Middle Years Working Together for School Success

Middle graders often wonder how math in school relates to daily life. Try weaving real math problems into you normal routine. Examples: Ask your child to figure out how much paint is needed to cover a room or to help balance your checkbook.

Some kids feel pressured by their peers to shoplift, especially during the holiday season. Remind your middle grader that shoplifting often carries severe penalties. Help her come up with ways to refuse, such as "there's probably a security camera. I don't want to get in trouble."

Like most people, teachers do their best work when they're appreciated. Encourage your youngster to write a brief note about something he really enjoyed learning so far this year. You might want to add a sentence or two yourself.

"Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Teacher: What's the best way to pass a geometry test?

Student: To know all the angles!

One Saturday a month, Rick and his mother read to kids at a local community center. Several times a year, Jenna and her Scout troop visit residents at a nearby nursing home.

Why do these middle graders volunteer their time? Because they like feeling needed and working alongside others. Plus, they're becoming more responsible and learning about people who may be different. There are many ways your child can get involved in the community. Together, explore the options below:

Would your middle grader like to help others? He can learn about people with various needs -- and really make a different. Where to volunteer: doing chores for an elderly neighbor, participating in the Special Olympics.

Your child can learn about different kinds of jobs and gain valuable experience. Where to volunteer: assisting employees of animal shelters, hospitals, or libraries.

Your middle grader might enjoy being a role model for younger kids. Her self-confidence will get a boost -- and so will the children's! Where to volunteer: helping out in local sports leagues, child-care centers, or community centers.

Bonus: Middle graders can often be very self-centered. They spend lots of time worrying about things like their looks and popularity. Volunteering can help them focus more on others and less on themselves.

Middle graders face tough choices daily. Help them learn to make smart decisions by sharing the four steps below:

Suppose, for example, your middle grader is trying to select an extracurricular activity for the coming year. She can:

1. Identify the options by looking for teams or clubs that match her interests.
2. Gather information by asking members to talk about their groups.
3. Weigh the choices by writing down the positives and negatives for joining each.
4. Make a decision and sign up!

Note: With practice, she'll become more comfortable making decisions -- and successfully handle the tougher ones, too.

PTSO Home Page | November MiddleYears | Go to Page 2 ~>