Middle School Parent Success 101 Presenters Robin Hater

Middle School Parent Success 101 Presenters: Robin Hater Erica Leppert Chele Mc. Kissick

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Organization 7 Strategies to consider

Strategy #1: Use Checklists Get into the habit of keeping a “to-do” list Post assignments Post household chores Post needed materials for class Keep a dedicated list for homework assignments Cross off completed items to give a sense of accomplishment

Strategy #2: Organize Homework Assignments Prioritize What assignments should be done 1 st? Start with one that is not too long and not too difficult Don’t save the longest/hardest for last Use the school planner to help Access online communication for clarification as needed

Strategy #3: Keep Organized Notebooks Use binders, notebooks, or folders to keep track of papers Use dividers or color-coded notebooks to separate class notes Separate “to do” and “done” folders can help organize worksheets, signed forms, etc. Remember different strategies work for different people!

Strategy #4: Conduct a Weekly Clean-Up Sort through book bags and notebooks or binders on a weekly basis Old tests and papers can be organized and kept at home Will help to “lighten the load” while also decluttering organization storage Encourage a similar practice with their locker at school

Strategy #5: Keep a Master Calendar Structure and consistency are key Use a large, wall-sized calendar to track family commitments Extra curricular activities Days off from school Major events at home and at school Note exam and project due dates Will help avoid scheduling conflicts

Strategy #6: Prepare for the Day Ahead Cut down on morning confusion Pack needed supplies (schoolwork, books, etc. ) in book bag the night before Lay out clothes, shoes, accessories the night before

Strategy #7: Provide Support While Your Child is Figuring out Their Organizational Style Not all strategies work for everyone Encourage student to “try out” different styles of organization Remind Make them to use the strategies copies of checklists and schedules if needed

Homework 7 Strategies for Helping with Your Child

Strategy #1: Environment A homework space should: Be well lit Be quiet Be public (i. e. : living room, kitchen, etc. ) Have easy access to required materials (pencils, paper, etc. )

Strategy #2: Getting Through It Establish a set time for doing homework each night. Chunking Set manageable goals for completing work. Make a plan that includes periodic breaks. Homework does not need to all be completed at one time. Use a homework contract to set expectations and consequences

Sample Homework Plan 2: 30 -3: 00 TV show/video game 3: 00 -3: 30 Language Arts Homework 3: 30 -4: 00 Computer 4: 00 -4: 30 Science Homework 4: 30 -5: 00 TV show 5: 00 -5: 30 Math Homework 5: 30 -6: 30 Dinner 6: 30 -7: 00 Social Studies Homework

Sample Homework Contract

Strategy #3: Giving Support Give help not answers Help your child research/find the answer

Strategy #4: Keep It Positive Have a positive attitude about homework. The attitude you have will be the attitude your child adopts. Give praise for effort. Create a reward system.

Strategy #5: Get Help If homework is taking your child too long (based on team info), contact their teacher.

Strategy #6: Plan Ahead Keep your family’s “master calendar” in mind when completing assignments. Your child may do more work one night and less another due to practices, appointments, etc. Create a detailed plan for completing long-term assignments. Studying should take place each night in addition to homework to avoid “cramming” the night before a test.

Strategy #7: Be Informed Know your child’s teachers’ expectations.

6 th Grade How do you communicate with parents? When/how often is Progress Book updated? Do you use Schoology, Weebly, or How long should nightly another website to keep parents homework take? updated? How do parents access online text books? Team Black Progress Book notes The minimal Remind 101 Pearl (6 Email/phone calls Planner expectation is weekly, Blogger: theblackpearlteam. -1) notes Remind 101 but many teachers blogspot. com Blogger update this info daily 1 hour or less. It is given This was sent home with early in the week to allow students at the beginning of choice and flexibility. the year. Contact Robin O'Neal (oneal_r@westcler. org) Mystic Topaz Weekly newsletter Team Minimally at least once Team website: (6 -2) website Team email: weekly. Grades are www. gems 6 -2. com teamtopaz 6. 2@gmail. com posted anonymously in access extra worksheets, Remind 101 Progress all classrooms for homework, news posted, etc. Book notes Positive Post students to view. Cards Grade sheets for students with D's or F's LA: 20 minutes silent Student planner has a sheet reading (reading log) + 2 -3 with all login information for additional assignments (15 websites and texts min) SCI: 1020 min. /night SS: 20 minutes MA: 30 minutes Onyx (6 Progress Book notes Team Grades and homework Team website: -3) website are updated each www. onyxgems. wordpress. com week. Should take no more than LA: listed on syllabus MA: 30 minutes each night. Digits online SCI: contact Cindy Leazer (leazer_c@westcler. org)

