Middle school is a time when children feel a bit more independent than prior years. While they desire freedom, they need guidance. For many students, middle school is the time when they choose the type of adult they become. With direction, hopefully they will build a solid foundation for the future.
Listed below are a few suggestions that have proven to be successful for many students in the past. These recommendations are not unique to an individual class.
-1- Check your child’s Google Classrooms/ calendar (or planner) EVERY day.
Many teachers assign work in their Google Classroom. Spend a few minutes with your child to check in on the assignment status and clarify with teachers if somehting is unclear.
-2- Check your child’s supplies on a weekly basis.
Many of our students come to school without the basic school supplies needed for academic success. Expect that your child will need pencils, notebook paper, and something with which to color. It is also recommended that you check to be sure that your child has his/ her textbook(s).
-3- Help your child organize their binder/ Google Drive.
Students frequently complain that they have completed assignments, but cannot find them when needed. Organized binders help students learn by having required assignments and materials in expected locations.
-4- Encourage your child to check his/ her grades on a frequent basis.
Grades are frequently posted on a weekly basis. Have your child check these grades and report them back to you. If you desire an individual class progress report, please have your child request one from the teacher. All students and parents who request can have access to Skyward which not onloy provides real time gradebook access but also information for other aspects of the student account such as profile and bill paying.
-5- Encourage your child to show you all of his/ her completed assignments.
Assignments are not collected on the day that they are assigned. They are usually due for review on the following day. Instead of asking if your child has finished his/ her homework, ask to see the completed assignments.
-6- Encourage your child to attend activities outside the regular school day.
Most years, the school provides before or after school programs to aid students with academics. Clubs, sports, and mucial activities are also provided. If your child needs extra help they can arrange times to get the needed support.
-7- Establish a daily study time at home.
Make an expectation that your child study for a period of time on a daily basis, in a location where he/ she can be monitored. If your child claims to not have homework, he/ she can study or read for the predetermined length of time. Even if teachers do not directly assign work, there is always something throughout the day that can be reviewed. One of the AVID strategies that is encouraged is that students not only take notes in class but that they also review them on their own outside of school.
-8- Be consistent and organized.
While it can be very difficult and sometimes frustrating, middle school students need consistency and organization in order to develop appropriately.
-9- Verify and clarify unclear information.
If your child tells you something that does not seem to make sense, please make contact with the person involved to clarify the situation, as soon as possible, so everyone is on the same page.
-10- Prepare school supplies the night before.
In many households, mornings are hectic. If backpacks, binders, and school materials are prepared and placed by the door the night before, there will be less of a chance for students to come to school unprepared.