In the Groove

If your middle schooler has attended CHESS before, they may have have a good routine going - or they may still need some guidance in navigating their classes, organizing homework, and developing good time management skills. Both are normal! 

If your child is just starting at CHESS, they may feel a little overwhelmed at the university-style structure, and it may take a few weeks to get the hang of things. Here are some tips to make the transition a smooth one:

Tips for parents

• Be familiar with class syallbi.

• Remain aware  of their schedule, routines, and assignments.

• Check in at least once a week to be sure they have a handle on time management. If not, check in on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to assist with scheduling. 

Questions We're Asking!

adapted from Strategies That Work, 3rd Ed. by Stephanie Harvey and Anne Goudvis.

What do you see?

What do you notice?

What do you wonder?

What does this look or sound like? 

What does this remind you of?

What makes you think that?

How do you know?

What makes you think that? 

Where did you hear/see/read that?

Where is the evidence for that?

Who might have another idea?

Where is that evidence for that idea?

How could you explain difference interpretations?

And now we're starting to ask...

What is the author trying to prove?

What kind of proof does the author use?

Does the author adequately defend the argument?'

Special Projects

Textbooks

Some parents want to purchase a second set of textbooks to keep at home so that students don't have to carry their books back and forth from school. This is OPTIONAL, and many other parents find this is unnecessary. Please note the correct editions. 

7th Grade - https://docs.google.com/document/d/16QtYc4whuuvXQRNfrrc4GPIPSP16v7kr3G7sMkcDEjo/edit?usp=sharing

8th Grade - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ckSK8cDBW60RzgfAgvVJUfw7yzJ9Ty_kccFb2ml0VuE/edit?usp=sharing