Transcript HELPING YOUR CHILD SUCCESS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL

GMSS Guidance Staff
 Mrs. Rolf – School Counselor (6th & 7th Grades)
 Mrs. Knapp–School Counselor (8th Grade)
 Mrs. Santo –School Social Worker
 Mr. Knewitz – Psychologist
 Mrs. Gough – Speech & Language
Keys to Academic Success
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Organization
Time Management
Prioritization
Concentration
Motivation
Preparation
Social Emotional Health
Organization
 Binders
 Travels with student to each class (may have separate binder
for Math & LA)
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2-Pocket 3-hole punched plastic folders
 One per class, in order
 Color -coordinate with notebooks
 Assignment Notebook in Binder
Homework folder
 Labeled To-Do/ Finished
Extra pencils and supplies in pocket
Built-in accordion folders: place to save returned work
Organization
 Set up a calendar for weekly or bi-weekly binder
cleanouts
 Mark dates on the calendar
 Student cleans out binder
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May need assistance and/or reminder to do this
 Keep a binder at home where papers are stored
Assignment Notebook
 Clear expectation that..
 Every assignment/project is written down
 Every exam is written down
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Write down dates to study for a test at least 2 nights before
Read your assignment notebook when you sit down to do
homework each night
 Check off each assignment as you complete it
 If you keep forgetting, get creative! Ex. Take picture of
homework board
Time Management
 Designate a time and place for daily homework
 Include after school activities when setting up
homework schedule
 Upcoming test? Mark on calendar
 Study location with breaks as needed
 Chunk long-term projects into smaller segments
Prioritization
 When completing homework, help your child prioritize
 Use assignment notebook or have your child create a list
(what is due tomorrow, in 2 days, in a week)
 Create T0-Do List
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What needs to be completed each night in order to finish
assignments on-time
What can wait until the next night to be completed
 Challenging homework first/Easiest homework last
Concentration
 Limit distractions
 Siblings
 Television/Cellphone
 Where is the activity center of the house?
 Phone, TV, and Computer off-limits during homework
time.
 If child needs to use computer to type a paper or complete
research, turn off access to e-mail and games
 Clearly state your expectations - This is Homework Time,
not computer time. Monitor usage.
Study Skills Class
Topics Covered
 Setting Goals
 Learning Styles
 Studying Strategies/Study Environment
 Test-Taking Strategies
 Test Anxiety
 Project Planning
Motivation
 Talk about or make a list of the reasons why you want to
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reach the goal
Change your thoughts (“This is torture.” vs. “It will be great
to learn more about..”)
Believe you can
Set a timer & reward self with a break, snack, video game,
etc. for accomplishing your goal
Remove distractions or create obstacles to those
distractions
Give & receive help
Make time for the process
Test-Taking Strategies
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Prepare, prepare, prepare
Strategies based on Learning Style
Positive coping thoughts
Deep breaths
Visualize
Remember:
 The goal is not A’s but Learning
 Test scores do not measure your worth or your
intelligence
Homework Difficulties
 Overwhelmed by homework?
 Have one assignment/materials out at a time
 After finishing an assignment, put it away & check off assignment in
notebook
 Backpack is packed and ready to go each evening – Not in the
morning
 Unsure how to complete homework? Call someone in their class
for assistance or email the teacher
 Encourage students to become independent in talking with
teachers for extra support or clarification
 Set goals & take breaks
MAP Testing
 Implemented MAP testing to help us gage student growth
 Teacher will use the data to help drive their instruction
-Provides specific areas in both reading and math that
a teacher can target
 Adaptive assessment
-Gives students a more challenging question each time
they answer a question correctly
 Parents will receive a MAP report with the first quarter
report card
-Main goal is to help you understand your child’s
growth throughout the school year
 MAP assessments again in January and May
Social Emotional Health
Balance
 Developing & utilizing time-management skills
 Explore new interests but balance school work with free
time
Mind and Body
 Mindfulness
 Breathing
 Healthy exercise
 Proper nutrition
 Sleep
Social Changes
 Friendships
 Common interest friendships develop
 Friends becoming more important & influential
 Character reminders: being kind & respectful to all;
appreciate differences
 Conflict resolution
 Child may need guidance
 Encourage addressing the situation in-person
 Role play
 Write out thoughts & revise
Remember….
 COMMUNICATION
 PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
 ENCOURAGEMENT
 BALANCE