things being destroyed.

Is this your DS sabotaging?

Use the ring binder but make a hole at home if the hole puncher gets destroyed in the bag? As long as papers are inside binder, it shouldn't get destroyed.
My ds use zipped pockets, and sometimes it gets a bit creased, but never gets destroyed.
Is the bag big enough?

I don't think he is sabotaging, just disorganised. At least I hope not.
By the times items come home they are already squashed.
Part of the problem is the bag is his own library and contains 3 books along with pokemon cards and school books. Books are reading book for school, school library book and Harry Potter book he is reading for pleasure.
He shoves the loose piece of paper in and then stuff goes on top.
Gahh

Bag with two different compartments?

Use something like one of these?

www.amazon.co.uk/Bag-Organisers/b?ie=UTF8&node=2732108031

Get a bag with compartements for paperwork.

We nearly got DD this one when we looked for a replacement of her first bag when we realised that one big compartment is useless.

www.amazon.co.uk/Jack-Wolfskin-Schoolbags-Backpack-Compartment/dp/B0187463I8

You get them cheaper elsewhere but this one has a picture of the inside.

It will only get worse not better in secondary school.

Is there a "consequence" for him letting his homework get into that state? Are they worksheets that he has to complete? Are they just instructions which are disposed of anyway?

If they're worksheets then, make him write the whole sheet out. He can't possibly submit such a mess.
Don't spring this on him. Forewarn him.

"DS, your homework and book bag is an utter state. It's embarrassing and you need to take responsibility for your work because it's getting worse. I have tried my best to help you but nothing i have offered has made a difference and I think this is because you don't think about what you are doing in your bag. So. What would you like. (Reiterate all the options you've provided him with before, don't throw more money away!)
From Monday, if work comes home looking as bad as XYZ (cite example) then I am going to expect you to rewrite the sheet/page as well as doing your normal homework."

Be strict
Follow through
Every time something comes home that he needs to rewrite because it's screwed up have a supportive conversation about how he thinks it happened, how you can help him to prevent it happening again.
I bet that it will really help to focus his mind.

I'm assuming that he has a backpack but what about returning to a book bag?

A plastic envelope with popper should be entirely suitable.
Your problem is he isn't bothered enough to take care.

What does he really care about? TV, minecraft, pocket money, football?
I think you may need to tie in using the plastic wallet with rewards and consequences.

Have you shown him how to pack his bag properly? My 9 year old DS carries exactly the same things around as yours, sometimes including a flute and lunchbox as well. We've had to practice taking everything out and the best way to put it in as he can't see that himself, I think his spatial awareness isn't great. If it's a tight fit then there's no chance. Allocating specific pockets for things helps - yugioh cards in here, bottle in here, homework in pocket at back etc. obvious to me but not to him it seems!