Lanier Middle School Student Services

Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit. - Artistotle

Your middle school student…Middle school students are full of contrasts. They can think abstractly but are willing to

try new things. They yearn for independence but can still

find childlike wonder in the world. They’re serious one minute, silly the next.

If we want more students to succeed, we must begin to focus more attention and time on building students’ capacity to improve their own future. – Southern Regional Education Board

Self-discipline & AcademicsRecent studies by psychologists have shown

that self-discipline is key to academic success. A study of eighth-graders found that self-

discipline was strongly associated with marking period and final GPAs.less frequently absentdid more hours of homeworkspent less time watching television began their homework earlier in the day

compared to children with low self-discipline.

The Six Habits of SuccessHSTW and MMGW

1. Build and maintain productive relationships with peers and adults.

2. Organize, manage time, and develop study skills.

3. Develop strong reading and writing skills.4. Develop strong mathematical skills.5. Set goals and make plans to reach them.6. Access resources needed to achieve goals.

#1 - Productive relationshipsConsistently and actively works toward group goalsSensitive to the feelings and learning needs of all

group membersWillingly accepts and fulfills an individual role

within the groupConsistently and actively contributes knowledge,

opinions and skillsValues the knowledge, opinions and skills of all

group members and encourages their contributionsHelps the group to identify necessary changes and

encourages group action for change

#2 – Organization & time management Planner should be used for

a variety of purposes:• Write down assignments• Track appointments• Describe goals and plans• Record grades• Show how time is spent• Chart assignments• Track habits

Keep locker and backpack neat.

Maintain class organizational system

Utilize extra time productively

Encourage your child to use their agenda book to record school assignments and plan ahead for long-term projects. Request to see what they are working on and what is coming up that is due.

#2 - Study SkillsTurn off the TV set, silence the cell phone, no video

games and limit internet activity. Make it a house rule. These can all be time-consuming distractions

that draw your child away from the task at hand – homework!

Designate a quiet well-lit spot for studying. Avoid places with distractions, such as people coming and

going.

Establish a routine that allows for balanced leisure activities.

Focus on one thing at a time.

Allow more time for homework than you think you will need.

Note Taking

Review notes shortly after a lecture Develop study questions and identify

main ideas. Fill in details for clarity. Look up and add the definitions of new

words/terminology. Identify information that is unclear

and/or questions that need to be answered.

Add symbols to highlight important ideas and key words.

Delete irrelevant information. Review the overall organization of the

material; rewrite for clarity, as needed. Write a summary of the significant

ideas.

Use the speaker’s style to identify important points

Listen for important points that might be emphasized when the speaker:

Keep up with the speaker Write only the important ideas

such as names, places, dates, events, examples, terms, definitions, causes, effects, evaluations, cross references: make it brief, but clear.

Be alert to the speaker’s stance Some lecturers attempt to

persuade, as well as inform, listeners; when applicable, note ideas/references /opinions that provide insight into the speaker’s point of view.

#3 – Reading SkillsShow your child what reading has to offer. Find a type of book that intrigues or interests

your child. Make reading material easily available. Encourage reading for reading's sake. SAT question of the day www.collegeboard.comMake it a family affair!

The Lanier family is reading for 20 minutes during silent sustained reading every Tuesday and Thursday.

#3 – Writing SkillsENCOURAGE WRITINGExchange Post-it® notes with your children.Ask children to put their wishes and wants into writing

and to suggest how they may work toward or contribute to getting what they want.

Help children create a family newsletter or website to share with family members near and far.

Make writing practical and useful in everyday lifeAsk children to find a "golden line" in their reading—a

sentence that especially attracts them and makes them aware of what clever or colorful writing looks like.

Write letters to their future selves.

#4 – Math SkillsDo assigned homework & practice skills

Helps learned skill taught during class, take notes on any questions

Encourage them to communicate with the teacherFollow up with teacher on questions from HW

Learn how to approach math problemsReview the materialMake sure they understand the words

Your child should put special or new terms into their own words. If they can explain something, they are more likely to understand it.

Prepare for tests Write a summary of what will be on test: describe each problem type,

the steps in solving the problem, and do an example

#5 – Set GoalsStudents who have developed solid goals for the

future, take their academic studies more seriously.

S = Specific, in order to reach a goal, the goal must be detailed.

M = Measurable, you need to have a way of knowing that you have reached your goal.

A = Action-oriented, what is your action plan to reach your goal?

R = Realistic, is your goal doable?T = Timely, give yourself enough time but not

too much time

#6 - Access ResourcesBlackboardPride Time – Mon -Thurs

40 minute block of time designated for intervention.

After school – Monday, Wednesday and Thursday are late bus days. Your child can let a teacher know ahead of time they need some additional assistance and teachers will establish a time with your child to come in.

Homework club – Monday, Wednesday and Thursday after school in the library.

SOAR – weekly positive reinforcement for students who have A’s, B’s and C’s, all work completed and 80+ passport points.

Tutor –Ask your child’s counselor for outside resources if this is an option you wish to pursue.

Mandate that your child utilize available resources at school to help them succeed.

Motivation6 Beliefs of Motivation:1.All students can learn given the tools to do so.2.Repeated failure teaches students to be

unmotivated. Success reinforces success.3.Everyone has the need to feel competent and

influence events in their own lives. Motivation increases if these needs are met.

4.Mastering challenging tasks improves self-concept.5.Classrooms need to be safe places to take risks in

order for learning to take place.6.Motivation increases if adults treat students

respectfully.

Help your child’s successProvide a good place to studyHelp your child set academic

goalsUse rewards and

consequencesAttend all parent programs Insist on daily attendanceSee all interim reports and

report cardsKeep in touch with the

teacher – discuss accomplishments and setbacks

Help with time managementDeal effectively with

homeworkEncourage independent

problem solving

ListenMonitor activities and jobsEncourage a healthy

lifestyleEncourage positive

activitiesBe aware and be informedSet limits and boundariesFocus success on effort,

improvement and personal progress

Help your child see him/herself as the beneficiary of doing well in school

Give praise and positive reinforcements for success

If your child isn’t succeeding?Symptoms of academic underachievement

Possible causes

Repeated failure to complete school or homework assignments on time.

Academic performance is below the student’s intelligence.

Heightened anxiety that interferes with student’s performance during tests.

Depression and low self-esteem that contribute to academic underachievement.

Poor organization or study skills that contribute to academic underachievement.

Lack of self-discipline. Depression or low self-esteem.

Power struggle.

Passive aggressiveness.

Exposed to chaotic environment.

Has become lazy. Has repeated school failures.

Poor study skills.

We’re here to help!Rebecca Aguilar, Director of

Student ServicesMitch Kamins – Cavaliers &

Patriots Latoya Kosh – Hornets & Hokies Kathryn Crump Teague – Captains

& HighlandersDayle Ranallo – Eagles & SpartansChristi Campbell – Transition

Counselor