middle school parent success 101
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Middle School Parent Success 101. Presenters: Robin Hater Erica Leppert Chele McKissick. Please use the Chrome book to take a quick pre-survey!. Organization. 7 Strategies to consider. Strategy #1: Use Checklists. Get into the habit of keeping a “to-do” list Post assignments - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Middle School Parent Success 101
Presenters: Robin HaterErica Leppert
Chele McKissick
Please use the Chrome book to take a quick pre-survey!
Organization7 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 assignments
What should be done 1st? 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 them to use the strategies Make copies of checklists and schedules if
needed
Homework7 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 Plan2:30-3:00 TV show/video game3:00-3:30 Language Arts Homework3:30-4:00 Computer4:00-4:30 Science Homework4:30-5:00 TV show5:00-5:30 Math Homework5:30-6:30 Dinner6:30-7:00 Social Studies Homework
Sample Homework Contract 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.
How do you communicate with parents?
When/how often is Progress Book updated?
Do you use Schoology, Weebly, or another website to keep parents updated?
How long should nightly homework take?
How do parents access online text books?
Team Black Pearl (6-1)
Progress Book notes Email/phone calls Planner notes Remind 101 Blogger
The minimal expectation is weekly, but many teachers update this info daily
Remind 101 Blogger: theblackpearlteam. blogspot.com
1 hour or less. It is given early in the week to allow choice and flexibility.
This was sent home with students at the beginning of the year. Contact Robin O'Neal ([email protected])
Mystic Topaz (6-2)
Weekly newsletter Team website Team email: [email protected] Remind 101 Progress Book notes Positive Post Cards Grade sheets for students with D's or F's
Minimally at least once weekly. Grades are posted anonymously in all classrooms for students to view.
Team website: www. gems6-2.com access extra worksheets, homework, news posted, etc.
LA: 20 minutes silent reading (reading log) + 2-3 additional assignments (15 min) SCI: 10-20 min./night SS: 20 minutes MA: 30 minutes
Student planner has a sheet with all login information for websites and texts
Onyx (6-3)
Progress Book notes Team website
Grades and homework are updated each week.
Team website: www.onyxgems.wordpress.com
Should take no more than 30 minutes each night.
LA: listed on syllabus MA: Digits online SCI: contact Cindy Leazer ([email protected])
6th Grade
How do you communicate with parents?
When/how often is Progress Book updated?
Do you use Schoology, Weebly, or another website to keep parents updated?
How long should nightly homework take?
How do parents access online text books?
Sapphire (7-1)
Team newsletter Progress Book notes
Grades are updated each Monday
A website is in the works, but the newsletter is the main form of communication currently
No more than 40-60 minutes
Sciencewww.pearsonsuccessnet.comMathmymathuniverse.comUsername: wcID # Password: success1
Diamond (7-2)
Team newsletter Schoology: all assignments Progress Book: grades
At least weekly Schoology. See Emily Malone for the access code [email protected]
About 20-30 min/subject Sciencewww.pearsonsuccessnet.comMathmymathuniverse.comUsername: wcID # Password: success1 LA: posted on Schoology
Star Quartz (7-3)
Team newsletter Progress Book Emails/phone calls Team brochure Team website: www.jeffcott.weebly.com Remind 101 Good news notecards Danger grade notices
Assignments and grades are posted weekly
Team website: www.jeffcott.weebly.com
About 15-20 min/subject Math www.successnetplus.com Username: wcID # Password: success1
7th Grade
How do you communicate with parents?
When/how often is Progress Book updated?
Do you use Schoology, Weebly, or another website to keep parents updated?
How long should nightly homework take?
How do parents access online text books?
Jade (8-1)
Progress Book Weekly parent email
2-3 times per week depending on the length of the assignment
Team website is being created Math: www.mrsgorman.weebly.com
30 minutes per subject Math/Science: the front of the workbooks
Ruby Reds (8-2)
Progress Book Weekly parent emails to come
At least once a week by each teacher
Working on setting up a schoology account. Should be up and running by 2nd quarter.
Total time = 1-1.5 hours Students were given access codes for all online texts. See Faith Manker [email protected]
Emerald (8-3)
Weekly Friday emails 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
Science: www.myscienceonline.com Username: wcID # Password: success1
8th Grade
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 BreakFeel free to visit local student support agencies in the front lobby!
Progressbook and
SchoologyNavigating 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
Please use the Chrome book to take a quick post-survey!