7 th Grade How do you communicate with parents? When/how often is Progress Book updated? Do you use Schoology, Weebly, How long should nightly or another website to keep homework take? parents updated? How do parents access online text books? Sapphire (7 Team newsletter Progress Grades are updated -1) Book notes each Monday A website is in the works, but the No more than 40 -60 newsletter is the main form of minutes communication currently Science www. pearsonsuccessnet. co m Math mymathuniverse. com Username: wc. ID # Password: success 1 Diamond (7 - Team newsletter Schoology: At least weekly 2) all assignments Progress Book: grades Schoology. See Emily Malone for About 20 -30 min/subject the access code malone_e@westcler. org Science www. pearsonsuccessnet. co m Math mymathuniverse. com Username: wc. ID # Password: success 1 LA: posted on Schoology Star Quartz (7 - Team newsletter Progress Assignments and 3) Book grades are posted Emails/phone calls Team weekly brochure Team website: www. jeffcott. weebly. com Remind 101 Good news notecards Danger grade notices Team website: www. jeffcott. weebly. com Math www. successnetplus. com Username: wc. ID # Password: success 1 About 15 -20 min/subject

8 th Grade How do you communicate with parents? Jade (8 - Progress Book 1) Weekly parent email When/how often is Progress Book updated? Do you use Schoology, Weebly, How long should nightly or another website to keep homework take? parents updated? How do parents access online text books? 2 -3 times per week depending on the length of the assignment Team website is being created 30 minutes per subject Math: www. mrsgorman. weebly. com Math/Science: the front of the workbooks Ruby Reds Progress Book Weekly At least once a week Working on setting up a Total time = 1 -1. 5 hours (8 -2) parent emails to come by each teacher schoology account. Should be up and running by 2 nd quarter. Students were given access codes for all online texts. See Faith Manker manker_f@westcler. org Emerald (8 - Weekly Friday emails 3) Science: www. myscienceonline. com Username: wc. ID # Password: success 1 Usually on a weekly basis Working on setting up a schoology account LA: 30 min MA: 30 -45 min SCI: 30 min SS: 20 -30 min

Common Homework Problems and Solutions

Problem #1: Child does not do his or her best work. State expectations Set a mandatory homework time Praise hard work

Problem #2: Child refuses to do homework State expectations Set mandatory homework time Assess knowledge of material If it is too hard, contact teacher Establish consequences (contract) Work with teachers

Problem #3: Child forgets to bring homework home. State expectations Set responsibilities for bringing things home Set a mandatory homework time Work with teachers Use planner

Problem #4: Child takes all night to do homework State expectations Check learning environment for distractions Use a timer and set time limits for work

Problem #5: Child won’t do homework on his or her own State expectations Chunking (split difficult tasks into smaller more manageable steps) Be consistent Foster independence; give help without giving the answer

Problem #6: Child waits until last minute to do homework State expectations Set time for homework Use a calendar to organize project timelines and establish goals

Problem #7: Child won’t do homework if you’re not home State expectations Mandatory homework time Find a way to monitor-by phone, check work when you get home Praise

15 Minute Break Feel free to visit local student support agencies in the front lobby!

Progressbook and Schoology Navigating the Technology

Progressbook To log into your account you will need the parent login and password that was given to you at the beginning of the school year. To log into Progressbook you will go to http: //grades. westcler. org. You can also access the site through the Glen Este Middle School webpage.

Schoology Schoology. com is used for communication, homework, online discussion and posts. Students and parents will need to create an account and join the courses. To join courses you must enter the code for each class. Parent codes allow you to view the content but not submit answers or post. Let’s take a look – http: //www. schoology. com

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