Working together for school success

 Changing bodies

Middle graders are often self-conscious about their developing bodies. How can you help? Avoid joking with or teasing your child about her appearance. Although humor lightens many situations, kids this age are apt to take it personally.

Is your middle grader's room a battle zone? Meet him halfway. For example, choose one day a month for deep cleaning. This includes vacuuming, dusting, and cleaning under the bed. On other days, he only has to pick up the basics, like dirty clothes.

 Peers and grades

Middle graders sometimes stop trying to get good grades because peers say it's not "cool." Keep your child on track by maintaining high expectations. Even if friends urge her to slack off, let her know you won't accept less than her best effort.

"Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterward." Vernon Law

 Just For Fun

Teacher: Tell me why the law of gravity is useful.

Student: If I drop something, it's easier to get it off the floor than off the ceiling!

Family traditions give kids stability and a sense of belonging. But few middle graders still enjoy the same family activities they liked years ago. So, consider what these parents did. Like them, you can adapt old traditions to new ones.

 Weekly sharing

"When my daughter entered middle school, we didn't get weekly schoolwork folders anymore. Now, every Friday we order pizza and have a special dinner together. Everyone shares one thing from school or work. She moans and groans sometimes, but we usually end up sharing at least three or four things."

Is your middle grader famous for putting things off until the last minute? Procrastination often wastes time, adds stress, and causes poor performance. Try this approach to get your child moving.

Ready. Suggest dividing a project into small steps. Your middle grader may be ready to dive in if he doesn't feel overwhelmed.

 Book 'em

"We used to read aloud on long car trips. My son started complaining that he was too old for it, so we compromised. We take turns selecting books on tape from the library to listen to in the car. His choices have sparked some great discussions. Plus, the time passes quickly."

"My kids have fun chatting online with their cousins. Now, our whole family meets my brother's and sister's families online once a month. We pop popcorn, huddle around the computer, and type in the latest news. It's a lot cheaper than long-distance phone calls, and the kids get to know their far-off relatives."

Set. Help your child set realistic goals and map them out on a calendar. She'll have an easier time staying on track if she knows exactly what to do next.

Go. Encourage your middle grader to reward himself for meeting goals. ("If I finish this poster by Friday afternoon, I'll go to the skating party Friday night.") he's more likely to stick to a goal if he feels motivated.

DONE

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