Middle School students are busier people. They have school, activites and lots of homework. At the start of middle school, they are for the first time facing long-range assignments that require more organization and planning. Developing the right skills now can help them both today and in the long term (high school and beyond). Here are some tips that can help with this transition.
Organize First - Encourage your child to plan each evening's studying carefully. Tackle assignments due tomorrow first. Then work on the project due next Monday. An assignment book is essential.
Special Supplies - Each afternoon, ask whether tonight's assignments require special books or supplies. Make that trip to the library or hardware store early!
Offer Feedback - Encourage your child, but don't offer answers. Questions like, "Does that answer look correct to you?" will help your child without doing her work for her.
Don't procrastinate - Leaving a large assignment until the last minute can be tempting. Push hard to encourage your child to start projects early.
Enforce a Routine - Middle schoolers have more distractions, activities, and friends. Remind them that these are all important, but homework is essential. Homework first; friends, computers, and hobbies later.
Take it with you! - Encourage your child to be sure everything is packed up for tomorrow before he goes to bed.
Using Reading Selections to Help Your Child
