ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Easing the Transition to Middle School

Fall: a time where nights get cooler, leaves start to change, and for some, entering middle school for the first time.  Starting middle school, especially in sixth grade, can be very daunting for students and parents alike.  As students start the new school year, there are some things that you as parents can do to support them and ease the transition between elementary school to middle school.

Middle school is a time where the social aspect of school is very important to your child, especially being part of a peer group.  With the large number of students at MBMS, there are many opportunities to meet new people.  Some things to do to ease the social transition is to:

·         Encourage your child to join a sports team, clubs, or other extracurricular actives.  MBMS has various sport teams throughout the school year as well as clubs that appeal to different interests.

·         Encourage your child to join group conversations.  Discuss how to join in without interrupting, to add something relevant to the conversation in progress, etc.

·         Talk to your child about traits that make a good friend and how words and actions can affect others.

Not only is the social aspect a transition for students but also the academics are as well.  In middle school, your child is coping with harder classes, more homework, and a whole new set of academic expectations.  It is quite typical for a student’s academic performance to drop upon entering middle school as organization and time management demands rise to a new level.  Although it may seem overwhelming, keep reminding your child that he or she can manage these changes successfully, though it will take some time and practice.

Here are some ways to academically support your child through this time of adjustment:

·         Help your student with time management skills.  Work together on a schedule for study time, breaks, chores, etc.  

·         Have your student keep track of homework through an agenda notebook/planner.

·         Have a specified time and place for homework each night.  

·         Have your student complete homework in a central place in your house where your presence is apparent.  After your student is finished his or her homework, check it for completion against agenda notebook.

·         Limit and monitor technology.  This includes cellphones and iPads.   Electronics can be distracting and may lead to mistakes when completing homework.

·         Avoid overreacting to grades.  Make sure your child gets a handle on how to meet the demands of his or her new school is the critical factor in the early weeks.

·         Help your child be his or her own advocate.  Encourage your student to discuss problems and solutions with teachers on his or her own, but be ready to step in and help as needed.

·         Stay connected to your child’s school work.  Stay on top of your child’s grades and work by logging into your Aeries account.  If a question or concern should arise, contact the teacher after your student has reached out. 

·         Keep a positive attitude about middle school.  Empathize with your child and tell him or her that it is normal for middle school students to experience fears and emotions.  Furthermore, remind your student that his or her teachers want the best for him or her.  

·         Reassure your child that he or she will become more comfortable and confident with time and that he or she has what it takes to make it all work.  

The mission of middle school is to help students learn the self-management and social skills that will be necessary to successfully cope in high school.  Self-management skills, which include the discipline to keep track of homework and the work ethic to process it on time, are essential educational responsibilities student must learn to be successful in high school.  Middle school is a minefield of developmental challenges for students and a time when significant parental supervision and support must be given.  With the support from school and home, your child will be successful during these three years at MBMS.  

Tips for Your Student: How to Approach Your Teacher with Questions

"Don't forget to talk to your teacher about that assignment!" 

Does this phrase sound familiar to you? As a parent, we want our children to take advantage of the information that teachers have and the help they can provide when our kids have questions. Sometimes, students are apprehensive or nervous to approach their teachers because they don't know exactly what to ask. Here are some tips for how to help your student communicate with their teacher:

• Have a specific question written down. Nerves can strike the best of us when we are put on the spot. Having your child write  a specific question down can help get the ball rolling. For example, "I submitted my homework on December 1st, but was given a zero, can you help me with this" or "I used these 3 ways to study for your last test, but didn't get the grade I expected, can you help me come up with some alternate ways I can prepare for your next test?"

• Choosing the right time. Ask your child what the best time to get help from their teacher is. It probably won't be during instruction time when they need to know about how to start that long-term reading assignment. It may be before school, during nutrition, lunch, or even after school. 

• Do your homework. Have your child look on PowerSchool, eBackpack or the teacher's website first to see if any of their (or your) questions can be answered. Maybe that missing assignment was completed, but just  was never submitted. 

• Record what was discussed. Teachers provide a plethora of good information at face-to-face meetings, and recording what was discussed is key to remembering the conversation later on when students get home. With nerves, sometimes it's hard for kids to catch all of the information, especially if their meeting is a quick one. Encourage them to bring their iPad or a piece of paper (with their question written on it!) to write the answers to their question. 

• Send an email. Teachers appreciate when students are able to email their teachers directly and ask how they can get help. This shows interest and initiative on the student's part.