How they've worked for others and can work for
you, too!
The middle school years are a notoriously
tumultuous time for parents and kids alike. Children begin to mature
rapidly, test their limits with authority and put an extremely high
priority on their social circle and the opinions of friends. In the
midst of all this change, parents can have a hard time convincing their
kids that school is still "job one."
Now more than ever, students who "slack off" in the years
leading up to ninth grade will
find big problems when they hit high school and the new
Regents requirements. Doing well in middle school forms the
foundation for success in high school - and beyond.
So what can parents do to help their child avoid the common pitfalls of
middle school? We asked social workers, guidance counselors,
teachers and parents just what makes a
successful middle school student. Here is what they said:
Organization
Meeting new classmates, moving between classes without teachers and
keeping on top of assignments for five or more subjects can send a
previously organized student into an academic tailspin. To help kids
take on the added responsibilities of the middle school years,
encourage them to:
Use a student agenda notebook. Suggest they open
the planner at the beginning of each class and leave it on their
desk until they have recorded that day's homework assignment.
Encourage them to review their assignments before leaving school to
make sure they bring home the appropriate books and materials. At
home, remind them to look at the planner instead of trying to work
from memory. It is also great for helping kids remember lessons and
extracurricular activities, as well as the supplies they'll need.
Use color-coded folders or binders to keep track
of the supplies and paperwork for each subject (i.e., a blue folder,
notebook and book cover for history, red for Spanish materials.)
Store school supplies in one place at home, and
make it your children's responsibility to let you know when they run
low and need replacements.
Consider a weekly family planning meeting -
Sunday afternoon is often a good time to help everyone get organized
for the coming week.
Study skills
Unlike elementary school, where teachers break
assignments down into smaller parts, middle school assignments are
often more complex and require students to be more self-directed. To do
well, students should:
Spread project and test preparation over several
days instead of the night before a due date. This gives kids time to
do their very best work and ensures they're learning, not just
memorizing. Have kids schedule these prep sessions in their planners
so they're sure to be done along with other daily homework.
Establish a regular time and place to do daily
homework. As much as possible, be available during this time in case
your child needs help. Offer to quiz them as they get ready for a
test and ask to see their daily assignments -even those they say
they completed at school or before you got home from work. That way
you'll know if homework is being done.
Think beyond the textbook. Though kids may look
over their class notes in anticipation of a test, to do well they
need to learn to anticipate the types of questions they'll be
answering. You can help teach this skill as you quiz them (i.e., "If
you're asked to describe the main characters or the setting in the
book Hatchet, what will your answers be?")
When in doubt, ask their teachers to explain
assignments. Teachers will often give estimates on how much time a
project is likely to take or suggest what students should be
focusing on as they prepare for tests.
Finding the balance between fun and work
Choosing to make schoolwork a priority over
socializing with friends is one of the biggest challenges facing middle schoolers. To help kids put schoolwork first:
Institute a work first/play later policy. On
average, middle schoolers have one to two hours of homework
each day. This can be difficult to accomplish if they wait until 9
p.m. to start it. With "work first/play later," kids are expected to
get all of their work done before visiting friends, chatting online
or playing with the Gamecube. Explain that there will be
consequences if this policy isn't met, and be prepared to follow
through.
Encourage friendships with kids who take school
seriously. Social workers say you should be concerned if your kids
don't ever talk with their friends about schoolwork.
Avoid the "Why work hard?" trap
During the middle years, many kids try to take the
easy way out - they'd rather take a lesser grade than put in the extra
time and energy needed to do really well. To avoid this trap:
Show them the connection between their interests
and what they're learning now. Maybe they love art and computers and
think they'd like to design Web sites some day. Let them know that
they're going to need a strong foundation in math in order to
accomplish this.
Offer praise for a job well done. Though they
may not act like your approval matters, it is still very important
and it does motivate them.
Celebrate their successes. A family dinner out
to celebrate a solid mid-year report can boost their spirits and
encourage them to keep putting in the effort.
Challenge them to take on the more difficult
course work. Sometimes a little nudge can make the difference
between coasting and really excelling. By tackling an advanced
placement class during eighth grade they'll also be freeing up time
to take desired electives in high school.
For permission to reprint this article, please contact the Capital
Region BOCES Communications Service at (518) 786-3263 or email us at
dbushsuf@gw.neric.org.
